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Tourism in Russia has been growing rapidly in the years following the collapse of the former Soviet Union in 1991. Most of the tourism is centered on the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, since these cities are the sites of some of the most famous attractions of Russia, such as the Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, and the Kremlin in Moscow, and the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the State Hermitage Museum, and the Church of the Savior on Blood in St. Petersburg, which recently celebrated the tricentennial of its founding in 2003. Tourists are attracted by the very rich cultural heritage and rather tumultuous history of Russia, and this is reflected in the popularity of Russia's most famous attractions. For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and... For other uses, see Red Square (disambiguation). ... St Basils Cathedral The Intercession Cathedral (Pokrovsky Cathedral, better known as the Cathedral of St. ... Moscow Kremlin in the 19th century. ... For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ... The Peter and Paul Cathedral is located inside the Peter and Paul Fortress in St. ... The State Hermitage Museum (Russian: ) in Saint Petersburg, Russia is one of the largest museums in the world, with 3 million works of art (not all on display at once), [1] and one of the oldest art galleries and museums of human history and culture in the world. ... The Church as seen from Griboedov Canal. ...

Attractions

Popular tourist destinations in the major cities include the following:

• The Tretyakov Gallery (Moscow)
• The Bolshoi Theater (Moscow)
• The Red Square (Moscow)
• The Kremlin (Moscow)
• St. Issac's Cathedral (St. Petersburg)
• The canals and waterways of St. Petersburg, located on the river Neva. St. Petersburg is sometimes known as the "Venice of the North" and is famed for its "white nights" during the summer
• The Summer Palace of Peter the Great (outskirts of St. Petersburg)
• The Church of the Savior on Blood (St. Petersburg)
• The Russian Museum, the largest repository of Russian fine art in St. Petersburg

The Russian countryside tends to be quite rural and undeveloped. Vast stretches of tundra, taiga woodlands, and steppe stretch across vast expanses of the Eurasian continent -- Russia is a country that spans 11 time zones. In the countryside, there are many little towns with old cloisters and castles. Some notable cities and towns, which have their own own rich cultures and traditions, include Kaliningrad (formerly Königsberg) on the Baltic Sea coast, Novgorod (a famed midieval town) on Lake Ilmen, Tver, Vologda, Nizhni Novgorod, Kirov, Ekaterinburg, Rostov and Kazan. For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Red Square (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ... Moscow Kremlin in the 19th century. ... For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and... The River Neva (Russian: Нева́) is a 74 km-long Russian river flowing from Lake Ladoga (Ладожское Озеро, Ladožskoe Ozero) through the Karelian Isthmus (Карельский Перешеек, Karelskij PereÅ¡eek) and the city of Saint Petersburg (Санкт-Петербург, Sankt-Peterburg) to the Gulf of Finland (Финский Залив, Finskij Zaliv). ... White night is a night on which it never gets completely dark, because the sun does not descend completly far below the horizon. ... The Summer Palace is the name of three Russian royal residences in St Petersburg, of which only one survives to the present. ... Peter the Great or Pyotr Alexeyevich Romanov (Russian: Пётр I Алексеевич Pyotr I Alekse`yevich, Пётр Великий Pyotr Veli`kiy) (9 June 1672 – 8 February 1725 [30 May 1672–28 January 1725 O.S.][1]) ruled Russia from 7 May (27 April O.S.) 1682 until his death, jointly ruling before 1696 with his... The Church as seen from Griboedov Canal. ... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and... Russian Museum - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and... For other uses, see Tundra (disambiguation). ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... A steppe in Western Kazakhstan in early spring In physical geography, a steppe (Russian: - , Ukrainian: - , Kazakh: - ), pronounced in English as , is a plain without trees (apart from those near rivers and lakes); it is similar to a prairie, although a prairie is generally considered as being dominated by tall grasses... Cloister of Saint Trophimus, in Arles, France A cloister (from latin claustrum) is a part of cathedral, monastic and abbey architecture. ... For other uses, see Castle (disambiguation). ... Kaliningrad (Russian: ; Lithuanian: Karaliaučius; German  , Polish: Królewiec; briefly Russified as Kyonigsberg), is a seaport and the administrative center of Kaliningrad Oblast, the Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea. ... Velikiy Novgorod (Russian: ) is the foremost historic city of North-Western Russia, situated on the M10(E95) federal highway connecting Moscow and St. ... Ilmen (Russian: ) is a historically important lake in the Novgorod Oblast of Russia, formerly a vital part of the Trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks. ... Tvers coat of arms depicts grand ducal crown placed on a throne. ... St. ... Area  - Total 260,000 mi² Population  - City (2003)  - Metropolitan 1,334,249 2 million approx. ... Kirov can refer to: Sergey Kirov, Bolshevik revolutionary and Soviet communist The north-eastern European Russian city Kirov, center of Kirov Oblast The Soviet warship Kirov, now of the Russian Navy, lead ship of the Kirov class of battlecruisers. ... Photograph of snow-covered Yekaterinburg Yekaterinburgs Church on the Blood, built on the spot where the Tsar and his family were murdered. ... Rostov (Russian: Росто́в; Old Norse: Rostofa) is one of the oldest towns in Russia and an important tourist centre of the so called Golden ring. ... This article is about the capital city of Tatarstan. ...

