I want to travel to Russia. How could i find a reliable interpreter guide?

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1. Daniil Rabinovich says

   Good luck on finding an interpreter. This may be something you will have to find once you actually arrive into the city you are going. If you have any needs more questions, feel free to contact me via email. I have been helping people with russian travels for 15 years. Thanks!

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2. ashotmaria1 says

   Depending on which city (cities) you choose to visit, you can find a trustworthy translator, and even translator + driver, by asking Americans or Europeans of Russian ancestry — I mean the kind born outside of Russia — who have traveled there before you. If you are in a major city, chances are you can pay a visit to a local Russian Orthodox or OCA (Orthodox Church in America) church. There are services every Sunday, and if you time it right — check their schedules; many have websites, and figure Sunday Liturgy services are from 75-120 minutes long — then politely approach the priest after the service is concluded, when people are leaving, and ask them to refer you to someone of Russian ancestry who has traveled to Russia in the past 3-4 years. Pretty much everyone knows somebody. (Leave the church a small donation for the help, even just $ 5.) If you can't find a church within your area, do an internet search for the nearest OCA or ROCOR diocesan or parish website, and follow the "contact" links until you can reach someone. You should get a decent reply without too much effort. Most of the clergy is quite helpful and accessible by internet. You can get an email address or phone number from the traveler, who will quite certainly have some contact over in Russia, and interview your prospects that way, or over the phone. By going through a church-connected liaison you have a better probability of getting ethical help, even from people you haven't met before. Give yourself enough time to plan ahead. Keep in mind that not all professional translators charge high rates — and also that being very worried about costs may also put you at risk of losing more in the final outcome. So use your common sense. A safe bet is to book them for just one day or two initially, and then see how you like it. Do NOT expect to get a half-decent interpreter for any less than $ 40 for an 8-10 hr day, plus expenses (meals, taxi). Remote areas may be considerably more expensive. Also, translators, in all countries, operate with a minimum charge and a minimum half-day booking — there's simply no point in booking a 2-hr appointment. The days of the $ 5/day tour guide, or the interpreter who works for a tube of toothpaste, are long gone.

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