Nope.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Russia
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Nope.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Unmarked Taxi Robbery
Unmarked taxis are used to facilitate robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and theft. Use only authorized taxi services, especially when arriving at major airports.
Bogus Trolley Inspectors
Individuals may pose as trolley inspectors to extort bribes from passengers under the guise of checking tickets. While becoming rarer, this remains a threat.
Police Bribery
Corrupt policemen may target tourists for bribes. If stopped, do not panic; ask for a receipt and the names of the officers involved.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Mandatory Passport Carriage
You must carry your passport at all times while traveling. Police may demand to see it to verify your registration status.
Registration Requirement
Travelers must be registered within seven business days of arrival. Staying in a hotel provides automatic registration and a confirmation paper.
Metro Security Inspections
Guards at metro stations conduct random inspections of carry-on items and backpacks. They may require you to boot your laptop or show your phone screen.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Measles, Rabies, Tick-borne Encephalitis
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
The visa policy of Russia deals with the requirements of foreign nationals to enter Russia.
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Russia. Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals, such as: large gatherings, such as concerts popular tourist sites seasonal, festive, or religious activities in public places areas that are not controlled by security, such as open-air events and markets transportation networks Terrorist attacks have taken place in Moscow and St Petersburg and other Russian cities in recent years, resulting in large numbers of casualties. Russia’s aviation has also been targeted. Examples of recent attacks include: in March 2024, 145 people were killed in an attack at the Crocus City Concert Hall in Krasnogorsk near Moscow Additional counter-terrorism procedures and restrictions may still be in place across the country. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.
Source: UK FCDO →Real, not invented
Cultural & legal notes
LGBT+ travellers
Homosexuality is not illegal in Russia but there are considerable legislative restrictions which target the LGBT+ community. In January 2024 a Russian Supreme Court judgement came into force banning the so-called ‘international LGBT movement’ and designating it as ‘extremist’. ‘LGBT propaganda’ legislation bans people from promoting ‘non-traditional sexual relations’. If charged, foreign citizens could face: fines up to 15 days in jail deportation Attitudes towards the LGBT+ community and LGBT+ issues are less tolerant than in the UK and vary in different locations. Government officials have made derogatory comments to LGBT+ individuals. Same-sex couples showing affection in public may receive negative attention. There are no laws to protect LGBT+ people from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. Recent laws targeting LGBT+ communities include: in 2012, Moscow Pride was banned for 100 years in 2022, a ban on the ‘demonstration of LGBT information, prom
Source: UK FCDO →Right now
In the news the last few days
- Dagestan airport antisemitic rioter who hunted Israeli passengers killed in Ukraine2026-08-13
- Syria : Former President Bashar al - Assad is sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity 2026-08-11
- Syria : Former President Bashar al - Assad is sentenced to death in absentia for2026-08-11
- Syria : Former President Bashar al - Assad is sentenced to death in absentia2026-08-11
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / F · 230V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 102 or 112 / ambulance: 103 or 112 / fire: 101 or 112
Tipping
While tipping was traditionally frowned upon in Russia it has been emerging after the fall of socialism. Tipping is not necessary, but expected. A tip exceeding 10% would be unusual. Some restaurants may include service into the amount, but that is very rare; if a service charge is included then a tip is not expected. Round up when paying your bill at a restaurant, particularly if it happens to be
Cash vs. Card
Throughout its history Russia has had various versions of the ruble (рубль), which is divided into 100 kopeks (копеек). The latest manifestation, whose ISO code is RUB (replacing the RUR), was introduced in 1998 (although all notes and first issues of coins bear the year 1997). All pre-1998 currency is obsolete. The ruble is sometimes symbolised using ₽, but Wikivoyage will use руб to denote the c
Zoom in
5 Russia cities on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (8 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- reddit — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09