Rubles?
 

My husband and I are going to Moscow and St. Petersburgh, leaving on Sept. 14th. The Fodor's book was confusing as to rates of exchange of dollars to rubles. I understand the rate as of today is about 25 rubles to the dollar. Is that what we can expect, or somewhere in that ballpark? "Spaseebah!"

When I was there this summer, the rate fluctuated between 24 and 26 rubles to the dollar. You do get a better rate with an ATM card, which I had very little problem suing in St. P and Moscow. Moscow is more expensive. Also the Am Ex people give very poor rates there, I would take cash and an ATM card, maybe just a little bit in trav. checks. Have fun! <BR>

When I was there this summer, the rate fluctuated between 24 and 26 rubles to the dollar. You do get a better rate with an ATM card, which I had very little problem using in St. P and Moscow. Moscow is more expensive. Also the Am Ex people give very poor rates there, I would take cash and an ATM card, maybe just a little bit in trav. checks. Have fun! <BR>

I was in Russia in June. The exchange rate is about 25 rubles / 1 USD. The ATM advice is the best. If you use a credit card becareful because some [at least the machines I found] have a maximum of 1000 ruble limit per transaction [$40]. So if you want $200 you will conduct 5 transactions. Your credit card may charge per transaction. I found train stations to be a good place to find a convenient ATM, but you will find them along the streets and [surprise] near the casinos.

There is a ATM near "Sberbank" bank office in Sheremetyevo International Airport on the 2nd (departure) floor. You can get up to $1,000 (in Russian Rubles). Another good bank is "Bank Moskvy", where you can get cash - Dollars or Rubles. "Sberbank" charges 1 per cent, "Bank Moskvy" - 1.5 per cent. <BR> <BR>Alex

I have heard that US dollar bills are virtually a surrogate currency in <BR>Russia. Anybody have any input on this assertion? That is, if you have $10 and $20 bills you can do considerable negotiating because most Russian business men want hard currency, of which the ruble is not. <BR>

Bob, <BR>Many business owners do in fact prefer dollars, though it is against the law to pay in anything but rubles. I found it just as easy to bargain in rubles. Your best tool is fair to good Russian, your willingness to bargain and turn your back on them, the price drops almost in half the second you turn your back. Regardless, you'll probably find a better deal down the street. Bring 1's and 5's instead of 10's and 20's, unless you really plan on buying a lot of stuff. Things are so inexpensive for Westerners in Russia now, though Russians struggle daily. Your best bet is to have your Russian friends buy things for you, then you'll get "real" prices. Russia is great! Have fun.

its been three years since I was in Russia so this maybe a little dated. Being an Australian I stocked up on USD's The only time I ended up with rubles was when I recieved them as change having paid in USD!! So yes, unless things have changed I'd stick with USD.