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  • πŸ‡·πŸ‡Ί Russia: bunq Community Travel Tips

✈️ Heading to Russia? We've gathered some tips from the bunq community to make sure your trip is the smoothest it can be. 😎

Check them out below! 🌈 πŸ‘‡


Using your card

πŸ’³ Do I need cash in Russia, or can I use my card everywhere?

Cards are accepted in many places, but some museums and trains only take cash, so you want to carry some with you.

πŸ’° What currency do they use here?

The currency here is Russian Ruble. The symbol is β‚½, Ρ€ΡƒΠ± or RUB.

🏧 Which ATM’s can I use for free?

The bunq community has reported free withdrawals at these ATMs.

  • Erste Bank
  • BIN Bank
  • Tinkoff Bank
  • VTB Bank

πŸ’΅ If I want cash, how much should I take out of an ATM?

3700 RUB should be enough for a few days.

πŸ’³ Should I choose local currency or Euros when paying?

If you're asked to choose between local currency and Euros, always choose local currency.

That way bunq does the conversion for you, and you get to take advantage of the best rates with bunq ZeroFX.


Staying connected

πŸ“± Can I roam, or should I get a local SIM?

Most EU mobile plans will charge you for roaming in Russia.

Wifi is readily available in Russia, especially in coffee shops.

If you want to get a local SIM card, you can learn about your options here.


Useful things to know

πŸ’β€β™€οΈ How does tipping work?

Tip in cash, and give it to the waiter.

Normally, a 10% to 15% is expected.

🍺 How much does a 0.5L beer cost?

€1,40

🍽 How much does an average meal cost?

€7,00

🚨 What’s the emergency number?

112

πŸ”Œ What type of plug do they use?

This one! It’s the standard European plug.

πŸš— What side of the road do they drive on?

They drive on the right side of the road here.

πŸ—Ί How do I navigate my way around?

Google and Apple Maps both work well in Russia.

Otherwise, we recommend Rome2Rio as the best way to find out how to get anywhere. It even tells you the cost of each option. πŸ™Œ

πŸ‘€ Any other good tips?

If you are travelling by car, do not forget to buy petrol cans!
The further east you go, the more expensive the fuel will get.


Travel Perks

🎒 Visit famous attractions with 10% off

We've partnered with Tiqets to bring you discounts on attraction tickets in Russia πŸ‡·πŸ‡Ί. To get your discount, simply follow the link here and use our coupon code BUNQTIQETS10 at checkout. That's it! 🎊

Travel hands-free with a 20% discount on Stasher

Our partnership with Stasher will allow you to enjoy your destination to the fullest without having to worry about your luggage. You’ll be able to drop off your bags at trusted shops and hotels in Russia with a 20% discount through this link πŸ‘ŒπŸ».

If you've been to Russia πŸ‡·πŸ‡Ί share your experience! The following would be really useful for other bunqers to know:

  • Which ATMs are free to use?
  • What card should I use and where?
  • Any other info you think may be useful.

Share your experience with us in the comments below! 🌈 πŸ‘‡

    2 months later

    Use your Bunq card on the St Petersburg metro, check in with bunq card, works perfect!

      a year later

      Moscow Russia. You can pay by your card almost everywhere. Use the bunq card by tapping it in metro, bus or tram instead of travel card.
      Only small amounts of 1000 RUB or less (approx. €11) are contactless and without PIN. Otherwise, PIN is required for any amount which exceeds 1000 RUB.
      In Russia you will never be asked to pay by card in any other currency but in local currency which is RUB, except some duty free shops in DME airport where you pay in USD (but not SVO, VKO, ZIA, where payments are made in RUB, independently on what currency prices are in).
      From 01.01.2021 tips cannot be added to a restaurant bill if you pay it by card (forbidden by the law).

        3 months later

        Unlike all other countries in the world, Russia is very specific about their currency regulation, so no dynamic currency conversion (DCC) may be offered to the cardholders under the Law whilst in Russia, except duty free shops in their airports only.
        So, if asked what currency you would like to pay by card in a duty free shop at an airport in Russia always choose the currency in which there are prices in the shop or leave it, otherwise you will be overcharged.

          a month later

          In Moscow Bunq Card πŸ’³ worked perfectly in all ATM you can withdrawal cash with out any fee. All placed card πŸ’³ are acceptable for purchases started with 1 Rub:)

            Only in some places when paying with card you can check in post,becauce but it depends of posterminal give two options pay in local currency or convert in EUR + added 2.5β„… exchange rate fee mark up. So be carefully and always check and accept transactionsin local currency.

              @bunq#119200 1.Sberbank
              2.Raiffaizen bank
              3.Alfa Bank
              4.Tinkoff
              5.UniCreditBank

                a year later

                Definitely this guide is obsolete after February 24, 2022. Bunq won’t work in Russia same as almost every Mastercard or Visa

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