Russia is the world’s largest nation, it borders European countries, Asian countries along with the Pacific and Arctic oceans. Famous for Moscow’s Bolshoi and St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky ballet companies. Russia is a great country to visit, whenever you have time and you are planning for your vacation destination. But sometimes when we are travelling to a new country that we are not familiar with, like Russia, we will not know how to pack for Russia!
Some of us might be from a tropical climate country, therefore we need the necessary changes in clothes when we are visiting Russia, because russia’s cold climate is not something we are used to. Nevertheless, besides the weather factors, there are several other factors in Russia that we must be aware about before visiting this amazing Country, so that we are prepared and are comfortable.
Visa
How to pack for Russia? The main thing before you travel to any country is that you need to have your Visa with you, all the time. Especially in Russia, you will need to have your Visa, make sure that it is valid during the exact dates of your travel, and make sure that you bring it along with you wherever you go just in case of random police checks that may occur. So don’t make your travelling experience stopped by a simple Visa.
Rubles
How to pack for Russia in a smart and efficient manner? Like most other countries, you must always bring some cash along with you, especially in the country’s currency, you will most likely need it. Russia has many tourists every year, and they will all use the ATMs in the airport, but it is possible for them to be out of order in Russia, so be sure to have some Rubles with you, about 1000 Rubles is recommended to have with you in cash. Be sure that the bills are in good condition, its common for damaged bills to be rejected.
Money Belt
If you are planning on seeing tourists attractions, or travelling to Moscow or St. Petersburg, you really need to make sure that you have an excellent way of securing your money. A money belt is one good way to secure your money, it is small, easily concealed and it is securely fastened to your waist. If you don’t have that option then a small bag that sits close to your body that comes with a secure closure.
Souvenirs
If you are planning to stay with a host family, or interact with Russian people extensively in general, it is always really nice and appreciated for you to bring small souvenirs from your own country like mugs, t-shirts, keychains, etc. Imagine if you were a host family for tourists, you would appreciate if you got some gifts as well, right? It goes both ways, so be sure to bring something for the host family and the other Russians. These are certainly useful tips on how to pack for Russia!
Toilet Paper
Toilet Paper is something that is just really important for everyone, many toilets around often run out of toilet paper, so it is absolutely essential for you to have some toilet paper that you can access to easily. In Russia it is no exception, their toilets might sometimes be dirty and unkept, and you will most likely not find toilet paper inside, so bring some with you so you can keep yourself comfortable while you go.
Hand Sanitizer
If you are planning to get around Russia by train, then you really need to have a small can of Lysol along with a small bottle of hand sanitizer. This is just for the train toilets, they may probably be the worst toilets in Russia. So it is a good idea for you to have some sort of way to disinfect the toilet or seat, and then to clean your hands with the hand sanitizer. Don’t let this ruin your time in Russia.
Scarf
How to pack for Russia where there are some sensitivities to take care of? If you are a woman, and you are planning to visit the religious monuments in Russia, it is important for you to know that you should have a scarf or shawl to cover your head. It is not obligatory but it is appreciated, nevertheless, if you are feeling cold, the scarf or shawl may come in handy as well to help keep you warm, so bring a scarf along, it will really be useful for yourself and if you’re visiting religious monuments.
Umbrella
This should be self explanatory, Russian weather is quite unpredictable, and even if you are travelling in the summer, it might still rain all of a sudden. So it is absolutely important for you to bring an umbrella, especially if you are travelling to St.Petersburg or northern Russia. Don’t let yourself get wet and get your holiday ruined, travel wisely and know the weather that the country has.
Clubbing Attire
If you are one of those people who love clubbing, then there should be no doubt that you will probably visit the many clubs in Moscow and St. Petersburg, but you must know that there is a strict dress code in many of these clubs and if you are not up to their standards, they will just simply not let you in. So don’t show up in shorts, jeans and t-shirts, that is fine if you are going to a bar.
Easy-To-Carry Bags
This is how to pack for Russia who are planning to take the metro, you should avoid oversized rolly suitcases and suitcases that are similar to those. Many of these metro stations do not have escalators but what they do have is huge staircases that must be climbed to get into and out of the stations. So have a suitcase that has straps on it, so you can carry it easier and be less of a burden to yourself.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to pack for Russia, there should not be any problems and you should start planning your trips soon. But as with all travelling destinations, many mishaps can occur, and it is important that you have travel insurance. Allianz Travel Care is offering travel insurance from the price of only RM 16/trip, it is among the cheapest out there, visit PolicyStreet.com to learn more.
