Russia

Taxi fraud

Never trust drivers who wave to you and offer to take you on a trip at a very democratic price. Many tourists have been deceived by these cheaters. Their “meters” are often ineffective or not working properly, which makes the final cost of the ride seem absurd. They never allow their clients to leave without paying the required amount. Sometimes they can lock you out and demand that you pay the money. They feel that no punishment will befall them so it might be dangerous to argue. We recommend only using reliable taxi companies.

Ordering a Meal

Pay attention to the price information in Russian restaurants. Sometimes, they will indicate the price of the meal, but not the 100g of food. This is common with meals such as lamb, roast fish, and barbeque. It can be difficult to predict the final portion size.

The final cost may be 3-4 times more than you expected. However, the majority of reliable Moscow and St Petersburg restaurants will now list their costs per person so it’s a great idea to pick a restaurant with a high TA.

Theatre

If a stranger offers to sell you tickets to Bolshoi, be careful. Many tourists have been ripped off by ticket-takers. They usually sell low-quality tickets at astronomical prices.

Bolshoi and Mariinsky both offer online tickets, but they sell quickly. The tickets can usually be purchased 3 months ahead of the event. The Bolshoi or Mariinsky websites will allow you to order tickets online.

Photos

Many people on the streets would be willing to take your money. You will find street performers, dove and owl owners as well as famous people doubles, life-sized puppets, street actors with gold or silver paint, and other people who are persistently open to taking your picture. They rarely mention the cost of the photo. They will often make you take the photo together and then demand your money. This can sometimes be rude and aggressive. They are not satisfied with what you pay them, and will always want more. We would recommend that you avoid them and use their services.

Guides Available On-The-Spot

After arriving in Moscow, most people head to Red Square to view the Kremlin. Many people want someone to accompany them when they see how large Moscow is and how difficult it is to get lost. You will find many guides at Red Square and other locations. Because they are equipped with megaphones, they can be easily identified and offer tours at a very low cost. Although they are not likely to cause harm or be aggressive, they can tell nonsense about Russian culture and history. We recommend that you only use licensed guides if you don’t want to hear the low-quality tours.