Moscow is located on the Moskva Rover, which bends its way through the city. Most of the city's main sites are located on the Northern Bank of the river. Moscow's other major waterway is the Yauza River, which flows into the Moskva east of the Kremlin.
Much of Moscow’s geography is defined by the numerous ‘ring roads’ which circle the city at various distances from the centre, roughly following the outline of the walls that used to surround the city. With Red Square and the Kremlin forming the very centre, the innermost ring is the Boulevard Ring,which runs from the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in south-west central Moscow, to the mouth of the Yauza in south-east central Moscow.
The next ring road, the Garden Ring, derives its name from the fact that landowners near the road in Tsarist times were obligated to maintain gardens to make the road attractive, though the roads were widened during the Soviet era. The recently constructed Third Ring is not much use to visitors - it is a heavily used motorway which absorbs some of Moscow’s heavy traffic, while the outer edge of Moscow is largely defined by the Moscow Ring Road, a motorway which encircles the entire city.
Tourist Information Office
There are no tourist information offices in Moscow – hotel reception and service desks are the best source of information.
Useful Information - Visas!
A consular visa is ESSENTIAL for all British passport holders – all foreign nationals entering Russia must fill in a Migration card. The card is in two sections – part “A” and part “B”.
Part A must be presented to the Immigration Officer on arrival. Part B must be retained with your passport and shown to police should they stop you at any time for an identity check. On leaving Russia, part B should be presented to the Immigration Officer. Should you lose part B, you will be fined and your departure from Russia could be seriously delayed.
You must complete a new migration form each time you enter Russia, even if you have a multiple entry visa.
If you are staying in Russia more than three days, you need to register your visa – your hotel should be able to do this for you. Make sure you do this, as failing to can cause problems and delays as you leave the country.
If you are staying less than three days, these requirements are waived.
During periods of high demand, for example during the summer holidays, you should apply for your visa well in advance If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland you should apply to the Russian Embassy in London. If you live in Scotland, you should apply to the Russian Consulate General in Edinburgh.
The Embassy in London can normally process visas in 15 working days, and you can submit an application by post or in person. If you want to get a visa more quickly it is possible to queue in person and pay an extra fee, though the numbers processed in this way per day are limited. You must have an exit visa to leave Russia.
Most entry visas include an exit visa. However, some entry visas including certain types of student visas, do not include an exit visa. If this is the case your sponsor, not the Embassy or Consulates, will need to obtain the exit visa for you before you can leave the country. Before you travel to Russia ensure that you are aware of the terms and conditions attached to your visa and check that the dates and details which have been entered on your visa are correct. Presenting documentation which contains incorrect information to immigration officials can lead to severe inconvenience and in some cases could result in refusal of entry.
You must register your visa with UVIR (department of visas and registration) within 72 hrs of arrival. Hotels deal with this for their guests but visitors in private accommodation should see to it themselves. UVIR’s office in Moscow is at Ulitsa Pokrova 42. (Metro: Kurskaya, Krasnie Vorota) Tel: 095 207 0239.
British Embassy
Should you find yourself under lock and key, the first place to turn is the British Consul, which can be found at the British Embassy, Smolenskaya embankment 10. (5 minute walk from metro Smolenskaya, Moscow central blue line), tel: 095 956 7200, fax: 095 956 7420.
Cash & Currency Exchange
Official currency in Russia is the Ruble – banknotes in denominations of 5,10, 50,100,500 and 1,000 are in circulation. There are 1, 2 and 5 Rouble coins and 1, 5 , 10 and 50 Kopeks, of which there are 100 to the Ruble.
It is theoretically illegal to use any other currency in Russia – though cab drivers and members of the oldest profession generally prefer US Dollars or Euros.
Sterling can be very difficult to exchange, and we recommend taking Euros or US Dollars for this very reason. DON'T change money on the street – it's illegal, and, anyway, you're begging to be ripped off. That excellent rate you were offered won't seem such a good deal when you're lumbered with a load of Rubles with CCCP and Lenin's portrait on them, which are worth substantially less then the paper they're printed on.
