Welcome to Russia

Everything you need to know about rules, tickets and stadiums (Specially 2018' World Cup Venue)

Traveling in Russia

A Guide to Moscow’s Summer Festivals

Believe it or not, in summer Moscow usually gets rather hot. It’s also the season when the city is fully awake, with more events happening than at any other time of the year. Almost every weekend a new market, exhibition or festival takes place, making it pretty hard to choose which one to attend.

Of course, the highlight of this summer in the Russian capital will be the celebration of football, as Moscow gets ready to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup (from 14 June to 15 July) along with 10 other cities across the country. Nevertheless, over the years some big annual events have become an integral – and fun – part of Moscow’s summer culture. Here are our top picks.

Accommodations in Russia

One of the most important parts of any trip, and one that often makes up half the cost of the trip, is the choice of accommodation. Good accommodations can make your trip memorable, while bad accommodations can ruin it entirely.

In Russia you can find both excellent accommodations and horrible ones (I think more often than in Australia) as well. Fortunately, major online booking platforms include many reviews that allow travelers to easily avoid choosing bad accommodations.

In this post I try to analyze the main types of accommodations that exist in Russia and that I think are the most interesting when you are sightseeing on your own.

I also try to explain the criteria that I usually follow when choosing and booking lodging on the trips that I myself have had to organize for family and friends visiting Moscow and St. Petersburg. The best option for making your reservation is usually a Russian platform similar to Booking.com.

1. Main Types of Accommodations in Russia

There are different levels of accommodations when staying in large Russian cities, each with its own characteristics and prices.

The three main types of options, depending on your budget and the amenities you desire, are: hotels, tourist apartments and hostels.

1.1. Hotels

In Russia you can find both internationally renowned hotel chains, such as high- quality international chains as well as excellent local hotels that do not belong to any chain.

In recent years, major 3-5 star international hotel chains have proliferated. They are often located in downtown areas and mainly distributed in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Sochi.

By the end of 2014, international hotel chains boasted a total of 137 hotels in Russia with over 31,000 hotel rooms (see Ernst & Young report). More than half of these hotels belong to three major international hotel groups:

Accor Hotels. French hotel chain that has spread quickly throughout Russia in recent years. Already has 23 hotels and plans to have more than 80 in 2020. This group operates under the commercial brands Mercure, Ibis and Novotel. Personally, it is one of my favorite options since it has options for all price points and in great locations.
The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. American hotel group that, by the end of 2014, had 30 hotels in major Russian cities under brands such as Radisson and Park Inn. Another excellent choice for hotels.
InterContinental Hotels Group. A British chain with 15 hotels under the brands InterContinental, Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza.

Other chains in Russia include Marriott, Hilton, Best Western, Hyatt, Swissotel, and Lotte, a Korean hotel group whose only 5-star hotel in Moscow is the highest rated of all Russia by TripAdvisor users.

Besides the large international chains, there are also some major Russian hotel chains that also operate in other countries, such as Azimut Hotels Group or Intourist hotel, owner of the legendary macrohotel Cosmos, located northeast of the Russian capital and built to meet the demands of the Olympics Games in Moscow in 1980.

Alongside these large hotel chains, there are a number of local 3-5 star hotels that do not belong to any hotel chain, or so-called mini hotels.

1.2. Tourist Apartments

As in major Australian cities, tourist apartments have proliferated in recent years in Russia. This is a good way to travel if you go with family or a group of friends or if you’re going to Russia for a more extended stay.

They are located near the city center and are usually very well equipped. In many cases these are apartments that have been renovated in old, Soviet-era buildings and are managed as tourist accommodations.

While the interior of the apartments is usually pretty good (some are pretty luxurious), the buildings exteriors are often very neglected and damaged. Therefore, you often will not find published photos of the facade or interior courtyards of these buildings when researching this option online.

There are several local rental platforms, such as LikeHome tourist apartments, although there is also the option of staying in apartments through the Airbnb American platform.

1.3. Hostels

For younger people, such as students, or for people traveling alone, hostels are a good option. Hostels usually offer bunk beds and shared bathrooms.

