Money in Russia: Roubles, Cash, Foreign Cards and Payment Planning

Domestic card use in Russia does not mean that a visitor’s foreign card will work. Payment restrictions affect accommodation, everyday spending and transport. Serious travel advisories also apply: this guide explains practical constraints, not a recommendation to disregard your government’s advice.

Saint Petersburg, Russia · packing4two

Recognising roubles

The currency is the Russian rouble, RUB or ₽, divided into 100 kopecks. Notes include 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 roubles, alongside smaller denominations. Coins of 1, 2, 5 and 10 roubles are more useful in everyday spending than tiny kopeck amounts.

Different designs may circulate together. Read the denomination rather than relying on colour, and keep smaller notes for incidental purchases.

Foreign cards are not a dependable backup

Mastercard cards issued outside Russia do not work at Russian merchants or ATMs. Foreign Visa cards and other international services are also affected by suspensions and restrictions. Adding the same card to a phone wallet does not change its issuer.

Ask your provider about your exact card. A payment logo or an old visitor report is not confirmation that a transaction will work now.

Prepare a lawful cash and payment plan

Establish what funds you can legally carry and use, including declaration requirements and restrictions in transit countries. Rules can depend on nationality and route as well as destination.

Use an authorised exchange provider, compare net proceeds and keep receipts. Avoid informal money handlers and promises to bypass payment restrictions. Divide funds securely and retain a contingency reserve.

Mir and SBP are local payment systems

Mir is a domestic card system. SBP links participating bank accounts for transfers and purchases, including QR payments through a banking app or the SBPey app. Neither is simply a wallet into which any foreign card can be added.

If you do not already have an eligible payment method, agree another lawful method with the business. Do not hand identity documents to an unknown service just because a cashier displays a QR code.

Taxis through the Yandex Go app

The Yandex Go app shows a fare before booking and supports cash payment to the driver where offered. Select cash beforehand and carry suitable rouble notes.

Test account access and connectivity in advance. For a hotel-arranged transfer, confirm the price, meeting point and payment method in writing.

Moscow public transport

Load a Troika transport card with credit or a suitable pass, then validate it. Appropriate ticket offices and machines accept cash. A remote top-up may also need to be written to the physical card at a terminal.

Do not assume a foreign contactless bank card is an alternative. Check the balance and keep the card clear of other cards at the reader. Airport services and some railway journeys require separate fare planning.

Tips and restaurant bills

Tips are voluntary. Around 5–10% is a possible choice for good service, while rounding a taxi fare is optional. Check for an existing service charge first.

Small cash amounts are convenient when local digital tipping is inaccessible. For expensive food, establish whether the price is per portion or by weight.

VAT and the total price

The standard VAT rate increased to 22% in January 2026, with reduced rates and exemptions for particular supplies. Do not automatically add 22% to every displayed consumer price. Ask for the final payable amount.

For accommodation or rentals, distinguish tax from deposits, meals, transfers and optional extras. Establish the currency and payment location of any balance.

Accommodation tax

Tourist tax is local, not one universal surcharge. The general percentage ceiling is 2% in 2026, with a RUB 100 per-day minimum in the tax calculation, subject to applicable rules and exemptions. This is not automatically a per-person charge everywhere.

Ask the property for an all-in quotation applying to your booking. An old stay’s charges are not a reliable model for another city.

Tourist shopping refunds

Participating Tax Free retailers can process eligible purchases of at least RUB 10,000 including tax from the same retailer on one day. Eligibility, special paperwork, passport details and export inspection apply; goods generally must leave within three months.

Confirm both participation and a usable refund method before buying. Hotel stays and meals are not covered by this shopping scheme. Treat any refund as uncertain until completed, particularly when payment restrictions or fees apply.