The most reliable ATM’s are those inside metro stations and branches of Sberbank, Alfa Bank and Bank Moskvy. Most big hotels have a 24hr bank or money-changing facility
Fill in a currency declaration form on arrival; get receipts for each time you change money and fill in a similar form on departure.(See Airport Customs note above!) Rubles may not be exported.
£1 - 51Rubles approx
Euros or US Dollars are best for exchange, and should generally be in pristine condition, crumpled or old notes may be refused.
Exchange bureau - обмен валютьі (abmyen valyutih) there are plenty around Moscow centre, as well as plenty of ATMs. There is also an American Express on ul Usacheva 33 which is open 9am-6pm Mon-Fri. The nearest metro is Sportivnaya.
When changing money, you'll need your passport. Don't assume the rate displayed is the rate you'll actually get – the rate displayed often applies only to transactions over $500 dollars, and is used to entice you in. Sadly, it is not uncommon for foreign visitors to be duped in this fashion. Always check the rate in advance, and if you feel you're being turned over, simply go elsewhere. You should be able to change back any unused currency – keep your receipt, just in case.
Current approximate rates of exchange are-
Pounds sterling – 51.10 Rbl
US dollars – 25.78 Rbl
Euro – 35.54 Rbl
Travellers' cheques are not widely recognised in Russia, and use of credit cards is not as widespread as here in England – basically, only posh restaurants and hotels will accept them. Also, Russian criminals are world leaders when it comes to “skimming” credit card information and could have your credit card up to it's limit in no time. Pay cash wherever you can, and, if you use your credit card at all whilst in Russia, check your bill thoroughly when it arrives.
Chemists
36.6, Tverskaya 25. Tel: 095 299 2459. 24 hr. Nearest metro: Pushkinskaya
36.6, Zemlyanoy Val 25, Tel: 095 917 1285. 24 hr. Nearest metro: Kurskaya
No 57, B Tcherkizovskaya 8, Tel: 095 161 2070 24 hr. Nearest metro: Preobrazhenskaya Ploshchad
Ferin, Nikolskaya 19, Tel: 095 923 4879 24 hr. Nearest Metro: Lubyanka
Customs
On entering Russia you will be given a Customs Declaration (deklaratsiya) which you should fill out with a list of any currency you are carrying as well as any items of worth. You should list mobile phones, cameras and laptops to avoid any potential problems on leaving Russia.
You can take up to US$10,000 cash into Russia without declaration, and depart with up to US$3,000, without any declaration. If you do need to make a customs declaration on entry make sure the customs officer stamps it properly, otherwise it is invalid. You risk confiscation of all your currency if you're discovered to be over the limit without declaration.
Exporting souvenirs, particularly memorabilia from the Soviet era like caps, badges and soon, should present no significant problems but some of the other remnants of the previous regime though – like the relatively freely available vast range of weaponry, for example – are best avoided!
Russia is outside the EU, so you can use duty free shops in airports at either end, BUT old school duty free allowances do apply when returning to Britain – there's a limit of 200 cigarettes and a litre of spirits.
Don't be surprised if it takes up to two hours to complete customs and immigration facilities on the way in to Russia.
Electricity
Most of Russia runs on 220v and uses continental European-style 2 pin plugs.
Emergencies
Fire пожар (pazhar) 01
Police милиция (militshya) 02
Ambulance скорая помощь (skoraya pomash) 03
Health
Your travel insurance policy should give good cover for medical treatment. Russian hospitals are grim, foreign-staffed clinics expensive. Travellers are advised to bring their own prescribed medications. No inoculations are mandatory before arrival, though some doctors advise diphtheria and hepatitis inoculations.
Hospitals
British-American Family Practice & Urgent Care, Grafskiy Pereulok 7, Tel: 095 327 6030 or 095 999 0949
European Medical Centre, Gruzinskiy Pereulok 3. Tel: 095 253 0703
American Medical Centre, Shmitovskiy Proezd 3. Tel: 095 956 3366
International SOS Clinic, 31 Grokholskiy Pereulok , 10th floor, Tel: 095 937 5760
Internet Access
Internet Access (= интернет internet)
Cafemax, Ulitsa Pyatnitskaya 25. Metro: Novokuznetskaya
Nirvana, Rozhdestvenka 29. Metro: Kuznetskiy Most
Netcity, Kamergersky Pereulok 5. Metro: Teatralnaya. Open 24hrs
For a list of WiFi internet hotspots in Moscow check wifi.yandex.ru
Newspapers
The main English language newspaper is The Moscow Times. Other English language newspapers are the weekly Russian Journal and Moscow News.
