TIPS AND TRICKS FOR YOUR SUCCESSFUL STAY IN MOSCOW

You will find out very quickly, that things work differently in Russia than in other western European countries or in the US. Therefore, we have put together at short list with some important aspects to ensure you a pleasant stay. (--> Visit also our special Moscow page)

A lot of information is difficult to access for foreigners due to the lack of public postings and printed information, even if things are getting better now. Also, laws and rules change everyday, so that nobody can keep track of everything. The number one rule is: "Ask as many people as you can. If more than half tell the same, the probability that it is correct is very high."

It may well be that people on the street also approach you with questions. Here is a list of important numbers and agencies that provide information for tickets, museums, telephone numbers, addresses, flights etc.

general information (theater program, concerts, addresses): 05 or from public phones: 292 53 81 phone directory service for Moscow: 09 general information (phone numbers, addresses, concerts, events) 927 00 09 lost & found: 923 87 53 (buses), 222 20 85 (metro) emergency calls: fire department: 01, police: 02, medical aid: 03 medical assistance: 255 00 06, 205 05 50, 303 13 33 Intourist: 923 85 75, 923 88 40 (Fax: 230 23 87, 924 84 81) information on Russian railway: all numbers from 266 99 00 to 266 99 99, railway tickets: 266 83 33 information on international flights (Aeroflot): 156 80 02, 155 09 22 Moscow State University Language Center: Tel. 939 51 49, Fax 939 56 92, Telex: 411 483 MGU SU taxi: 05-3 wheather forcast for Moscow: 9759133

English/Russian/English Electronic Dictionary

A large collection on useful addresses can be found in "All Moscow", a publication usually sold on streets for a few dollars. And of course, the internet is a valuable source for information (--> check out our links)

The largest selection of books can be found at the famous Dom Knigi, Arbatskaya 26, open everyday from 11.00-20.00, at Biblioglobus, Miasnitskaya st. (metro Loubianka), same schedule, or at Dom Knigi "Moskva", Tverskaya 8, open every day till 1.00. Both also sell antiques and music. For classic literature and dictionaries, go to the library called Progress, at Zubovskij Boulvar 25 (metro Park Koultouriy), open daily.

Current weather in Moscow: Extended weather forecast from Yahoo

The summer in Moscow is comparable with northern European summers, hot but with frequent showers. So, don't forget a sweater and raincoat. Nights and evenings can get cold even in July and August, so bring enough warm clothes. People usually dress casually, but jeans are not really admitted for a visit to the Bolshoi Theater. In churches, you should always wear clothing covering your shoulders and wrist. In some Orthodox churches outside Moscow, females may be asked to wear a long skirt and a scarf. Shoes should be strong, light and comfortable, as you will have to walk a lot while touring around Moscow. During winter times (November - March), warm clothing is essential.

Cockroaches are sometimes called domestic animals of Moscow since they populate many Russian homes, especially student dorms. They are active only at night, harmless, but able to eat away all accessible food within hours. Usually, people would leave on lights all night in the kitchen to prevent cockroaches.

A Russian Restaurant is not only a place to eat out, but also a place to be entertained. Usually, live bands will play from 20⁰⁰-24⁰⁰ and people will sing and dance. The quality of the bands is usually measured by the volume rather than by the quality of the sound. Eating times are different from Western Europen habit:

Lunch: 14.00-15.00
Dinner: 19.00-21.00

For small dishes, you may also consider Cafes to eat out. They are usually cheaper and don't have music.

Prices for a meal are around 10-20$ in a cheap restaurant. Middle class and exquisite restaurants charge 2-5 times more. Bringing your own wine/drinks is not allowed. Tipping, "chaiaviye" in Russian meaning "tea money", is expected (10-15%) for good service and added (10-15%) to the bill in some upper class restaurants. Unlike Europe, the "service" is usually only included in the bill if there is a large group, and this will usually be noted in the menu.

If you are planning to stay at the guest house of MGU, you will have the possibility to use one of the big kitchens on each floor of the University guest house, if you want to try out your own Russian cuisine. The kitchens are not equipped with tools, so you have to buy or bring your own.