Tourists are also drawn to the cruises on the big rivers like Volga, Lena or Yenisei as well as journeys on the famous Trans-Siberian railway, the third-longest continuous service that stretches from Moscow to its eastern terminous of Vladivostok at the coastline of the Pacific Ocean. Other destinations include the Golden Ring region towns of Yaroslavl, Vladimir, Rostov, Suzdal, Uglich, and Pereslavl-Zalessky. For other meanings of the word Volga see Volga (disambiguation) Волга Length 3,690 km Elevation of the source 225 m Average discharge  ? m³/s Area watershed 1. ... The Lena River ( Russian: Ле́на) in Siberia is the 10th longest river in the world and has the 9th largest watershed. ... Енисей Length 5,550 (4,102) km Elevation of the source m Average discharge 19,600 m³/s Area watershed 2,580,000 km² Origin  ? Mouth Arctic Ocean Basin countries Russia The Yenisei basin, Lake Baikal, and the cities of Dikson, Dudinka, Turukhansk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk... For the Fabergé egg, see Trans-Siberian Railway (Fabergé egg). ... For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ... Vladivostok (Russian: ) is the administrative center of Primorsky Krai, Russia, situated close to the Russo-Sino border and North Korea. ... The Golden Ring (Russian: Золото́е Кольцо́) is a ring of cities northeast of Moscow, the capital of the Russian Federation. ... Yaroslavl (Russian: ) is a city in Russia, the administrative center of Yaroslavl Oblast, located 250 km north-east of Moscow at . ... Population 315,954 (2002) Time zone Moscow (MSK/MSD), UTC +0300 (MSK)/+0400 (MSD) Latitude/Longitude Vladimir (Russian: ) is an old city in Russia. ... Rostov (Russian: Росто́в; Old Norse: Rostofa) is one of the oldest towns in Russia and an important tourist centre of the so called Golden ring. ... This article is about the Russian town. ... Transfiguration cathedral in the kremlin Uglich (Russian: У́глич, pronounced ooglitch) is a historic town in Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia, on the Volga River. ... Pereslavls most famous ruler, Alexander Nevsky, was baptized at the Saviour Cathedral (1152-57). ...

While Russia, as a whole, may be the coldest country in the world, parts of the country have temperate climates, and most of the country has temperate weather during the summer. The coasts of the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea occur near the temperate Mediterranean climate zone due to its adjacency to the Mediterranean Sea. A popular vacationing destination is the city of Sochi, known for its beaches. The Crimea is also a favourite vacation resort; even though this autonomous region is in Ukraine, many people associate it with Russia because of its long historical connection to Russia. Yalta is the best known vacation center, though Sevastopol is also well known. For other uses, see Black Sea (disambiguation). ... The Caspian Sea (Russian: Каспийское море; Kazakh: Каспий теңізі; Turkmen: Hazar deňizi; Azeri: XÉ™zÉ™r dÉ™nizi; Persian: دریای خزر Daryā-ye Khazar) is the largest lake on Earth by area[2], with a surface area of 371,000 square kilometers (143,244 sq mi) and a volume of 78,200 cubic kilometers (18...  Areas with Mediterranean climate A Mediterranean climate is a climate that resembles the climate of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin. ... Composite satellite image of the Mediterranean Sea. ... Sochi (Russian: , IPA: [soʨɪ]) is a Russian resort city, situated in Krasnodar Krai just north of the southern Russian border. ... For other uses, see Beach (disambiguation). ... Motto Процветание в единстве(Russian) Protsvetanie v edinstve(transliteration) Prosperity in unity Anthem Нивы и горы твои волшебны, Родина(Russian) Nivy i gory tvoi volshebny, Rodina(transliteration) Your fields and mounts are wonderful, Motherland Location of Crimea (red) with respect to Ukraine (light blue). ... Yalta (Ukrainian: , Russian: , Crimean Tatar: ) is a city in Crimea, southern Ukraine, on the north coast of the Black Sea. ... Location Map of Ukraine with Sevastopol highlighted. ...

