Travel tips
Practical background for planning a trip. Rules and prices change, so check official sources before you book.
Seasons and climate
Russia is large enough to have several climates at once. Moscow and St. Petersburg have warm summers and cold, snowy winters; Siberia swings from hot summers to winters well below freezing; the Black Sea coast and the Caucasus foothills are the mildest; Kamchatka is cool and wet, with a short hiking season.
Summer (June to August) suits most trips: long days, open-air museums and boat routes running. In St. Petersburg the 'white nights' around the summer solstice never fully darken. Late May and September are quieter and often pleasant.
Winter is a different trip, not a worse one. Snow-covered domes, Christmas markets and the clear ice of Lake Baikal in February and March are strong reasons to go, but you will need proper boots, layers and shorter sightseeing days.
Getting around
Between the big cities, trains are comfortable and good value. Fast Sapsan trains link Moscow and St. Petersburg in around four hours, and overnight trains with sleeping compartments save a hotel night. For long distances, domestic flights are frequent and often cheap if booked early.
The Trans-Siberian Railway runs from Moscow to Vladivostok, about 9,300 km. Most travellers do it in stages, stopping in places such as Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk (for Lake Baikal) and Ulan-Ude. Book seats in advance for summer, and choose between second class (four-berth compartments) and first class (two berths).
Within cities, the metro is fast and cheap; Moscow's stations are sights in themselves. Ride-hailing apps work in larger cities. Remote places such as Kizhi, Solovetsky and the Valley of Geysers are reached by boat, ferry or helicopter, so plan around summer schedules.
Practical information
Entry rules, visas, flight availability and payment options can change quickly. Check your own government's travel advice and the official entry requirements well before you book, and confirm that your travel insurance covers the places you plan to visit. Some border regions and nature reserves need permits.
The currency is the Russian rouble. Foreign-issued bank cards may not work in shops and ATMs, so ask your bank and plan how you will pay. Mobile data from a local SIM is cheap; some SIM purchases and apps ask for ID.
In churches and monasteries, dress modestly: cover shoulders and knees, and women often cover their hair. Photography rules vary inside; look for signs. Many major sights close one day a week, so check opening hours before you travel.