Electricity in Russia is 220 V 50 Hz AC. Sockets require a European-type plug or adapter. Phone and modem jacks are different from other European countries or the US, and you might want to bring a converter if you need to work online with your computer. Trains usually provide sockets for electric razors.

The university offers numerous entertainment possibilities such as films, concerts, theaters, discos, excursions, etc.

Look out at the message boards at MGU and other places. Moscow offers a rich variety of cultural events, operas, theaters, and concerts. Some good night clubs and discos are usually found attached to big hotels. A selection of places is available on our pages.

Antiques and pieces of art such as 'paintings, drawings, sculptures, icons , books and pieces of archeological value' are generally forbidden to export. However, with permission of the Russian ministry of culture, info: 925 11 95, and a 100% tax of the estimated value, export is officially allowed. This procedure is lengthy and time consuming and only worth if you want to experience the Russian bureaucracy.

Customs will also inform you about maximum allowance of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and money to export. The most severe restriction is imposed on money. You are not allowed to take out more money than you declared when you entered the country.

You will be asked to fill out a customs declaration when you enter and leave the country. Please make sure that your indications are accurate for at least the parts of luggage you want to show a customs officer when being asked to present the valuables declared. Exporting other goods for commercial purpose is strictly regulated. Inquire in our office for specific details.

If a Russian family hosts you for your accommodation, you will very soon take part to their everyday life. There might be things that you don't agree with or that are unknown to you. To avoid misunderstandings, set times for meals and using bathrooms and showers. It's expected that you are generous to the family if they organize theater tickets, visits of museums, excursions, etc.

Russians are great present givers and will present you with souvenirs when invited at Russian homes. Great gifts to give include specialties from your home town or country, chocolate, coffee, key rings, baseball caps, army knives, foreign coins or badges, watches, perfumes, etc. All Western goods are usually available in Moscow now, so don't bother with goods you think Russians still be deprived of. The days where a pair of jeans equalled a month's salary are long gone. If you are invited to private homes for dinner, bring a bottle of wine, candies, fine tobacco or a bouquet of flowers (odd numbers of flowers only, even number of flowers are only given at funerals). A small gift for children is always appropriate. Be prepared to accept all drinks and food offered when visiting friends. Refusing a drink or a toast is a serious breach of etiquette.

National holidays are many in Russia. If a holiday falls on Thursday, then Friday and Saturday may also be a holiday. If a holiday falls on the weekend, then Monday will be generally also considered as a holiday.

Holidays in 2007

Presidential elections are planned for March 9, 2008.

Universities including Moscow State University start on September 1st, and finish on July, 1st with a winter break from January 25th to February 8th.

Always take your valuables and documents into your hand luggage. Carry money and passports underneath your cloths to prevent losses from robberies, which occur frequently at train stations or airports. Always lock your luggage with a separate lock, since cases of theft have been reported even from airport workers opening pieces of luggage.

- 'Litpharm', Ul Tschernjachovskogo 4, Tel: 155 87 88, 155 70 80
- 'Pharmakon', Ul. Tverskaja 4, Tel 292 08 43, 292 03 01
- 'Sana', Ul. Nischn. Pervomaiskaja 65, Tel 464 12 54
- Hotel 'Mezhdunarodnaya'

There is a medical center on the university campus where you have access in case an emergency. A small fee may be asked to cover material costs. If you wish to cover general medical treatment for non-emergencies, you may purchase a 60$ per month medical insurance from the same center.

- European Medical Center (Spiridonievskiy Per. 5, maison 1), Tel. 933 66 55
- American Medical Center (1 Grokholsky Pereulok, 129090 Moscow), Tel. 937 5760
- International SOS Clinic (Polyclinic No. 1, 31 Grokholsky Pereulok, 129010 Moscow), Tel. 933 7700

Make sure your insurance will cover the costs at these clinics. Entering the clinics, you might be asked to make a deposit by credit card.

No vaccinations are required for Western tourists visiting Moscow and Russia in general. If you spend more than 3 months in Russia, you must present evidence of a recent AIDS test when applying for a visa. Please check also the US government travel health pages or Travel Health Online for current medical recommendations/requirements and disesase outbreaks in countries you may plan to visit.

