Russian Rubles

Has anyone had any difficulty buying rubles?? a group of us are on a Baltic cruise in June, one of the ladies said her bank would not sell her any Russian currency. Does being from the US make a difference?

Has anyone had any difficulty buying rubles?? a group of us are on a Baltic cruise in June, one of the ladies said her bank would not sell her any Russian currency. Does being from the US make a difference?

You really don't need to exchange money for rubles. Most tour groups will give you some, or sell you some if there is a need for them. or else, you will have little chance to use them. Most souvenirs stops take credit cards or US dollars, and just about everything else is self included.

Cheers

Len

Has anyone had any difficulty buying rubles?? a group of us are on a Baltic cruise in June, one of the ladies said her bank would not sell her any Russian currency. Does being from the US make a difference?

Not many places outside of Russia sell Roubles

My friend managed to get some from her credit union here in Ontario but most banks do not have them

When we stopped in Murmansk people got some at the ATM near the gift shop in a hotel

We also didn’t buy any rubles. We paid by a credit card for the tours and used US $ for souvenirs. We left tips in US $ as well.

Jess:)

We did a Russian River tour that included hotels in Moscow and STP. Both major cities had many money changing offices at fair rates. Our hotels had good exchange rates as well. Our hotels had ATMs as well, which are widespread.

Just don't overbuy Rubles, since inflation is significant in Russia and no one outside of Russia wants them.

So, get em and spend em.

For the most part, there is no need to exchange money for any Baltic cruise especially for Russia. 99% of guests doing a Baltic Cruise including St. Petersburg make their arrangements through either the cruise line excursion desk or with an independent tour opeator such as Alla or SPB or whatever. You will have no need for Russian money. None. Zilch. Everything is prepaid on these tours (even ones that you plan with the tour group) and, for example, the included subway ride on many, the tour guide pays. Whatever shopping to be done for souvenirs will be at places that take US money or euro or sterling or credit cards.

Quite frankly, you probably don't need money for any of the other ports as you can always use an ATM but I suppose if you're not doing an excursion and are walking off the ship, you probably need some local currency for the local transport if not buying a tour from the ship line or some indpendent operator.

Depending on your mode of travel, unless you're flying in on the day of departure say to Copenhagen, you might be arriving a day or two early (my suggestion, I hate travelling to catch a cruise on the same day but understand sometimes it cannot be avoided) you might need local currency but then again you can always pick some up at an airport ATM. For shopping, in most cases, you can use a credit card and don't believe all this nonsense that there are big problems with American credit cards. There are some but they are minimal or if you're from the USA, there are now several credit cards available for free that have the emv chip you read widely about.

We can get Russian roubles from our English bank, but I don't think we shall bother. We already have some Euros left from a trip to Paris last weekend and we will get a few Danish and Swedish krona.

For the most part, there is no need to exchange money for any Baltic cruise especially for Russia. 99% of guests doing a Baltic Cruise including St. Petersburg make their arrangements through either the cruise line excursion desk or with an independent tour opeator such as Alla or SPB or whatever. You will have no need for Russian money. None. Zilch. Everything is prepaid on these tours (even ones that you plan with the tour group) and, for example, the included subway ride on many, the tour guide pays. Whatever shopping to be done for souvenirs will be at places that take US money or euro or sterling or credit cards.

 

Quite frankly, you probably don't need money for any of the other ports as you can always use an ATM but I suppose if you're not doing an excursion and are walking off the ship, you probably need some local currency for the local transport if not buying a tour from the ship line or some indpendent operator.

 

 

 

 

Depending on your mode of travel, unless you're flying in on the day of departure say to Copenhagen, you might be arriving a day or two early (my suggestion, I hate travelling to catch a cruise on the same day but understand sometimes it cannot be avoided) you might need local currency but then again you can always pick some up at an airport ATM. For shopping, in most cases, you can use a credit card and don't believe all this nonsense that there are big problems with American credit cards. There are some but they are minimal or if you're from the USA, there are now several credit cards available for free that have the emv chip you read widely about.

Thank you for your input. We are flying in to Copenhagen 2 days early, so we do plan to have some Danish money for incidentals like eating!!

But as for Russia based on the comments I read, we will rely on CC and US Dollars.

We will be on a SPB tour while in St Petersburg. Will we need Russian roubles for the restroom or to purchase a bottle of water?

NO Sandy.

The tour itself has several rest room stops (usually at souvenir shops, with some vodka tasting to go along with that).

And water is usually supplied by all the tour companies, free of charge.

So relax and get ready to enjoy your trip.