Most English magazines and newspapers sold on newsstands are expensive and the selection usually poor. The one exception is Maxim’s News Stand, Nizhnyaya Maslovska 2, Open Mon-Sat 11am-7:30pm. Metro: Savyolovskaya (grey line, north centre)
Phoning Home
Country code 7; international access code 8 (wait for second tone) 10.
The cheapest way to phone home is to use a special telephone card for IP-telephoning. Cards can be bought telecom shops (sa’lon s’vyazi), usually next to metro stations - usually also selling mobile phones and accessories
Just dial the access number written on the card, switch to the tone mode (usually a *(star) button), dial your PIN and then the number you are calling.
Photography
You could be arrested if found taking pictures of military bases and the like, and militia officers may object if you point your camera directly at them.
Post Office
Central Telegraph Office, Tverskaya ulitsa 7,
Main Post Office, Myasnitskaya ulitsa 26/2
Safety & Security
It has to be said we have received a wide range of credible reports of random, unprovoked attacks on football supporters by seriously organised gangs of weapon-carrying hooligans in many locations around Moscow.
We are advised that, with reasonable precautions, everybody should have a good time – but, information gleaned from the recent visits to Moscow of Wales, Republic of Ireland and Arsenal fans suggests that, at least until the day of the game, parading around the city bedecked in colours may serve to attract unwanted attention.
Another major cause for concern is that corruption is reputedly rife amongst the local police force, who are apparently quite adept at exploiting scenarios which allow them, if at all possible, to relieve visitors of some of their spending money by imposing distinctly dubious spot fines!
The official advice from the British Consulate concerning this is to remain polite at all times, not pay any fine and to ask to ring the Consulate immediately. You should, wherever possible, also take the badge number of the officer in question – though it must be borne in mind this may lead to you spending some time in the local police station. Our connections in Moscow suggest speaking only in English, trying to keep a smile on your face at all times and repeatedly offering your passport for inspection usually results in them getting bored and moving on.
Tourists are unlikely to encounter the much-reported organised criminal activity. Petty theft is comparable to that of major cities elsewhere. Do not leave valuables unattended, do not carry large amounts of cash, and always lock your hotel room. At night, be careful with taxi rides and keep to well-lit streets. Avoid gangs of gypsy children in areas frequented by foreigners - they strip their victims like locusts. On overnight trains lock your compartment door and do not open it to strangers.
You must carry identification (photocopy of passport) with you at all times.
You may be stopped for no reason at all by uniformed officials. Never allow them to go through your pockets or wallet, as you may find something missing later on. If you feel you are being unfairly treated or the police try to make you go somewhere with them, bring out your mobile phone and threaten to call your embassy (‘ya pozvonyu svoyu posolstvu’). This threat will usually be sufficient to make them leave you alone. However, if they still want you to go somewhere with them, it’s best to call your embassy immediately.
One thing you really shouldn't get involved with whilst spending time in Moscow is drugs – the authorities take an extremely dim view of them, and, trust us, you really don't want to be spending any time in the Russian prison system.
Whilst in Moscow, all the usual rules for visiting to a big, unfamiliar city apply – be vigilant when using public transport and walking the streets, ans make you're constantly aware of where your personal possessions are. Keep valuables concealed at all times, under at least one layer of clothing. It is also recommended you split up you cash and credit cards and stash them in two or three different places about your person.
Given the reports we've received concerning problems in Moscow, we all need to exercise caution – be very careful about travelling in small groups, especially when travelling to and from the game or late at late at night. Better safe than sorry, basically.
Tipping
With the exception of taxi drivers, who invariably charge double for foreigners, tip as you would anywhere else in the world.
Toilets
Russian public toilets are rare and dreadful. Go out armed with paper and make use of restaurant or museum facilities, which are marginally better!
