Russia is generally safe for tourists in major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. Exercise standard precautions: avoid political discussions, stay aware of surroundings, and follow local news. Remote regions and border areas have different considerations. Register with your embassy before traveling. Avoid large crowds or demonstrations.

Budget varies significantly by region. Moscow and St. Petersburg are expensive (similar to Western European cities). Mid-range daily costs: $60–120 for accommodation, $15–30 for meals, $5–15 for transport. Siberia and smaller cities offer better value. Trans-Siberian Railway costs $1,500–3,000 depending on class and duration.

Typical two-week itinerary: Days 1–4 Moscow (Kremlin, Red Square, museums); Days 5–9 St. Petersburg (Hermitage, palaces, canals); Days 10–14 Trans-Siberian Railway toward Lake Baikal or fly to Kamchatka. Alternatively, focus on one region to reduce travel stress and explore deeply.

Summer (May–September) offers pleasant weather, long daylight hours, and accessible transportation. Winter (December–February) transforms cities into snow landscapes and offers unique experiences like ice skating and winter festivals. Shoulder seasons (April, October) are less crowded but unpredictable. Avoid March–April slush.

Domestic flights connect distant cities efficiently but cost $100–400. Trains are iconic and affordable ($30–200 for long distances); the Trans-Siberian Railway is legendary. Buses cover regional routes cheaply. Moscow and St. Petersburg have excellent metro systems. Ride-sharing apps work in major cities.

Russians value directness and formality initially. Handshakes are standard greetings. Avoid discussing politics or Ukraine. Tipping is not expected but appreciated (5–10% in restaurants). Remove shoes when entering homes. Photography restrictions exist at military sites and some museums. Learn basic Russian phrases—English is limited outside major cities.

Lake Baikal offers pristine wilderness and unique seal populations. The Altai Mountains provide stunning trekking away from crowds. Kamchatka Peninsula features geysers and remote landscapes. Golden Ring towns near Moscow showcase traditional Russian architecture. Solovki Islands offer Arctic history. Irkutsk serves as a cultural gateway to Siberia with excellent museums.

Moscow: Kremlin, Red Square, Bolshoi Theatre. St. Petersburg: Hermitage Museum, Winter Palace, Church of the Savior on Blood. Lake Baikal: pristine waters and hiking. Trans-Siberian Railway: iconic multi-day journey. Kamchatka: geysers and volcanoes. Golden Ring: historic monasteries and traditional villages.

Minimum 5–7 days covers Moscow and St. Petersburg basics. Two weeks allows Trans-Siberian Railway or Siberia exploration. Three weeks enables deeper regional travel (Kamchatka, Lake Baikal, Golden Ring). Ultra-long journeys like full Trans-Siberian (Moscow to Vladivostok) require 10–14 days on trains alone.

Touratu maps Instagram photos and YouTube videos to real Russian destinations, helping you discover authentic locations beyond guidebooks. Explore geo-tagged content from Lake Baikal, St. Petersburg palaces, and Moscow neighborhoods. Find hidden viewpoints, local experiences, and trending spots by browsing visual travel inspiration tied to exact map locations.