Russian cuisine is rich and varied, due to the vast and multicultural expanse of the country. It draws its foundations from peasant food of the rural populations and tends to be dominated by cabbage, sour cream, root vegetables, and seasonal produce, fish, and meats. Some of the more distinctive Russian dishes include schi,borsch, blini, pirozhki, and pelmeni. Russia is also famous for its caviar, though severe overfishing has threatened the fisheries (primarily sturgeon) that provide the source of this delicacy. Russian vodka is also quite famous; Russians are heavy drinkers, and the Russian Cyrillic word for vodka (водка) differs from water (вода) by only one letter. Russian cuisine derives its rich and varied character from the vast and multicultural expanse of Russia. ... Peasant Foods (or poor peoples food, sometimes including traditional foods) are those dishes specific to a particular culture made from accessible and inexpensive ingredients and usually prepared and spiced to make them more palatable. ... Borsch (Polish: barszcz, Russian and Ukrainian: борщ, also borshch, borscht) is a type of hearty Eastern and Central European vegetable soup, the beet roots being the defining ingredient. ... A 1936 Soviet poster advertising pelmeni. ... For the band of the same name, see Caviar (band). ... Sturgeon is a term for a genus of fish (Acipenser) of which 26 species are known. ... Vodka bottling machine, Shatskaya Vodka Shatsk, Russia Vodka (Polish: wódka, Russian: водка) is one of the worlds most popular distilled beverages. ...

Practical Matters

Despite these attractions, traveling in Russia presents many logistical challenges for foreigners, particularly those coming from Western countries. While Russia is becoming more open in recent years, it is still strongly recommended for prospective visitors to make extensive preparations for their visit and to be prepared for many potential problems that could arise during their visit.

Language

A first and foremost challenge that greets new visitors to Russia is the language barrier. The Russian language uses the Cyrillic alphabet, so reading and interpreting signs often present a challenge, since these signs frequently do not have the transliteration equivalent written in the Latin alphabet familiar to most Westerners.^{[citation needed]} Furthermore, English is not spoken or understood except in the major cities, and even then, most people know perhaps just a few words if at all (though this is slowly changing).^{[citation needed]} Visitors speaking English are almost immediately recognized as foreigners, however, and accordingly are frequently charged more for goods and services (compared to the Russian locals).^{[citation needed]} Almost all languages are spoken in Russia. If you go there today, you might hear languages from Italian to Tartar.^{[citation needed]} Russian ( , transliteration: , ) is the most geographically widespread language of Eurasia and the most widely spoken of the Slavic languages. ... The Cyrillic alphabet (or azbuka, from the old name of the first two letters) is an alphabet used for several East and South Slavic languages; (Belarusian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Russian, Rusyn, Serbian, and Ukrainian) and many other languages of the former Soviet Union, Asia and Eastern Europe. ... The Latin alphabet, also called the Roman alphabet, is the most widely used alphabetic writing system in the world today. ... Tartar may refer to: Look up Tartar in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Transportation

The country's infrastructure is still poor in many areas; highways are not well-maintained, poorly marked and rather bumpy, and train tracks are in a constant state of disrepair. Land border crossings typically require at least an hour of wait time, frequently more on a particularly busy day, and involve multiple check points by border officials and the Russian military. Highways are frequently three-lane -- one lane in each direction and a poorly marked central lane that is used by vehicles in either direction. Train accommodations are usually one or two levels below Western European standards. However, the metro systems in St. Petersburg and in Moscow are efficient and cheap.

