Russia is the world's largest country, spanning eleven time zones from Europe to Asia. From the grandeur of Moscow's Red Square and St. Petersburg's palaces to the Trans-Siberian Railway and Lake Baikal, Russia offers unparalleled cultural heritage, dramatic landscapes, and unique experiences.
Russia is generally safe for tourists in terms of street crime — violent crime against foreigners is rare and major cities have low rates of petty theft compared to Western European capitals. However, significant geopolitical risks exist due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Western government travel advisories, visa restrictions, and the risk of arbitrary detention particularly for foreign nationals of NATO countries.
Current safety advisory
High
Most Western governments (US, UK, EU, Australia) advise against all or non-essential travel to Russia due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, risk of arbitrary detention, limited consular assistance, and restricted flight access. Travellers who do go should register with their embassy, avoid political commentary, and have contingency plans for emergency evacuation.
Last updated: 2025-01
Official advisories
Guidance from national travel-advisory services.
Do Not Travel (Level 4)
Do not travel to Russia due to the unpredictable consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine, risk of harassment or detention by Russian security services, and limited ability of the US Embassy to assist US citizens
Advise Against All Travel
The FCDO advises against all travel to Russia. Travellers may face risk of arbitrary detention; Russian authorities have detained foreigners on spurious charges
Advise Against Non-Essential Travel
Exercise a high degree of caution in Russia overall. Australian government's ability to provide consular assistance is severely limited
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Register with your embassy before travel
Avoid political demonstrations and gatherings
Keep copies of passport and visa separately
Be aware of surveillance and monitoring
Exercise extreme caution in border regions
Biometric data collection required at Moscow airports since December 2024
Carry your passport and visa at all times — police may check documents anywhere
Download offline maps; Google Maps works but Yandex Maps is more accurate locally
Most Western payment cards do not work in Russia; bring sufficient cash USD/EUR to exchange
Learn a few Cyrillic characters and basic Russian phrases; English is rarely spoken outside tourist areas
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Fake Police Document Check
Plain-clothes individuals claiming to be police officers ask to check your passport and wallet for 'counterfeit currency'. Real police wear uniform and cannot demand to check wallets.
How to avoid: Always ask for official ID; go to a police station if concerned; never hand over wallet; contact your embassy if detained
Street Money Exchange
People offering to exchange currency at excellent rates on the street — a practice that was common in Soviet times but is now a scam involving counterfeit or short-changed notes.
How to avoid: Always exchange at official bank branches or licensed exchange bureaus (обмен валюты) with posted rates
Taxi Overcharging
Unlicensed taxis near airports, train stations, and tourist areas quote inflated prices to foreigners not knowing local rates. Some drivers take longer routes.
How to avoid: Use Yandex Taxi app exclusively — fare shown upfront; ignore all approaches from men offering taxi near airports and stations
Bar Girls Scam
Attractive women at tourist bars invite men to buy drinks, then produce an enormous bill including hostess fees. Bills can reach hundreds of dollars before security appears to enforce payment.
How to avoid: Avoid bars with overly friendly female 'greeters' at the entrance; check prices before ordering; stick to well-reviewed bars
Fake Tour Operators
Street vendors selling tour packages, tickets, or city cards at inflated prices near major attractions. Some tickets are counterfeit.
How to avoid: Buy museum tickets only at official websites or on-site ticket offices; book tours through established agencies
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP), Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid for rural areas, Tick-borne encephalitis if visiting forests in summer
- Water
- Not safe to drink. Buy bottled water or boil tap water. Use bottled water for brushing teeth.
- Food
- Facilities
- Widely available in cities, called 'Apteka' (Аптека)
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Solo travellers
Moscow and St. Petersburg are relatively safe for solo travellers in terms of street crime. Main risks are overcharging by unofficial taxis, petty theft in very crowded areas, and for foreign nationals, interactions with police. Download Yandex Taxi, keep embassy contact details, avoid political discussions, and stay in well-reviewed accommodation. Night travel by metro is fine until closing at 01:00.
Female travellers
Female travellers generally experience Russia as safe for solo travel. Street harassment is less common than in many countries though catcalling occurs occasionally. Dress conservatively when visiting churches. Be aware that if entering banya, mixed bathing requires swimwear. Night-time: use Yandex Taxi rather than walking alone; stick to well-lit central areas. The current legal climate regarding women's rights is concerning to many travellers.
Families
Russia is family-friendly in terms of facilities, safety, and Russian cultural attitudes — Russians adore children and will go out of their way to help. Practical safety: bottled water only (tap not safe), pharmacies (Apteka) everywhere for children's medicine, metro stairs difficult with strollers but escalators available. Avoid areas near Ukraine border region (Belgorod, Rostov) entirely.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Russia is legally and socially hostile to LGBTQ+ individuals. The 2023 Supreme Court ruling designated the 'international LGBT movement' as extremist, making public expressions of same-sex relationships potentially criminal. Same-sex relationships are not recognised by law. Public displays of affection between same-sex couples can lead to arrest or assault. LGBTQ+ travellers should exercise extreme discretion; dedicated LGBTQ+ venues exist underground in Moscow and St. Petersburg but are not recommended for foreign visitors.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 102 (mobile), 02 (landline)
- Medical
- 103 (mobile), 03 (landline)
- Embassy
- Tourist Police