Useful information

Official Russian currency is the Ruble (Rbl). There are 100 kopecks in one ruble.  Notes in circulation are: 1000, 500, 100, 50, 10, 5 rubles. Coins in circulation are: 10, 5, 2, 1 rubles, and 50, 10, 5, 1 kopecks.  It is illegal to make purchases in any foreign currency, so it may be good to exchange money to get some rubles right at the airport upon your arrival. St.Petersburg is practically flooded with exchange points where you can exchange US dollars and Euros quite easily. Pounds sterling and other currency can be also changed in many places but mostly in the city center. The rates are usually stated at the entry and vary slightly from place to place. Notes have to be clean and in good condition. You will have to show your passport at currency exchange offices. Do not change with people on the street. It is wise to keep your exchange receipts for departure. Hotels, restaurants and some big shops offer exchange service as well.  In some places things priced in "y.e". This is a fictional currency unit, which is equivalent to the dollar or Euro, and you should enquire about the exchange rate used by the shop or restaurant.  Traveler's cheques or Eurochecks can be cashed at the airport bank and other banks, as well as in most hotels, restaurants and department stores at the commission of 2 or 3% (could go up to 5 % in some places). American Express, Thomas Cook and Visa traveler's cheques are the best-known and easiest to change. However, it is advisable to bring some cash, especially small notes, as traveler's cheques are not accepted as a payment.
Credit cards, including Visa,MasterCard, and American Express are now accepted at the most banks, hotels, restaurants and big department stores. You may withdraw your cash with Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) widely available throughout St.Petersburg or directly at a bank with a clerk there. As with all foreign currency transactions, a commission will also be taken. You should check in shops whether they have any additional charges if you pay with a credit card. You will need rubles for regular stores and local transportation. It could be difficult to use your card out of the city.  
It is possible to receive money here by wire transfer through Western Unionat the centrally located banks.

If you travel to Russia by car you should obtain the following:

• International Driving Permit and home Driver's license;
• Passport and valid visa (with recorded car registration number);
• Vehicle registration documents (please make sure you have the original papers with the car, concerned rented vehicles);
• Customs declaration, obliging you to take your vehicle back, out of Russia (receiving at the border);
• Insurance cover.

The vehicle should be fully insured under a policy valid in Russia. Insurance carriers offices are located at all crossing points. A road tax is also payable upon entry to the country.             Travelers really should ask for a Russian stamp on their entry customs declaration form to avoid the serious troubles on departure!  The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. As elsewhere in Europe, drive on the right, overtake (pass) on the left, and yield right-of-way to all vehicles coming from the right unless otherwise indicated. Right turn on red is forbidden. The use of seat belts is compulsory for front-seat passengers. Drinking and Driving is prohibited! Your car should be supplied with Warning Triangle; First Aid Kit and Fire Extinguisher. Speed limits are as follows:

• 20 kph (12 mph) in the residential zones;
• 60kph (37mph) in the built-up areas;
• 90kph (60mph) outside built-up areas;
• 110kph (68mph) on highways.

Traffic-police posts are marked by big Cyrillic letters: дру or зйвдд or збй.

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