The Russian government is actively making an effort in improving the country's infrastructure, particularly given its recent acquisition of the 1-year long presidency of the G8 group of nations. Much of the improvements in infrastructure and building renovations have actually been concentrated in St. Petersburg, the birthplace of the Russian President Vladimir Putin and former capital of Russia, from the founding of the city in 1703 to the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. Many buildings in St. Petersburg have recently been renovated, and there are considerable construction and renovation projects ongoing in the city. == == == Group of Eight redirects here. ... For other uses, see October Revolution (disambiguation). ...

Hotels

Most Russian hotels, particularly those in the major cities, are enormous, encompassing thousands of rooms. This originated primarily from the 1970s, when many of these hotels were built, primarily from Soviet-sponsored (and strictly monitored) tourism during that era. A typical large Russian hotel is almost a self-contained community, containing numerous restaurants, currency exchange bureaus, shops, medical clinic, entertainment center (e.g. bowling alley), and sometimes supermarkets. Because of this, the hotels are constantly busy, particularly during peak tourist season, with a constant flux of people entering and leaving the hotel at almost all times of the day. There are also a lot of small, family operated hotels opened recently. It is also possible (and less expensive) to rent an apartment via internet.

Money

The primary unit of currency in Russia is the Russian ruble, which as of January 16, 2007 is trading at roughly 26.5 rubles to one US dollar or about 34.4 rubles to one Euro. Most transactions are conducted in cash, though most hotels, tourist sites and attractions, and some restaurants accept major credit cards. While some of these locations list prices in US dollars or Euros, transactions are conducted in rubles. It is strongly recommended that visitors carry only the amount of cash needed for the day and keep the remainder in a room or hotel safe. Also, ATM can be found almost everywhere in major cities. ISO 4217 Code RUB User(s) Russia and self-proclaimed Abkhazia and South Ossetia Inflation 7% Source Rosstat, 2007 Subunit 1/100 kopek (копейка) Symbol руб kopek (копейка) к Plural The language(s) of this currency is of the Slavic languages. ... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ... For other uses, see Euro (disambiguation). ...

Russian goods and services operate on a dual economy. Basic necessities such as most groceries and basic transportation (e.g. the metro) are quite cheap, while goods and services that most Russians would consider discretionary (e.g. golf courses, car rental, hotel rooms, fancy restaurants, and fashionable clothing) command Western-level prices. Furthermore, foreigners are frequently charged a significantly higher price than locals for many goods and services. This may seem unfair to many, but on the other hand, many Russians make an average of US $400 per month and would otherwise be unable to afford many of those goods and services.

Service

Due to increasing numbers of foreign tourists and increasing opportunities for Russians for travel abroad, service in Russia is making steady improvement, though most foreigners would find Russian service to be mostly slow, rude, and inefficient - holdovers from the Soviet era. While younger Russians providing such services tend to be more polite and efficient, one may still frequently encounter a dour-faced Russian who may behave quite brusquely. Furthermore, many Russian attractions (e.g. museums, theaters, etc.) employ older Russian women, whose primary function are to strictly enforce the house rules and regulations, giving some visitors a rather authoritarian experience of Russian society.

There are plenty 24/7 shops and services available in Moscow (like 24-hour barber and dentist shops). There are many 24/7 supermarkets as well.

Safety

With the proper preparations, many foreigners are able to enjoy a smooth, uneventful visit to Russia. However, sometimes personal safety issues become a major concern for tourist visitors in Russia.

Water

Tap water in most of Russia is non-potable and thus not fit for drinking. [1][2]. Drinking non-potable tap water in Russia frequently exposes visitors to groundwater bacteria and giardia, a water-borne parasite that can cause gastrointestinal distress. Some higher-class hotels have a filtered or treated water supply which is potable. In most other locations, it is strongly recommended to purchase bottled water as a source of drinkable water, and to use that for brushing teeth and washing fruits and vegetables. Bottled water is cheap and plentiful in most major cities and towns. Binomial name Giardia lamblia (Kunstler, 1882) Giardia lamblia (formerly also Lamblia intestinalis) is a protozoan parasite that infects the gastrointestinal tract of humans. ...