Hard currency is still required in Moscow to survive even though a number of restaurants, bars and expensive shops accept credit cards. Cash advancements on credit cards are possible in several banks, but commissions usually as high as 2-4% in addition to the commission required from you issuing bank are imposed. There are several ATM's for EC International that spit out roubles. Inside the University, many ATM's accept various credit cards, like Mastercard and VISA cards, and and debit cards, like the one belonging to the Plus net. Your issuing bank of your credit card will be able to tell you exact locations in Moscow for ATM's. Locate all VISA ATM's or Mastercard ATM's.

Hard currency should be used in small denominations like $1 to $20 but almost everything has to be paid in rubles and hard currency may be refused. For larger changes at currency exchange offices, $50 or $100 bills should be used. Make sure that all you $ notes are new (newer than 1989) and in immaculate condition, since torn, creased or strongly worn notes will be rejected by banks. Usually, a minimal amount of $50-$100 is asked to change to get good exchange rates. Russia introduced new roubles in 1998, devaluating the old roubles by a factor of 1000. At the end of 2006, no older rouble banknotes were in circulation anymore. Consult our list of Russian banknotes to check.

The yearly inflation rate is now estimated to be stable at around 5-10% per year. The exchange rate for rouble is oscillating around 28 roubles and expected to be stable due to the strong economy.

It is good advice to take a few passport photographs with you. You will need them at the first week to establish your student card, library card, monthly transportation cards, etc. It used to be hard to get photographs in Moscow, however, there are photo shops now at every Metro station, so don't worry too much.

Mobile phones (GSM 900 + 1800 standard) also work in most urban areas with good quality including Irkutsk and Lake Baikal.

You may always use our FAX number to send and receive personal faxes at our office:
1st Humanitarian building, 1st floor, A 175
FAX: +7 095 939 09 80
Open Monday-Friday, 10am to 7pm

-->Map of the MGU campus with location of our office

photographing, films

Even though there are officially no restrictions, people still consider filming or photographing railway stations, military installation, airports, etc. unlawful. Using flashes in churches or during performances is usually not allowed. Museums may ask for special fees if you want to take flash pictures. Film material and development agencies are abundant.

Mobile phones (GSM 900 standard) also work in most urban areas with good quality. You may also lease a cellular phone in Moscow for the duration of stay. Other radio electronic devices brought into Russia must have certificate from Glavgossvyaznadzor - including all emitting, transmitting, & receiving equipment such as GPS devices, satellite phones, and other kinds of radio electronic equipment. Excluded from are, of course, consumer electronic devices such as AM/FM radios.

You can bring your laptop to Russia without problems, as long as it is for personal use. You may be required to show that your laptop is functioning properly at the customs when entering the country!

Russia has good internet connections in all big cities. At MGU there are several internet cafes and in case of emergency, you also have access through our office. If you wish, you can get an online provider and direct access from your room. This however is only worth if you are planning to stay for min. 3 months since there are hefty set-up fees. There are also a couple of internet cafes in Moscow and all major cities of Russia.

If you are travelling, the post-office of any big city offers paid internet access in their business area (they also have printers, fax, photocopier, etc.)

If you need to buy some electronics, MGU hosts several electronic stores. The largest 'Electronic World' shop is on Leninskie prospekt, dom 70/11 (open from ñ 10.00 to 21.00, Sat/Sun from 10.00 to 20.00).

Visiting Moscow as a tourist can still be considered safer than visiting New York even though business and Mafia related crime has reached unprecedented highs. Beggars, especially gypsy children, will occasionally bother tourists. You should ignore them and walk away. Robberies and thefts have been reported at airports and train stations. So, watch out carefully for your luggage. Metro stations are safe even if you might find some drunken people returning home late at night. It is always best to be in a group of 2 or more. Official taxis are safe to ride, though expensive. A money-belt is essential to safeguard your documents and cash. You may also want to put your valuables into a safe at our office in Moscow or at the Russian Language Center. Moscow State University itself has a strict security system. In fact, all the university buildings, including the dorms, require an entry pass (called propusk) that you should always wear with you. Fore more about security, read a posting about security while travelling in Russia on our message board. Please also check your offical government pages for travel warnings.