This is a form of cheaper housing, designed as a place to meet people from around the world.

They are usually very well located and some of them are very highly rated by their guests. You can usually stay in these types of accommodations for very affordable prices (less than 15 Australian dollars per person per night).

2. Factors to Consider when Choosing your Accommodations in Russia

Personally, I look at four main points when booking accommodations: that they are well located and have easy access to public transportation; price; that they allow for free cancellation up until the day before the trip; and that they have good reviews from other visitors.

2.1. Location and Easy Access to Public Transportation

If you’re a tourist in Moscow, I advise that you stay in a central area that is located within the first ring of Moscow and is located near a subway station.

The ideal is to be able to walk to the Red Square in about 30 minutes or, at least, to have a metro nearby. One area that I particularly like, although it is more expensive, is Arbat, whose heart is Arbat Street, which is surrounded by historical buildings and is itself another major tourist attraction. This area also includes the Tverskoy neighborhood near the Red Square and is characterized both by old architecture and new business areas.

In St. Petersburg it is also advisable to stay in a central area that is located close to the Hermitage Museum or Nevsky Avenue, from which to access most tourist attractions on foot. These include the Peterhof Palace, which you can access by boat from the pier opposite the Hermitage (although you can reach it by bus much more economically).

2.2. Price

Everyone’s budget is different. Obviously it will be more expensive to stay closer to the city center and during the summer time.

Prices vary widely and can range from 15 Australian dollars for a night in a hostel, to 450 or 600 Australian dollars for a double room in a five star hotel downtown such as the Lotte Hotel Moscow. Although it should be noted that the 5-star hotels in Russia often do not have the same level of quality that you can find in Australia or New Zealand, you can find well located 5 star hotels at fairly reasonable prices (less than 150 Australian dollars for a double room).

The average price of 3 and 4 star hotels would be between 90 and 270 Australian dollars, depending on the location and amenities offered.

Regardless, it is always good to compare prices at several hotel booking platforms and reserve the hotels via one of these pages. Below I explain how you can find very good deals on Russian web platforms (like Booking.com).

2.3. Free Cancellation

I always try to book accommodations that allow free cancellation until shortly before arrival. You never know what can happen when you are planning a trip well in advance. Also, if later on you find a hotel that you like more, you can always cancel your hotel and book a new one.

You should bear in mind that even though you have to list the hotels where you will be staying in advance, as part of the visa application process (they should be listed in your letter of invitation or visa support), nothing happens if you decide to cancel your hotel reservation and book another. There may be many reasons to do this and you do not have any reason to be tied to a hotel.

However, do keep in mind that the reservations that allow you to cancel can be more expensive than firm, prepaid reservations.

2.4. Opinions of Other Visitors

Before exploring a hotel option in more detail, I always read the opinions of other guests. Their reviews can give you clues as to whether the customer service is good, if the hotel is clean, if the food is good, if the wifi reaches the rooms, or if the hotel is quiet or noisy.

In this regard, booking websites with the highest number of guest reviews are the best and this is why, to me, Booking.com is a great website to use.

3. Websites for Booking Acommodation in Russia

There are many websites for booking accommodations in Russia, among which I would like to highlight the following:

Classic reservation platforms such as Booking.com, Hotels.com, etc. allow you to book all types of accommodation: hotels, hostels, apartments, etc.
Platforms for making reservations with international hotel chains: Accorhotels, Radisson, Intercontinental, etc, where you can book rooms from the aforementioned chains.
Websites of local hotels (eg Hotel Metropol)
Websites and booking for tourist apartments such as LikeHome or community markets for reserving apartments such as Airbnb.
Russian hotel reservation platforms. The most used by the Russians to travel within the country are Ostrovok (in Russian and English) and Oktogo (only in Russian). Ostrovok usually has very good deals and I recommend that you at least consult this site before choosing accommodations anywhere (it includes options for accommodations in Australia or any other country).