Food

With increasing tourism and foreign travel by Russians, the days of breaded mystery meat and overcooked vegetables have been replaced with trendy restaurants and international cuisine, at least in the major cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg. Outside, however, it may be prudent to avoid salads, raw vegetables, and fruits that cannot be peeled, since these are usually washed with non-potable tap water. Fruits and vegetables tend to be rather rare, expensive, and of low quality in most grocery stores, reflecting the fact that the typical Russian diet consists primarily of meats, breads or grains, and dairy products For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and...

Drink

Russians are notoriously known for their heavy drinking habits and lax enforcement of liquor laws. Vodka is the most popular alcoholic beverage and is frequently consumed in impressive quantities that would stymie most foreigners. This is a particularly important point since Russians tend to be highly social drinkers, and it is often considered a cultural faux pas to refuse a drink with Russian acquaintances or business associates. Furthermore, publicly drunk foreigners are often an easy target of petty criminals. Occasionally, less reputable bars and pubs may add chemicals or sleeping additives to incapacitate unwitting foreigner patrons^{[citation needed]}. Vodka bottling machine, Shatskaya Vodka Shatsk, Russia Vodka (Polish: wódka, Russian: водка) is one of the worlds most popular distilled beverages. ...

On the Street

Most tourist visitors have to contend with a high level of petty crime when visiting the major Russian cities (such as Moscow and St. Petersburg). Pickpockets and purse snatchers frequent popular tourist spots. One common ploy is to distract the target (foreigner) by distracting him/her in some way (often by thrusting some sign or pamphlet in the target's face), while an accomplice picks the pocket of the target and hands the contents off to a third accomplice that is walking down the street. Perhaps more worrisome, however, is dealing with the Russian police Militsiya. For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and... A member of a Russian special purpose police team (OMSN), equipped with a 9A91 submachine gun. ...

Violent crime against foreigners has become less frequent, though if a foreigner finds him/herself a victim of such a crime, it presents a particularly difficult situation for the foreigner. The Russian people have quite a fatalistic approach towards life, and Russian passersby are quite unlikely to stop and assist the victim if (s)he is in the midst of being robbed, beaten, or otherwise assaulted. The Russian police are often not much help either -- enforcement is often inconsistent, and the victim may sometimes be called out repeatedly to look at suspect lineups, even if the victim has not quite yet been discharged from the hospital or clinic treating the victim's injuries. It has been suggested that Theological fatalism be merged into this article or section. ...

The foreign visitors are often an objective of attacks of Russian skinheads, see Radical nationalism in Russia. Members of the National-Bolshevik Party The term nationalism in Russia refers to far-right extremist nationalist movements and organizations, however its often mixed up with fascism in Russia. ...

Traversing the major streets of major Russian cities can sometimes be a challenge in and of itself. Partly because of the fatalism endemic in Russian societies, Russians tend to drive quite recklessly and only loosely obey traffic signals (except when under the watchful eye of the Russian traffic police). Subsequently, crossing a busy street at a crosswalk (even when the pedestrian lights are green) can be quite riskly, often tantamount to playing a game of Russian roulette. Occasionally, a pedestrian may find him or herself stranded in the middle of the street, with busy traffic whizzing past him/her at unsafe velocities. Furthermore, traffic and pedestrian lights sometimes go out without warning, making street crossings even more dangerous; only with the relative safety of a large crowd (which is quite frequently the case during the summer months) does it become relatively safe to cross under such situations. Russian roulette is a lethal form of gambling in which participants place a single round in a chamber of a revolver and, spinning the cylinder such that the location of the round is unknown, take turns putting the weapon to their temples (heads) and pulling the trigger until the weapon...

Visas and Entry Requirements

Russian visa requirements are complicated, governed by many regulations, and are strictly enforced. The requirements and fees are based on reciprocity with other countries, although in some cases it is less strict. For example you can file application by mail and your visa will be mailed to you, instead of appearing in person at the consulate as many other countries require from Russians. Obtaining a Russia tourist visa entails filling out an application form . Prospective tourist visitors are often required to have an invitation or sponsoring organization (such as a tour company based in Russia). Visa and registration fees are also quite expensive compared to most other countries, and may increase even more if penalties are charged by the frequently corrupt Militsiya. A member of a Russian special purpose police team (OMSN), equipped with a 9A91 submachine gun. ...

