How can I travel round Russia on a budget?

Question

Hi, I'm an eighteen-year-old buck from England. I'm looking to spend a month travelling independently around Russia on a budget of around £1000 (approx 50140 roubles) - including flights from London to Moscow and back. I have my visa from October 5th - November 3rd, but I don't have much money. I'd like to do some cool things, mix with people, get more out of it all than I would if I went on some tour, but i also don't want to spend too much money, which rules out my original plan of going on the trans-siberian railway.

Can anyone suggest to me any good ideas? Incidentally, I know a guy in Moscow who will probably let me stay in their flat, but I don't want to spend all my time around Moscow, obviously. If there are any tours which don't attract the usual crowd who expect to stay in plush hotels, go to resturaunts and other pricey things tailor-made for tourists, then I'd be glad to hear about them.

Also - does anybody know how easy it would be for me to get around Russia -i..e how many times will I be stopped from going somewhere because I've got the wrong visa and refuse to bribe to police?

Thanks very much!

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

If you can get a free place to stay in Moscow you will be okay. Otherwise expect to spend between 500-1000rb a night on a hostel. Hotels are right out of your budget. Most museums and attractions charge a foreigner's price, which tends to be about 3x more than Russians pay to attend. Most museums don't charge more than a few hundred roubles, but I know of one particular Cold War museum/bunker that runs something like 2000rb a visit for foreigners.

Bars and clubs are awesome in Moscow, but again be prepared to spend money. Not only are most venues face-controlled, but many charge upwards of 200-300rb to get in, or get anywhere near the dance floor.

Meals in Moscow will run you at least 150-200rb if you can stomach eating at Pavaroshka or some other cheap dive. Buying from the produkti is your best bet, but even then be prepared to spend at least 200rb a day on food unless you plan on eating Doshyrak noodles the whole time you're there.

As for getting around, as long as you have a basic understanding of Russian you'll be fine. If you can't read cyrillics and have a habit of standing out in a crowd, be prepared to be lost in a country where nobody will be very sympathetic.

That being said it's a great country and well worth a visit or twenty. Good luck.

Source(s):

Been twice just this year

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

I ought to give credit to FT also for his sage advice on flights and on the police, which I will certainly follow, but this particular answer offers a good overview of everything else so...braptastic!

Answer 2

Hi!
I saw your question, and sorry i don't actually have an answer coz i've never been to Russia, lol but im an 18 year old girl from Australia and sometime soon i want to do something similar to what you're doing!! I've always wanted to go to Russia and someday will probably go on a trip alone there. It would be cool to chat with you for a bit before you go and then also when you get home again so i can hear about all your experiences so i know what to expect..! lol. So if you want to talk sometime, you can write to my email: [e-mail] and tell me if you have msn or something..! It would be really cool to chat with you!
seeya:)

Answer 3

£1000 isn't going to get you very far, especially if you are heading to Moscow.

If direct flights are expensive, you could consider looking at RyanAir flights to Riga. You can then take the sleeper train to Moscow (open carriage is the cheaper ticket). Make sure your visa has started when you cross the border, not when you arrive at your destination.

When you see the police, alter course and walk with purpose. I only got stopped once in two years. Have the British embassy number stored in your phone.

Accommodation - http://www.hostelworld.com/countries/rus…

Best of luck.