It is always good to consult more than one platform and compare prices. I recommend using two: Booking.com and Ostrovok. The first will allow you to read reviews from other Italians and tourists and Ostrovok should be used for the actual online booking since prices on this platform are often much cheaper than you will find on Booking.com.

4. Conclusions

There are many different types of accommodations where you can stay during your visit to Russia: hotels, whether international or local chains; tourist hostels; or apartments. The choice of one or the other may depend on many factors: budget, number of people, age, personal preferences, etc.

A great option is to stay at hotels in any of the international hotel chains in Russia. Some of these chains, such as Accorhotels, have several options (Mercure, Novotel and Ibis) in various price ranges depending on the level of amenities offered. The same is true of the Radisson Hotels.

There are also many good 3-5 star Russian hotels in the city centers. Before making your choice, it is always good to read the opinions of other visitors.

For larger families or for extended stays, apartments can be a good option, while hostels are a good choice for young people, students or solo travelers looking for something cheap but well situated in the center.

In any event when booking a hotel, it is always important to read the opinions of other visitors and compare prices between different platforms such as Booking.com or Ostrovok so that you can find better deals.

Host Cities Russia

2018 Russia World Cup Cities:

The 2018 World Cup will certainly be the very first of its kind. The most watched sporting event in the world has never taken place over such a vast land mass before – and that’s with the host cities only being located in the western half of Russia!

Spanning an area about the size of all of western Europe, the 11 Russian World Cup host cities each offer a distinct perspective into the country. What’s more, the Russian government is granting free train tickets between host cities for match ticket holders! Browse the map below to get a feel for the scope of the 2018 World Cup, and read on to learn about the unique features of each host city.

Russia World Cup Host Cities

Moscow
Saint Petersburg
Sochi
Ekaterinburg
Saransk
Rostov-on-Don
Kazan
Kaliningrad
Samara
Volgograd
Nizhny Novgorod
Stadium Guide
Safe Travel Guide

THE VENUES

Moscow:

The Kremlin wall along the Moskva river banks. Russia’s federal capital and the largest city in Europe, the legendary city of Moscow should be a top destination for every travel bucket list. This sprawling metropolis is home to 16.8 million people as well as some of Europe’s richest cultural sites. With orthodox cathedrals dating back to the 16th century, modern sky scrapers, and many of the Soviet Union’s most impressive architectural feats, the Moscow skyline is a whirlwind through history.

A unique blend of Asian and European, Moscow truly has something for everyone. Vibrant bar, restaurant, and club scenes; underground artists, poets, and musicians; world renowned theaters, ballets, and operas; haute couture shopping malls and bustling flea markets; sprawling parks and gardens as well as impressive athletic arenas; banking, oil, politics, and a rich history of revolution. Moscow is sure to be an exciting locale for the main events of the tournament.

Traveling to and around Moscow is relatively easy. With two international airports and an incredibly reliable (and famously beautiful) underground metro, Moscow is excellent for travelers.

Saint Petersburg:

Known to many as the “Window to the West,” Saint Petersburg is one of Russia’s most beautiful cities. Home to and inspiration for countless poets, writers, and artists, Peter (as the locals call it) possesses some of Russia’s greatest historical treasures, including the Hermitage palace and museum, and several of Eastern Orthodoxy’s most famous cathedrals. Threaded with canals traversed by quaint bridges and lined with baroque buildings, Russia’s second largest city is also its most cosmopolitan and European. It is no wonder that Russian royalty chose Peter as the site for their palaces. This is a city as haunting and beautiful as the Russian soul.

Sochi:

You probably remember Sochi from the 2014 Winter Olympics. Situated on the Black Sea, Sochi is Russia’s premier resort city. While the majority of the population is comprised of ethnic Russians, Sochi is home to a sizable Armenian minority. Having hosted so many sporting events as well as serving as Russia’s favorite vacation destination, Sochi boasts many attractions for tourists. Visitors will find plentiful nightlife, museums, restaurants, and wildlife expeditions. The Sochi area is filled with waterfalls and offers excellent hiking.

