Hi everyone. I'm taking my first trip to Russia in April, and I'm operating on a super cheap budget. I'm going to Moscow for 14 days. I've got my plane and hosteling expenses already paid for, but I'm wondering I'll need above and beyond that to live each day. I'm talking about cheap food, inexpensive meals, and public transportation.

I've heard that backpackers -- super frugal types -- can get by on $25 or $2000 rubles per day. That means cheap meals, nothing fancy. Does this sound correct?

Thanks in advance for any answers.

See: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/russia/money-costs

Public transit is inexpensive ....
For meals, look for places where the locals eat...
usually there is some indication of cost displayed in the restaurant window.
Purchasing some food in a supermarket might reduce your expenses.
Stay away from Starbucs !
Lear their alphabet ...no English signs in metro.

I live in St.Petersburg, Russia. Here are local costs:
'business lunch' in a cafe outside touristic centre - RUB 300-400. It will be a lunch with soup + piece of meat (not large) + garnish (boiled potato/french fries/boiled rice) + cup of tea.

a good meal at McD or BurgerKing - about RUB 350-450

Moscow is about 10-20% more expensive than St.Petersburg.

So yes, RUB 2000 per day looks enough. I actually manage to make it within RUB 1500 per day when i travel to Moscow. But you need to have a basic knowlenge of russian language. If you have a microwave in your appartments, you can cut it down even more buying food in local grocery.

(current exchange rate 1 usd = 75 rub)