How much cash should I take on a trip to Russia?

Question by Umbrella: How much cash/rubles should I take on a 2 week trip to Russia?
I’ll be going to Kuzmolovo for a week working in a clinic, and then two weekends touring St Petersburg. Aside from the hotel costs, how much US cash versus Rubles should I keep on hand, knowing that I can use a credit card when needed or withdraw from an ATM if necessary? Should I bring all US and exchange it there or do it here? I’d prefer answers if you have experience traveling, especially to Russia.

Answers and Views:

Answer by MARC
i like to use credit cards (debit actually) to avoid bank charges. ATMs can charge $ 25 per use, depending on the bank. call customer service and ask. debit cards are USUALLY cheaper. do not change in usa, do not change much at the airport. $ 10 (no more than $ 20) should get you to the city center on buses. they usually charge for bags if they are big. (Kuzmolovo is called -посёлок- a suburb, i think the term is) but they will have everything like a city. banks, schools, stores, etc.
if you buy $ 150 hugo boss jeans, the shop will certainly take you- i mean, your credit card! (boss MAY be imitation- buy these fashions in usa where counterfeit is less likely) i saw in turkey (where russians shop) spools of LEVIS labels, CALVIN KLEIN, VERSACE etc, whatever you want to make!
a salary is about $ 200 for a floor cleaner to $ 400 for a teacher. that is in udmurtiya. spb prices are some higher, but not extremely. i doubt a teacher gets $ 700 even in moscow. you will of course want souvenirs. many can be had at “normal” prices. some may be exhorbitant. antique shops sell interesting things from the past if you’re into that sort thing! but avoid main street antique shops- high tourist prices!! try to shop in an open-air market. talk down prices. (not in stores!) unless you want to go to expensive discos and western restaurants, $ 500 past housing costs should leave you with plenty. always have 1000 rubles available. ($ 33) keep $ 100 also for changing if you are out shopping. a souvenir t-shirt was $ 10 last i saw, some $ 15. (too high for me!!) clothing is often chinese and usually cheaply made. you can spend like in usa- $ 2 for coffee (and VERY good in spb) or a cup of instant for 30c. a cake slice to go with it may be 30c to $ 1 or more.
spb has a district with shows, circus, movies, concerts, classical music, theatre ALL WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE! the tickets are “about” $ 10 for most (a couple years ago…) metro and buses are the way to get around. there should also be trains from Kuzmolovo to spb.
so if you really spend, just think what you would want in usa and prices are about alike. i hope you have a great time in russia!

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