Ekaterinburg:

The eastern most city in which World Cup matches will be held, Ekaterinburg sits in the Ural Mountains on the border of Europe and Asia. Ekaterinburg has a rich and complicated history. The fourth largest city in Russia, it was founded in 1723 by Peter the Great in honor of his wife, and used as the place of exile for Tsar Nicholas and his family during the Bolshevik revolution. During the Soviet Union, Ekaterinburg was renamed Sverdlovsk and served as an industrial and transportation hub.

In contemporary times, Ekaterinburg is a regional favorite among Russians and visitors alike. Home to 16 universities, Ekaterinburg boasts thriving art, music, theater, and comedy scenes. The Ekaterinburg underground Metro is among the easiest and fastest in the world, if only for its size. Consisting of just one line with 9 stops, passengers can travel from one end of the city to the other in 20 minutes.

Saransk:

The capital city of the Mordovic Republic of Russia, Saransk is a small city of about 300,000 people located in the Volga basin. Saransk is uniquely Russian in that it possesses a distinctive architectural mix of classic and soviet styles. Lenin iconography, orthodox churches, soviet bloc apartments, and ornate mosques all exist side-by-side. Saransk is also famous among Russians for race walking, or speedwalking. The country’s Olympic training center for the sport is located in Saransk and has produced some of Russia’s top performing athletes in race walking.

Rostov-on-Don:

Rostov-on-Don sits near the Sea of Azov on the Don River delta. An important port city for Russia, Rostov-on-Don’s economic prominence over the past few centuries has led it to become a bustling, modern technology hub. The city is home to many of Russia’s top universities and is a popular city for startups.

Kazan:

Kazan is known among nationals as one of Russia’s most beautiful cities, and it is a perfect example of the country’s cultural and religious diversity. Both Tartar and Russian are spoken widely here, and the city is home to gorgeous mosques and cathedrals. The capital of the republic of Tartarstan, Kazan is a regional sports and tourism capital as well. Kazan has hosted numerous international tournaments, including fencing, hockey, and aquatics.

Kaliningrad:

A Russian exclave situated between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea, Kaliningrad came to be part of the Russia after the German defeat in World War II. Though today the Kaliningrad Oblast is inhabited mostly by Russians, the geographic situation of this area makes for a long history of cultural crossroads. While virtually no ethnic Germans remain in the area, much of the old German architecture has been preserved or restored and exists alongside Soviet-era and modern buildings. Kaliningrad is home to excellent fishing as well as 90% of the earth’s natural amber deposits. The city creates fine jewelry from this precious stone, and boasts a museum dedicated to amber as well.

Samara:

Originally founded as a fortress on the Volga, Samara is the space and aviation capital of Russia. Having contributed hugely to the Soviet efforts in the Space Race, the Kuibyshev Aviation Institute located in Samara was closed to foreigners until the collapse of the Soviet Union. Now that it is open to the public, it gives tourists a unique opportunity to learn about some of the biggest advancements ever made in aerospace technology. Besides the Aviation Institute, Samara offers beautiful beaches along the Volga and plenty of charming old-timey buildings contrasted with Soviet monuments and architecture.

Volgograd:

Known as first as Tsaritsyn and then as Stalingrad, Volgograd has long been coveted by ruling powers for its geographic importance for trade. Situated on the bank of the Volga river and one of the most important industrial hubs in Russia, today the city is home to over a million people. Volgograd is famous for the Battle of Stalingrad during World War II, which is considered the longest and bloodiest battle in the history of human warfare. History buffs are sure to find plenty of interesting monuments and relics.

Nizhny Novgorod:

Russia’s fifth largest city, Nizhny Novgorod’s name translates to Lower Newtown. The locals refer to their hometown as Nizhny, which distinguishes it from another Russian city, simply called Novgorod. Nizhny is Russia’s IT capital, with many software and engineering firms holding residence within the city. The city skyline is dominated by a famous Kremlin wall, but Nizhny also features some of Russia’s most famous monasteries and cathedrals. Currently underway is a brand new soccer stadium for the World Cup.