Cheers

Len

Has anyone had any difficulty buying rubles?? a group of us are on a Baltic cruise in June, one of the ladies said her bank would not sell her any Russian currency. Does being from the US make a difference?

No problem at all. If you are interested in getting any, search for a currency exchange in your area. They seem to be a better bet than most banks when it comes to this and they have better rates typically than what you find on board the ship. I found one in a local mall and was able to get many denominations in Krona, Ruble, and Euro. I would agree with several previous posters that it's really not necessary if you plan to keep to the tour path (when in Russia) as they will make sure you are taken care of (access to WC, water, and basic foods). We did stop at a small church which had an icon shop run by old Russian ladies and I know they would have been happy to take some USD but it was just easier to pay the 'face value' price in Ruble rather than have them break out their tourist prices :D We also stopped at a local food market. Again, I'm sure they would love to take your USD but I purchased some sausage and cheese which was delish from their deli and it made for a more personal experience. Learning to say please and thank you in different languages goes a long way... I was even able to get a frosty Russian to crack a smile when attempting to communicate. :D

We got a small amount in the cruise terminal in St Peterburg. There were two ATM's.

We have some Roubles to give as tips to guide & driver, if we need any for incidentals such as ice cream we will top pup with Dollars.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I purchased 1500 rubles....just want to have some money available for gifts and really don't want to use credit card. What I have left over I will give to the guide over and above her tip.

I purchased 1500 rubles....just want to have some money available for gifts and really don't want to use credit card. What I have left over I will give to the guide over and above her tip.

Not to question what you want to do, but using a Credit Card is just a better option in case there is ever a problem with anything that you buy. Say you buy a souvenir and when you get home you notice something amiss with it. By using a CC you have the other options as to what to do. If you used the cash, you have none and are stuck with whatever you bought.

I'm not saying that will happen, but using a CC just gives you some security. Things do happen, as I'm sure you know, even with the best intentions.

Cheers

Len

Not to question what you want to do, but using a Credit Card is just a better option in case there is ever a problem with anything that you buy. Say you buy a souvenir and when you get home you notice something amiss with it. By using a CC you have the other options as to what to do. If you used the cash, you have none and are stuck with whatever you bought.

I'm not saying that will happen, but using a CC just gives you some security. Things do happen, as I'm sure you know, even with the best intentions.

 

Cheers

 

Len

I would use my credit card at museum gift shops if there was something I really wanted but if I bought something at a store or a market stall I would use cash. In market, you can get a better deal when using cash. Plus I understand there is a lot of organized crime in Russia with credit card duplication ending up there so I am not taking chances.

We just ordered some Rubles at one of our local banks with no problem.

Not to argue right or wrong on the question of purchasing currencies before arriving for a trip out of country, whether it be a cruise, an escorted tour or on your own (frankly, I don't find it necessary in the 21st century. I use my credit cards everywhere and ATM's in this day and age are plentiful everywhere but have a little US cash just in case and am ready to use an exchange office but have never had to), on the Russian tours there's hardly much time to visit markets or stores outside the tour. They are extremely regimented and while not as regimented as during the communist era, you will not find all that many opportunities, if any, to mingle with local and use local currency. The shops they will bring you to all will take credit cards and convertible currency such as US dollars, euro, or sterling or hong kong dollars or...

But if you feel better having Russian currency, that is certainly your perogative. Just don't think it is necessary.

Len- Thanks for letting me know I won't need roubles. We will just plan to use our credit card if we purchase anything. The only thing I plan on buying is a set of nesting dolls.

I found all of the posts regarding currency very helpful. At my bank here in Canada I was told there would be a $10 fee for each currency exchange (we have 6 different currencies on our cruise). They told me to go to a local currency exchange where I will be charged $6 total in fees - and if I keep my receipt I can have it all changed back with no fee. Our credit card has been skimmed on 2 separate holidays so we like to keep a bit of local currency in our pockets!

I found all of the posts regarding currency very helpful. At my bank here in Canada I was told there would be a $10 fee for each currency exchange (we have 6 different currencies on our cruise). They told me to go to a local currency exchange where I will be charged $6 total in fees - and if I keep my receipt I can have it all changed back with no fee. Our credit card has been skimmed on 2 separate holidays so we like to keep a bit of local currency in our pockets!

Weird, I bank at the Royal and don't have to pay any fees. The only thing is if they have to order money in the exchange rate I am charge is the rate when I pick up the money. Too bad you don't live near Ottawa. There is a place here that there is no fee and they guarantee the best rates in the city.

Also, what they did not tell you is if you take the money back you will not get the same rate as what you bought it at. It will be lower so you will lose money. I never return money, I always keep it as I figure I will go again or someone can buy it off me....meet halfway between what I would get for it to cash it in and what they would have to pay to buy it and that way we both win.

