Travel Costs in Russia
All figures are approximate estimates in USD for comparison.
- Budget / day
- $35
- Mid-range / day
- $90
- Luxury / day
- $300
- Budget meal
- $4
- Coffee
- $2.5
- Local transport
- $0.5
- Budget hotel
- $15
- Mid-range hotel
- $55
Overview
Russia is generally an affordable destination for international travelers, with food, local transport, and accommodation costing significantly less than in Western Europe or North America. Moscow and St. Petersburg are the most expensive cities, where hotel and dining costs can rise noticeably, while regional cities remain very budget-friendly. However, international travelers face practical challenges including payment card restrictions due to sanctions, making cash management a critical consideration.
Notes
Carry sufficient cash in USD or Euros to exchange locally, as most international credit and debit cards no longer function in Russia due to sanctions; using the metro and marshrutkas for transport will save substantial money compared to taxis.