Safety Concern in Russia
 

My wife and I plan to visit Moscow and St Petersburg in June. We will be travelling independently on our own (not with a tour). I have the following questions:

1. Is it safe to walk the streets of these cities, to ride the metro (subways) etc.?

2. Would we have problems purchasing tickets for attractions (such as the Hermitage, the Kremlin, Lenin Tomb etc.).

3. Would we have problems in the restaurants in making reservations and in ordering our meals? Do they have English menu?

We would appreciate if you can share your experience in these matters. Thanks in advance.

sgsg

check this site for some of the releavant information
http://www.freewebs.com/yasnaya-polyana/
A lot depends if you are caucasian looking or asian.
lack of english is a SERIOUS problem in Moscow.

I agree with Dawes - it depends on your looks, if you are a blonde, no problem. If you have dar hair, dark eyes... well... it's not the passport that counts!

All signs are in cyrillics, the spelling is easy, it's the alphabet which may be difficult.

Moscow and St Petersburg are as safe as any other big cities for walking around/taking the metro. Take usual precautions. I've been going to Russia for over 20 years and lived there whilst working for a year-without incident.

At major tourist attractions English is spoken eg at the Kremlin and Hermitage, your hotel can make reservations for you at a restaurant. Some restaurants have menus in English.

I do think it is necessary to learn the Cyrillic alphabet to negotiate the metro, not only to ensure you get to the correct destination but so you can take the correct exit. The ladies at the ticket office sometimes understand English.

we did a visit to moscow on our own. had a lovely hotel holiday inn outside city with great staff that cleared up all my questions before i went. Thehotel helped a LOT.

free shuitle into town anytime,airport and pick up, too. fabulous service.

learned a bit of the alphabet so i could understand the metro stops.

did a lot of restaurant planning.

got tickets to the bolshoi.. no problem.
took city tour.

except for one small café, absolutely no problem with the menus and food.

loved it.

also contacted the u.s. embassy there for travel precautions.

we went a bit anxious, but were thrilled in the end as everyday was a no problem day.

helloo))
i live in MOscow . ANd i have been to St. Petersburg several times

1. It is save to walk the streets and use underground ( and dont be afraid to use. Because if you miss it - u will miss one of the most beautiful parts of moscow.)

2. usually you wont get any problems because there is a shedule, working hours and prices and in all main museums are in english too

3. Englis menu - mostly yes)

emjpy the trip

Let me insert my 2 cents. It is safe and fine most of the time but IF G_d forbidd something happened to you - you are screwed because no one will help you (not for free anyway). Use common sense and enjoy.

Thank you all for the valuable information.

sgsg.

It is safe to walk the streets in tourist areas (as with any city there are bad neighborhoods that are not safe). Purchasing tickets at major attractions is not an issue - but traveling on public transport you will need to know some russian/cyrillic alphabet.

Just be aware that subways are MOBBED (way worse than NYC) during rush hours and pickpockets fairly common. We taxied most everywhere since it was so cheap.

English menus in restaurants depend on their price/purpose. The more expensive ones aimed at tourists will have them. Less expensive ones aimed at locals probably won;t. If near a major tourist attraction someone will probably speak some english - but it may not be great.

ttt

Watch out for the drunks, don't attract attention. The gypsy kids on Nevsky Pr in St Petersburg should be avoided, the are very good at removing the contents of your pocket. Watch for pickpoketers in crowded places as well as passing through doorways.

I studied in St Petersburg for months last year and never had a problem. Even walking alone at 4 in the morning brought on no problems. I had friends that were on the outskirts of St. Petersburg and around the city and used the metro all the time.

By the time I left I was even doing as the Russians, flagging down a car in the street and getting a cheap ride. This involves putting your hand out like you would for a Taxi in NYC, and getting picked up by normal people. You give them a few rubles and they will bring you almost anywhere. Learn some Russian before you attempt this though!

Anyways, I found St Petersburg to be safer and friendlier than many places I have been to throughout Europe. The people are great and many of the younger crowd speak great english. If you are in St. Petersburg, try a place right off of Nevsky Prospekt called Cafe Blowup. Great food and great prices. It is right near the Finance University called FINEC at 22 Naberezhnaya Griboedova channel; across from the Kazan Cathedral.

It is amazing story sanchez...
Are you like 300lb, 6'3" tall and having a gun visibly worn at all times?

no, lol, actually 6'0" 180lbs. and no gun. If you don't draw a lot of attraction to yourself, you won't have a problem. I found that almost all of the people I met on my trip were quite friendly and good people. Even the "gypsy" street vendors, just don't buy the Marlboros from them, god knows what you would be getting...

Oh yeah, and don't drink the tap water. A friend found out the hard way about this; typical Parisian... You wouldn't want to spend a week of your trip in a Russian hospital.

So you are not a very little guy!!!
I knew it...

To not to draw attention for Americans in Russia:
- Be mute, silent outdorsmen, or don't live hotel. LOL

I am a smaller female, and I have taken the "chasnie" taxis (private cars) without issues quite a bit. I would definitely NOT recommend it to someone who doesn't speak Russian though!

Saint Petersburg is a friendly city, it has the same issues as other major cities- just be reasonable and you will be fine!

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