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? |
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.
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>>but American dollars are hugely accepted informally by anyone over the soft currency of the ruble.<<
Have you been there in the last 30 years??? It is illegal to accept other currencies. IME it is extremely difficult to buy rubles outside of Russia. A better option is bring US$ or € and exchange them when you get to StP. But using your ATM card is best. |
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.
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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.
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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. |
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? :)
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Thanks for the responses. I was able to get roubles at the Forex bank at the Helskini train station.
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