Once a Russian entry visa is obtained, it will specify the exact permissible dates during which the visitor is allowed in the country. Overstaying a Russian visa entails severe penalties, indefinite detention in the country, and a disallowal of the visitor to stay in any hotel, boarding house, or any other sort of accommodation.

The Migration Card

Upon arriving in Russia, foreigners are required to complete a migration card, which is used by Russian authorities to track the movements of the foreigners in the country. In the past year, this migration card (which used to be written in both Russian Cyrillic and English) has since been changed to contain only the Russian (Cyrillic letters), making it more difficult for foreigners to complete properly. However, this card must be completed before foreigners are allowed to enter immigration at the point of entry.

The migration card has two parts that have to be filled identically. The top part (part A) is taken by the immigration officials at immigration, while the bottom part (part B) is usually stamped or sealed on the front side by the immigration officer, who then hands it back to the visitor. The stamp on the front side of the migration card must accompany every crossing of the border of the Russian Federation. This part of the migration card is usually kept with the visitor's passport and is often required to be returned upon the visitor's departure from Russia. Unfortunately, Russian authorities at the crossing point are often corrupt and frequently fail to stamp or return the migration card to the foreigner (usually in purpose to extort money), so it is essential for visitors to ensure that the migration card is returned to them at the entry point with the proper stamp.

Registration whilst in Russia

Russian law and regulations in this area are often contradictory and often pose problems for foreign tourists in Russia. In general, all foreign citizens arriving into Russia for longer than 3 working days must be registered with the authorities within 3 working days of their arrival to their final destination. However, according to another Russian law, foreigners should register only if they plan to stay in one place for more than 3 days. Frequently, such contradictions cause considerable confusion among foreign tourists and is often used deliberately by Russian authorities to enact punative measures on the foreign tourists (usually requiring a monetary bribe to solve the problem). Problems related to registration occur frequently in Moscow and at the Moscow International Airport; foreign tourists entering Russia via Moscow are usually not allowed to book hotel accommodations without having completed proper registration.

For foreigners staying at a hotel, the hotel will usually ask for their passport, visa and migration card upon check-in, in order to register them with the authorities. The passport is sometimes returned the next morning, though more frequently the hotel will keep foreigner passports in the hotel safe. However, according to Russian law foreigners are not allowed to go anywhere without their passports, presenting a Catch-22 situation that is particularly troublesome given the Russian police's tendency to target and detain foreigners under the pretense of checking their papers. The usual situation, one which usually (but not always) works with the Russian police (Militsiya) is to present them with the hotel key card (as proof of accommodation and of the fact that the hotel is holding the foreigner's passport) and to say that they are visiting tourists. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A member of a Russian special purpose police team (OMSN), equipped with a 9A91 submachine gun. ...

Occasionally, the hotel might not ask the foreigner tourist for his/her passport, in which case the foreigner should request the hotel to register the foreigner with the authorities. If this doesn't happen, the foreigner is then required to go directly to the local immigration authorities or the Russian police for registration.

Evidence of proper registration is shown in the presence of a rectangular stamp/seal, with a period of validity, a date of registration, a registration number, the name of registering authority, and the signature of executing officer, located on the back side of the migration card.

Exiting Russia

Russian exit visa is normally issued along with the entry visa. However, under emergency situations (such as a medical emergency) where the foreigner needs to stay in the country longer, it becomes necessary for the foreigner to apply for an emergency visa extension (usually done with the assistance of the foreigner's consulate). The foreigner is then required to physically go to the nearest point of entry (e.g. airport or border point) to have the visa added to his/her passport. The exit visa is usually granted upon the foreigner's departure under these circumstances.

Russia customs were formerly very strict, but have become more relaxed recently. Person need to fill customs form only if he/she carrying one of the following: equivalent of more than $10,000 in cash; firearms; explosives; dangerous animals or plants; etc. It is wise to have proofs of purchases and other proper documentation for expensive items like jewelry, arts or icons. Some foreigners reported that they required a software scan or search of their computer media, such as DVD-ROMs, CD-ROMs, flash memory cards, etc. DVD is an optical disc storage media format that is used for playback of movies with high video and sound quality and for storing data. ... The CD-ROM (an abbreviation for Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (ROM)) is a non-volatile optical data storage medium using the same physical format as audio compact discs, readable by a computer with a CD-ROM drive. ... A USB flash drive. ...