I found all of the posts regarding currency very helpful. At my bank here in Canada I was told there would be a $10 fee for each currency exchange (we have 6 different currencies on our cruise). They told me to go to a local currency exchange where I will be charged $6 total in fees - and if I keep my receipt I can have it all changed back with no fee. Our credit card has been skimmed on 2 separate holidays so we like to keep a bit of local currency in our pockets!

Also make sure you know what fees will be on your credit card as well. I was researching this for our trip this summer and discovered my TD card charges 2.5% (pretty much standard for a Canadian CC), but on top of that will only convert major currencies direct to CDN $ (USD, EUR, GBP). For all other currencies, they will first convert to USD (taking 2.5%), then convert from USD to CDN. This included Danish Kroner, Swedish Kroner and Russian Rubles.

So, haul out your CC Terms and Conditions and see how they work their FX. It can put in context how much cash to carry with you and the fees for doing that may be worth it.

Will we need Russian roubles for the restroom or to purchase a bottle of water?

During our tour (we booked an individual tour with the Best guides) we had several restrooms stops. Taking in consideration that we traveled with a kid of 3 we needed quite a few stops. All the restrooms were in the souvenir shops where we also had chance to relax and try Russian vodka. We don’t drink vodka by the idea is good. All the museums also had restroom which were much more crowded. Several bottles of water were provided by a tour company. I think it’s a common practice. We didn’t need any rubles at all. We gave tips in US $. Our guide and drive were obviously happy with it.

Jess :)

When traveling away from home networks it is a good idea to be flexible. For example, having either euros or dollars can be exchanged in many kiosks for Rubles which can save you 10% or more in fees and exchange rate by not getting rubles outside the country.

If you try to use a card, be sure it works in Russia. Many from the US find that their card does not work since chip and pin is not universal in the US but is in Russia and Europe.

Also be prepared if another sanction is placed on Russia, the US controls VISA and MasterCard so was able to shut down access to the network for millions of Russians. In many cases, unless you are booked with a US company of one using US card processing, credit cards might not be usable if any more sanctions are imposed. If you are touring with a Russian company, you might want to be prepared by paying cash on arrival instead of depending card use in case of problems. Ask them who their card processing company is, if US, European or UK, charges can be reliably taken care of before arrival.

I was locked out of access to my money in one of my Russian bank accounts for quite awhile since the card is used for access and withdrawal or even teller operations. Luckily I also had an account with Citibank in Russia and had money to live on.

Regarding spending money on tours, the only money needed is for gift purchases if yours is an all-inclusive tour. Some are and some aren't so ask if there are any payments to be made during the tour.

If you do not have pre-planned meals be sure to find out what type or restaurant is used so you can plan accordingly for paying for lunches. Fast food is about the same price as Europe or slightly lower but higher than North America which has about the cheapest food in the world. More formal dining will be more expensive than at home.

Souvenirs, if bought from street vendors or kiosks are primarily Chinese so are relatively cheap. Russian made items are not cheap, particularly jewelry. If you are searching for amber, I suggest being well versed on how to tell real amber and plastic resin. It is hard to tell unless you work with it all the time. There are simple tests however but looking at it can give negative indicators such as if it has an intact insect encapsulated in it, it is almost surely fake, but still can be an attractive desirable artifact. Intact insects in clean amber are highly valuable collector items and will not be found in souvenir shops.

Altho USD isn't our home currency, that's what we used in cash for our Alla tour fee because that was the price quoted & it avoided any difficulties over credit cards/fees or exchange rates.

We took enough roubles to cover the guide's tip. Roubles aren't difficult to obtain in the UK & we seem to get better exchange rates than Americans. This meant we had the comfort of local currency in our pockets without the risk of useless left-over roubles. We needed some for beers with our lunch (I think lunch is included on all operators' private tours though for some intensive tours that's a packed lunch) & the restaurants accepted only roubles - no foreign & no plastic.

We made up the shortfall in the tip in euros but any major currency very acceptable.

Street traders at the various stops accept any major currencies though I don't know about value-for-money.

We were taken to a well-stocked souvenir shop which Alla effectively used as an office to sort out tour payments while we browsed.

Clean free washroom - and free coffee IIRC.

Goods ranged from cheap tourist tat to quality products, plenty of variety & something for every pocket. Plastic & all major currencies accepted.

Doubtless poorer value than could be gotten by hard-bargaining with street traders but although I sometimes enjoy that sort of challenge with stall-holders, I ignore street traders because showing the slightest interest in something means being pursued down the street. Peaceful browsing in the shop was a welcome change.

JB :)