Im going to Russia for the first time in october. I'll be traveling alone but someone I know will be studying there, so I will have some contacts. Anything I should know about traveling solo? I have taken 3 years of russian, so I hope I can get by. Im also a young male, if that makes any difference.

Hotels:
Hotel Budapest or Traveler's Guest House (yeah, wanna do it cheap). Any good news or bad news about either place? I dont mind paying the extra amount for the Budapest if it means a better location (would do the Rossiya but dont care to deal with this whole tear down deal). I am told TGH is a 30 minute metro ride to the Kremlin, how far is the actual place from the Mira station?

Also a question on the Moscow and St. Petersburg safety warnings. What does "Do not let anyone stand behind you in the metro or on the platform" mean? Is this about theft or getting pushed on/off trains, or worse?

It's about pickpocketing - nothing else.

Just be aware - as you would in any city - on any subway system. Backpacks are a really bad idea - since you have no idea what other people can be taking from it.

Petty crime is like anywhere in Europe (well, almost). latest reports say that the petty crime is on the decline ( I would love to believe that).
Downtown Moscow is a lot safer than certain parts of New York city for sure.

Just use common sense and you'll be fine.

Just use common sense and you'll be fine.

Having spent time in Tijuana I'm hoping I have a little experience with corrupt taxis, pick-pockets and bribing cops will help me out. Thanks for the info.

Any advice on either hotel/hostel?

I am a dual citizen, Irish (EU) and the States. I am planning on traveling on my US passport but taking both just in case. Should I be very descrete about my dual nationality as in not mentioning and trying to not show the Irish passport? Will there be a stink if I have two passports?

if you are a u.s. citizen you must use that passport everywhere in the world, except within the boundaries of the second nationality.

therfore, your visa will be required on the u.s passport.

there would be no reason to be showing TWO passports. those decisions are made before you pass immigration in every country.

Not quite what I asked, but informative, let me try to be more clear. If say when being asked to show my US passport, they see the second passport in my stack of things im shuffling through, will there be "fines"?