General information abour Russia

q Time zones

Moscow is 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). There are 8 different time zones in Russia, stretching to the Russian Far East, where cities like Khabarovsk are 11 hours ahead of GMT.

qq National Holidays

  • New Year's Day : 1-2 January
  • Russian Christmas : 7 January
  • Women's Day : 8 March
  • Spring & Labor Day : 1-2 May
  • Victory Day : 9 May
  • Russian Independence Day : 12 June
  • Russian Constitution Day : 12 December

 

q Climate

Moscow's average temperatures are as follows:

q

Climate conditions in Moscow
January
-15C
 July
22C
February
-18C		 August
19C
Mars
-8C		 September
15C
April
4C		 October
6C
May
12C		 November
-7C
June
20C		 December
-12C


q Currency information

The Russian monetary is rouble. There is no limit to the amount of foriegn currency allowed to be brought into the Russia. However all the money brought into the country (including travelers checks) must be declared upon entering the country. In Russia tourists can exchange any amount of currency for rubles at any of the following locations: authorized Russian banks, exchange offices of foreign currency, offices located in major hotels, international aiports and seaports. It is prohibited to take roubles out of Russia. Travelers can exchange unused roubles back to foreign authorized bank certificates.

Very important - do not exchange currency with individuals. Better exchange course is always in small exchange office (one can find a large number of exchange offices in the center of Moscow) marked as " OBMENNYI PUNKT" or "OBMEN VALIUTY".

q Business Hours

Offices 9.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. Monday-Friday
Banks 9.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. Monday-Friday
Museums 10.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday

q Electricity

The electric voltage in Russia is 220 Volts AC, 50 Hertz. Some hotels can provide a transformer to convert it to 110-120 AC. One well need a European converter while in Russia.

Telephone

International calls
The international country code of Russia is 007, then the city code and the telephone number. In Russia international calls can be made either directly or through an operator. To dial directly you must dial "8", wait for an uninterrupted sound, then dial "10", followed by the country code, area code and the number. In most major hotels dialing international can be done directly from your hotel room. In same hotels you must request an international line well in advance of the actual call which can be done by dialing "8-194". To obtain further information about international telephone calls dial "8-190". If you encounter any difficulties with your international call, dial "8-198".

Local calls
Local calls can also be made directly from your hotel room or a public telephone by using telephone card which can be purchased at kiosks or any Metro station. Prices for token and telephone cards may change often. Telegrams There are several ways to send a telegram from Russia. Local telegrams can be send from any post office, while international telegrams can be send by dialing "06" directly from your hotel room or through the hotel service desk. International telegrams can also be send from the Central telegraph office ( Tverskaya Ul., 17) or Sheremetyevo airport.

Useful telephone number

Fire brigade 01
Police 02
Ambulance 03
Gas servie 04
Information 09
Risque 937-9-911

Medical
Medicineask 138-84-09
Medhelp 434-00-34
Diplomatic clinic
    Inquiries 237-83-88
    First aid 237-39-04
Clinic for foreign residents 254-43-26
Dentist 24 hours 264-65-21
Dentist children 148-55-22
Eye doctor 24 hours 299-61-28

Information
Lost children 404-99-82
Lost documents 200-99-57

Air transport:
Inquiries 155-09-22
International inquiries 156-80-19
Tickets 155-50-03

Railway:
Station inquiries 266-90-00/266-99-99
Tickets 266-83-33

Taxi:
Ordering 927-00-00

Business:
Business inquiries 299-00-04
Customers inquiries 943-50-01
Telegrams by phone 927-20-02
Legal service by phone 946-25-50
Accommodation 266-30-32

Tipping

Tipping is not required in Russia and no one should feel obliged to do so. However, many visitors use tipping as a way to show appreciation for a job well done and this is certainly acceptable. such gestures ae voluntary and at the discetion of the visitor.

Medical services

Medical services are availablein all cities and towns throughout Russia.First aid, excluding hospitalisation, is available free os charge to all foreign travelers. However, foreigners are to pay for treatment in hospitals and out-patient clinics.
Any hotel service desk will be able to assist your require in any medical assistance. Pharmacies are located in many large hotels and some even have a doctor on duty. Vaccinations are not required prior to entering Russia.
Medical services are available in all cities and towns throughout Russia. First aid, excluding hospitalization, is available free of charge to all foreign travelers.