euro's in Russia?
 

:helpsmilie: does anyone know if euro's are accepted in the european end of russia?

i'm hopefully travelling from london to moscow, and wondered if euros would be welcome as well as the rubel.

aside from a couple of three day rides in the UK this is my first decent tour. lifes got quite boring so i'm going to spend my minimal savings on a tour of europe. i'm currently like a child before christmas :mchappy:

thanks for your help,

rdjc

To buy a beer?
Day to day life in Russia is pretty much Rubels. If you offer enough euro's everything is for sale off course.

I agree with above, dollars are accepted in hotels and the like and euros in some places. Be wary that to get Rubbels changed back when you cross into europe can be a problem. I had several major banks in Germany and Holland refuse to accept them. So I managed to cash them in when I got home in the village post Office !. note you must bring out less cash than you enter with unless you keep reciepts for the customs chaps at the border.Have a great trip.Jake.

thanks for the advice.

it's nice to be able to speak to people who actually travel and have a bit of life in them. most travel advice seems to just tell you about places full of tourists, why go abroad if your not going to see the country you're in?

i haven't told my mates about going onto moscow, other than i'm going to france. they'll just find a hundred reasons why i shouldn't. BORING!!

thanks again

rdjc

Moscow. Sure
 

No! don't listen to friends! Moscow is great! Marveless city. Anyone who has the oportunity should go to Moscow. Really, it's very high on my number one city list. I could spend several weeks in Moscow and still be amazed.

I agree with Robbert. Moscow is the most "happening" city in the World. Remiscent of London in the 60s.
I got back yesterday afternoon from my 16th visit in 2+ years and can't wait for my next trip in May, by bike this time!

Every major road (and many minor ones) in Moscow Region have places offering to change US Dollars, Euros and UK£ into Roubles, and vice-versa. The rates are as good as anywhere so little need to compare them. About $1 = 26 Roubles. £1 + 50 Roubles

However, for daily transactions you need Roubles in your pocket - or rather wallet. Coins are generally thrown away as a waste of space.

The real paradox is that many prices are spoken of, and quoted, in Dollars but they will not accept them as direct payment. They only accept Roubles as payment but are happy to use their own adverse rate of exchange - even their airlines do this.

Bancomats (ATMs) often give the choice of giving money in both Roubles or Dollars !

How prevalent are Bancomats in Chita, Khabarovsk, and Vladivostok these days?
And do they dispense $$$s or Roubles?

Bancomats of 'private' (ie commercially owned) banks in major cities generally offer both US Dollars and Roubles.
Those operated by 'state' banks like Sberbank (Сбербанк) only give out Roubles.

There should be some Bancomats in all major regional cities.

But be aware that Bancomats out on the street, or freestanding units in stores etc, are subject to the potential of fraud through unauthorised access to your account. Bancomats within bank premises are more secure.

I don't know any possiple problems with RUR or USD in Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, CHita, Ulan-Ude.
There are many different banks and ATMs in these cities. And you can get money from ATM by rubles even if you have USD or EURO card account.

Bancomats are everywhere

So are Obmen Valuti (Cambio, Bureau de Change, Wechsel)

Cash is not an issue, neither is getting it. You cant legally bring more than 10 grand US into the country without declaring it to customs.

By far and away the simplest thing to do there is take a credit card and a debit card.

Like Tony, I visit virtually monthly for the past 6 years. Moscow has a buzz and energy that nowhere else has. It is a happening place, but you need to be prepared to spend cash to enjoy it, so if bringing in cash euros is your plan, bring in a load of them.

And if you think its expensive for EURO holders, then pity the US Dollar holders ... on top the very high and rapidly rising prices in Moscow, the Ruble is at 7 hear highs vs the US dollar. So in USD terms, the prices in Moscow are rising twice as fast.