Tickets for sport events are usually sold at the stadium. There is a huge sport complex near the university, where ice-hockey is played during the season. Other popular sport events are soccer games. The university campus offers a variety of sports and has almost a hundred different sports clubs with many famous athletes among its peers.

Train tickets are usually sold at the train stations where the trains bound for your destination leave. So, ask for tickets to St.Petersburg at the Leningradski train station, to Kazan and middle Asia at the Kazanski train station, to Western Europe at Belorusski station, for Trans-Siberian trains (except No 26 to Novosibirsk via Kazan, which leaves from Kazanski) from Yaroslavski (metro Komsomolskaya) station (go to kassa 45 on the second floor). There are also many state and private agencies selling tickets. The Central Railway Agency at Komsomolskaya Ploshchad (Tel 266 8333, metro Komsomolskaya) sells all domestic tickets. For international tickets, check out Agentsvo at 1 Lenningradsky Prospekt (Tel 262 0807, metro Beloruskaya). If you have a decent command of Russian, you should be able to do it yourself. In fact, if you study Russian, buying a train ticket is a real life experience where you can practice your Russian language skills.

We generally adivse to travel 2nd or 1st class. Second class travel (or hard-class) in long-distance trains entitles you to a berth in a four-person compartment. It is possible that you may have to share your compartment with persons of the opposite sex as there is no rule of who gets together in a compartment. First class travel (or soft-class) entitles you to a berth in a two-person compartment, giving you more privacy.

If you make purchases, you need to know the number of the train, the date you want to leave and the time the train leaves, in advance, since ticket clerks will not advise you on possible train connections, but just tell you whether there are places available for the train and destination you cite. Information on train schedules is available in all the train stations, both in written tables and on computers. If you want to purchase a ticket for your friend or another person, you need to have a legible passport copy of the person travelling with you.

We advise you to purchase tickets within 2-5 days prior to departure. Always bring your passport and valid identification with you to make reservations. If you fluently speak Russian, you can try to obtain discounted tickets with your Russian student identity card issued by MGU (if you are enrolled in our classes). These discounts can amount to 90% of the price you would pay as a foreigner! All tickets must be paid in roubles. Please note that while reservations can be made long before the departure, the actual tickets are only issued 45 days before departure (for international tickets), and 40 days for domestic tickets.

For stopovers, you need to buy separate tickets for each leg of a journey. In other words, if you would like to travel from Moscow to Peking, stopping over in Irkutsk and Ulan Bator, you need three separate tickets, specifying all your departure dates in advance (i.e., Moscow to Irkutsk, Irkutsk to Ulan Bator, Ulan Bator to Peking). In theory, with a Moscow-Beijing ticket you may stopover in Irkutsk, and with a notation from your conductor, your ticket could still be used to complete travel to Beijing if you pay a significant extra fee in Irkutsk for a reservation on your next train. However, we strongly advise you not to go through this route, as many people ended up not having a seat any more or paying significant bribes...

And if you like comfort, you can also get all train and flight tickets from our office and create your individual journey along the transsiberian.

Food is generally available on long-distance trains in the dining car. As these Cars are operated mostly by private people, quality differs a lot. Whereas you might find in some trains only hot dogs and bread, others will serve you delicious Russian food (for USD 5-10 for a menu). Usually, the Chinese dining cars are much better. Along the Trans-Siberian route the train stops at cities for 10-20 minutes, sufficient time to buy food from the many of vendors at the train stations. Bedding is not included in the price of tickets for sleeping compartments. The bedding fee of around USD 3 must be paid directly to the conductor.

When you travel by train, use common sense to prevent yourself from becoming a crime victim. When possible keep luggage in the compartment underneath your berth, and wear your valuables in a money belt. You can lock your sleeping compartment at nights, so travel on trains is generally considered very safe. Also note the security posting while traveling from our readers. Please also check-out offical government pages for travel warnings.

Tickets for local trains within Greater Moscow (Elektritschnaja) can be bought at the train station without passports or identification. Just ask people around where to buy the corresponding ticket to your destination.

Programs and tickets for all cultural events are usually available at small kiosks on streets or outside metro stations. Programs and available places are posted on the window. Don't expect the selling person to advice you with tickets.

The ticket office of the Bolshoi Theater (the season is from September-Mai, during the Summer the Bolshoi is closed) sells tickets online.

Tickets for the famous circus next to the university can be bought at special ticket offices outside the circus prior to the opening (usually at 19.00).

- drama theater, Ul. Malaja Bronnaja 2
- Gogol theater, Ul. Kazakova 8
- Gorki art theater, new house, Tverkoj Boulvar 22
- small theater, Pl. Sverdlova 1
- satire theater, Ul. Sadovaja Bolschaja

The best musicals are performed at the musical theater, Ul. Puschkinskaja. 6

For a list of events and places to go, you may also consult Afisha, Vash Dossoug or Moscow Out.

Lomonosov State University offers a variety of cultural events throughout the academic year in their own theater, concert hall and cinemas. These are announced regularly at the many Message boards on the campus.

In Moscow, the main means for transportation are metro trains, buses and taxis.

The metro is the fastest and most convenient way to get around. It operates from 5:30am to 1:00am, and metro stations are easily identified by the red (M) signs. Trains run at intervals of 2-4 minutes, and even 1-2 minutes during rush hours, and every 5 minutes later at night. Metro magnetic cards for multiple rides are available at all metro stations in the entrance hall. One card is good for an unlimited number of rides, unless you exit the metro station, and costs about 30 cents. Monthly and weekly passes are also available.

The bus transportation systems operates from around 05:00am to midnight. Tickets are available in strips or booklets from people outside all metro stations or from bus drivers directly. Don't forget to punch the bus tickets inside the bus. If the bus is crowded and you can't reach, pass your money (if you want to buy tickets) or ticket to someone else who will pass it to the driver or the punching machine.

There are three types of taxis:
1) Official taxis are usually yellow color and can be identified by a small green light on the windshield. They have checkered emblems on the doors, and may have yellow domed lights on the roof.
2) Private taxis, run by private companies operating limousine or taxi services (mostly ordered in advance)
3) Ordinary Russian drivers, who are ready to give you a ride for a fee when you stop them That's the preferred way for Russians and works very well if you know exactly where to go and if you speak Russian (as a rule here: travel by two and never get into cars already occupied by two people!)

To hail a taxi, simply hold out your arm. Tell or show the driver the address (written in Russian) where you are going and ask the price. It will often be higher than normal if you are not Russian. You can often bring the price down if you say that it is too much and begin to walk away. Official taxis can be ordered by phone (e.g., Moscow Taxi, Tel. 238 1001) and usually arrive after 5-10 minutes.

teachers

If you are following a one-to-one individual course, make sure you are feeling comfortable in your relationship with your personal teacher. Learning is much more effective (and also efficient for the teacher) when you feel like your teacher is listening to your questions and concerns. A teacher student- relationship however also implies certain rules to be followed by both parties. Make sure these rules are clear to you and to your teacher.

If for some reason you may want to change a teacher, let us know in order to find a solution.

Vodka is the national drink, which is always ordered in grams (50g or 100g) and usually served pure, non-chilled. You may also buy bottles of vodka in stores. Vodka that is sold on the street is usually of bad quality or simply diluted industrial alcohol. Some reliable brands are Crystal, Moskovskaya, Absolute (Swedish though), Stolitschnaja Export, and Kremlievskaja. On the campus, no alcoholic beverages must be sold, however, the fire department in the main building of MGU on the 5th floor (sign 'Gj;fhyybrb') also sells vodka to quench your thirst, if you knock on their door and inquire for spirit.

At dinners, vodka is usually served before dinner starts and usually drunk in rounds. Be prepared to give a toast on your host's hospitality, on your friendship relations, business success etc., if you are invited by friends at home or in a restaurant. At special occasions, Russian's would even drink pure alcohol ('spirt'), however, nobody will expect you to taste. Opened vodka bottles are usually finished since they cannot be closed anymore once the aluminum cap is removed.

Boiling tap water before drinking is strongly recommended. For fresh water, you should bring purification tablets with you (like the Micropure®-system) that are available in all stores/pharmacies. You may buy bottled drinking and sparkling water at any local supermarket in Moscow or at the MGU.