PRACTICALITIES

Currency

Ruble (RUB)

Official languages

Russian

Time

GMT + 3

Calling code

+7

Area codes

Belgrade: 4722, Ivanovo: 4932, Kaliningrad: 4112, Kursk: 4712, Moscow: 495, St Petersburg: – 812, Smolensk: 4812

Internet TLD

.ru

Shopping

Generally shops are open Monday–Saturday from 9am to 7pm.

National holidays

New Year’s Day	January 1
Orthodox Christmas	January 7
Day of the Defenders of the Motherland	February 23
International Women’s Day	March 8
Spring and Labour Day	May 1 & 2
Victory in Europe Day	May 9
Russia Day	June 12
National Unity Day	November 4
Constitution Day	December 12

National dish

Beef Stroganoff – beef goulash with onions, mushrooms and peppers
Schi – cabbage soup with meat and onions
Borscht – beetroot soup
Okroshka – summer cold vegetable soup
Solyanka – spicy and sour soup made from meat or fish
Sieliodka pod szuboj – fish salad
Olivier – salad from meat and vegetables

Electricity

Russia’s electricity runs on 220V/50Hz.

Passport/Visa

All travelers (except citizens of some former Soviet republics) need a visa, valid passport and return ticket to enter Russia. In order to obtain a visa travelers need an invitation from a Russian citizen or a Russian company/agency. Visas are issued in Russian embassies and consulates. There are different types of visas:
- transit visas for those who intend to travel via Russia to another country;
- tourist visas for travellers who plan one short visit in Russia (up to 14 days);
- business multiple/double/single visas for 1,5-month to 3-month stays;
- private visas for travellers who plan to visit friends and get registered with them.

Useful numbers

Ambulance: 03
Fire Brigade: 01
Police: 02