Europe
Money, cards and tipping in Russia
RUBRuble
Money in Russia
Cash only Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards don't work anywhere. Bring US dollars or euros and exchange them at banks; paying in foreign currency is illegal. US$1 ≈ ₽83.50 (03 Oct 2026).
Key facts
- Tipping: About 10% in sit-down restaurants, in cash for visitors. Round up taxis; not expected at counters.
- ATMs: ATMs reject foreign Visa and Mastercard, so you can't withdraw money. Plan your cash before arriving.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay don't work. Locals use Mir Pay and SBP QR, which need a Russian bank account.
- Price level: about 32% of US prices (World Bank PPP).
Cash or card, by place
| Place | Cards | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Moscow | Cash only | Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards don't work. Bring dollars or euros and exchange at banks; locals pay by card or QR, which visitors can't use. |
| Saint Petersburg | Cash only | Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards don't work. Bring dollars or euros and exchange at banks; locals pay by card or QR, which visitors can't use. |
| Kazan | Cash only | Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards don't work. Bring dollars or euros and exchange at banks; locals pay by card or QR, which visitors can't use. |
| Sochi | Cash only | Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards don't work. Bring dollars or euros and exchange at banks; locals pay by card or QR, which visitors can't use. |
| Kaliningrad | Cash only | Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards don't work. Bring dollars or euros and exchange at banks; locals pay by card or QR, which visitors can't use. |
| Irkutsk | Cash only | Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards don't work. Bring dollars or euros and exchange at banks; locals pay by card or QR, which visitors can't use. |
| Yekaterinburg | Cash only | Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards don't work. Bring dollars or euros and exchange at banks; locals pay by card or QR, which visitors can't use. |
| Vladivostok | Cash only | Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards don't work. Bring dollars or euros and exchange at banks; locals pay by card or QR, which visitors can't use. |
| Murmansk | Cash only | Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards don't work. Bring dollars or euros and exchange at banks; locals pay by card or QR, which visitors can't use. |
| Novosibirsk | Cash only | Foreign Visa and Mastercard don't work in shops or ATMs; bring dollars or euros and exchange at banks. Russian bank QR payments are for locals. |
| Nizhny Novgorod | Cash only | Foreign Visa and Mastercard don't work in shops or ATMs; bring dollars or euros and exchange at banks. Pay in rubles. |
| Olkhon Island | Cash only | Foreign cards don't work in Russia; bring dollars or euros to exchange in Irkutsk, and carry plenty of rubles in cash for Khuzhir. |
| Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky | Cash only | Foreign Visa and Mastercard don't work; bring dollars or euros. Exchange offices are limited, so convert in Moscow or Vladivostok. |
Quick answers
Do you tip in Russia?
About 10% in sit-down restaurants, in cash for visitors. Round up taxis; not expected at counters.
Is Russia cashless?
Cash only. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards don't work anywhere. Bring US dollars or euros and exchange them at banks; paying in foreign currency is illegal.
What currency does Russia use?
The Ruble (RUB). US$1 ≈ ₽83.50 (03 Oct 2026).
Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: Russia
- Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs e-Visa portal
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.