Where can I get Russian rubles?

Old May 24th, 2015, 09:21 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 12,820
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Where can I get Russian rubles?

I'll be flying Seattle-Frankfurt-Helsinki, and then going by train to St.Petersburg, and I'd like to have some rubles before I arrive in St. Petersburg. I don't really care if the exchange is bad. I will get a more substantial amount of rubles at an ATM/cash point after I arrive in St.Petersburg.

I'm wondering if the Helsinki airport has any of those rip-off money-exchange stands at which I can get a few expensive rubles to tide me over. Or should I just go to a bank in Helsinki and get rubles there?
Pegontheroad is offline  
Old May 24th, 2015, 09:34 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I understand your angst about not having any rubles when arriving but American dollars are hugely accepted informally by anyone over the soft currency of the ruble.
PalenQ is offline  
Old May 24th, 2015, 09:43 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,628
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
>>but American dollars are hugely accepted informally by anyone over the soft currency of the ruble.
janisj is offline  
Old May 24th, 2015, 09:48 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
American dollars are not widely accepted or even accepted at all, it is not the legal currency for Russia and it is illegal to pay in dollars or euros.
Odin is offline  
Old May 24th, 2015, 10:16 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,609
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
When I arrived in St. P by train from Vilnius back in 2004 I got rubles from an ATM in the station. I feel sure they will only have proliferated since.
thursdaysd is offline  
Old May 24th, 2015, 10:27 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,729
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks, Odin
I am going to SP and Moscow in July...it is not problem for me to purchase rubles
where we live.
I am going to bring some US dollars or euros as well,
I certainly do not wish to break any laws.
danon is offline  
Old May 24th, 2015, 01:28 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There is at least one money exchange stand in Helsinki Airport, in terminal 2 departures hall. Maybe there are more, but that´s the one that I have used so it´s definitely there. I assume that you´re taking the Allegro train from Helsinki, are you aware that they have a money exchange service as well?
babelic is offline  
Old Jul 2nd, 2015, 02:37 AM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 12,820
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the responses. I was able to get roubles at the Forex bank at the Helskini train station.
Pegontheroad is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
reetk
Europe
2
Aug 1st, 2012 05:07 PM
oeivinr
Europe
7
May 12th, 2009 11:08 PM
fbeifeld
Europe
8
Jul 8th, 2004 05:57 PM
alwayslate
Europe
10
Aug 17th, 2002 09:33 PM
rudy
Europe
4
Apr 26th, 2002 03:46 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -