Business hours | Currency | Electric current | Handicapped | Holidays | Arts and Folk Festivals | Time zone | Tipping | Phone | Russian cuisine | Weights & measures

Business hours

Offices:
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Monday-Friday

Banks:
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Monday-Friday

Museums:
10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Most closed Monday

Shops:
9:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.

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Currency

The Russian monetary unit is the ruble. There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency allowed to be brought into Russia.
However, all money brought into the country (including traveller's checks) must be declared upon entering the country. In Russia, tourists can exchange any amount of hard currency for rubles at any of the following locations: authorized Russian banks, foreign currency offices located in major hotels, international airports, banks and sea ports. In St.Petersburg the are many exchange offices locates in the city centre.
Exchange rates between the ruble and all hard currencies are set by authorized Russian banks within Russia and by authorized banks within each of the independent republics. It is prohibited to take rubles out of Russia.
The following credit cards are accepted in Russia: American Express, Diners Club, ETN Card, Eurocard/Mastercard, Most Card, Optimum Card, Ort Card, STB Card, Unioncard and Visa International.

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Electric current

The electric current in Russia is 220 V. European tipe plugs are required.

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Handicapped

Mentally or physically handicapped persons are welcome to travel in Russia if accompanied by a companion to cater to them.

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Holidays

January 1-2: New Year

This is one of the main holidays in many countries of the world. The date on which New Year is celebrated has undergone frequent changes. In Russia Peter I made January 1 the start of the year 1699.

January 1: Orthodox Cristmas

On of the main Orthodox holidays.

March 8: International Women's Day

A holiday dedicated to international solidarity between women in their fight for equal rights in the economic, social, and political spheres.

April-May: Easter

May 1-2: Labour Day, celebration of spring

A day of solidarity between the workers in the whole world. In Russia Labour Day was first celebrated in 1890.

May 9: Victory Day

For Russians this day of celebration of total victory over fascism is one of the most important and memorable occasions in the year. Celebrations include parades and military marches, reunions for veterans of the war, and multi-salvo salute.

June 12: Russia Independence Day

November 7: Day of Concord

December 12: Day of Russian Constitution

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Arts and Folk Festivals:

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Time zone

The difference between Greenwich Mean Time and the time in St.Petersburg & Moscow is +3 hours (called “Moscow time”).

Summer daylight saving time (GMT +4 hours) is effective till April to October

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Tipping

Tipping is not required in Russia and no one should feel obliged to do so. However, many visitors use tipping as a way to show appreciation for a job well done and this is certainly acceptable. Such gestures are voluntary and at the sole discretion of the visitor.

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Phone

Telephone area code: (+7) 812

CRUCIAL TELEPHONE NUMBERS:

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Russian cuisine

Russian food is famous for its meat dishes, ukha (fish soup), shchi (cabbage soup), pokhlebka (thick broth), okroshka (cold vegetable soup), bliny (pancakes) with sour cream or caviar, cabbage pie, and beef a la Strogonoff.
Tea with lemon is the traditional Russian beverage.

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Weights & measures

Temperature

To convert degrees Celsius into degrees Fahrenheit, multiply by 1.8 and add 32
To convert degrees Fahrenheit into degrees Celsius, subtract 32 and multiply by 0.55

Length, distance & area

To convert inches to centimetres, multiply by 2.54
To convert centimetres to inches, multiply by 0.39

Feet to metres, multiply by 0.3
Metres to feet, multiply by 3.28

Yards to metres, multiply by 0.91
Metres to yards, multiply by 1.09

Miles to kilometres, multiply by 1.61
Kilometres to miles, multiply by 0.62

Acres to hectares, multiply by 0.4
Hectares to acres, multiply by 2.47

Weight

To convert ounces to grams, multiply by 28.35
To convert grams to ounces, multiply by 0.035

Pounds to kilograms, multiply by 0.45
Kilograms to pounds, multiply by 2.21

British ton to kilograms, multiply by 1016
US tons to kilograms, multiply by 907

Volume

To convert imperial gallons to litres, multiply by 4.55
To convert litres to imperial gallons, multiply by 0.22

US gallons to litres, multiply by 3.79
Litres to US gallons, multiply by 0.26