April 6, 2007The Russian visa policy is a common complaint. While it is admittedly stupid, do try to put things in perspective. Consider that Russians are required a visa to enter most if not all western countries, and the process of getting one is more complex, time-consuming, and thus expensive than the other way around.
Local travel, however, is beyond cheap. Buses and trains are an average of 3-4 cents/km The cheapest train from Moscow to St. Petersburg is $20 or so. See TRANSPORTATION below.
Hint: ask where their office is located, or else registration will turn into a project for a good part of the day...
Beware of taxi scam and other ugly things that happen to the disoriented freshly arrived travellers. Try to arrange to be met by someone you know.
If somebody quotes you less than $40, expect to be charged extra for parking ($6-7) and waiting.
For details see www.moscowdrivers.net/sheremetyevo.htm
These are store/kiosk/cheap cafe prices. No major variations across regions. Expect to pay 3-5 times the price in cafes and restaurants.
A monument to Alcoholism on the Swamp Square in Moscow.
One of my client, a nice respectable young man after an
exercise in cultural immersion that included a week
of drinking and smoking filterless cigarettes.
A bottle of good vodka, eg. Green Mark, Smirnov (the one bottled in Chernogolovka, Parliament, almost anything distilled in Kashin, Tver region. DON'T BUY ANYTHING COSTING LESS THAN 120 ROUBLES unless you are into the "Russian drinking misery" experience.
A bottle of vodka that will make you feel like a typical never-do-well Russian without making you an "official" victim of methyl alcohol and fusel oil poisoning.
Moonshine, the beverage of choice of the rural poor
Rejoice: emergency medical treatment is universally available and free for all!
Detoxification service, minimal
The procedure may include a few complimentary punches by the police. If you don't get the ugly treatment you expect, tell them they are "kozly" (goats) and their recently acquired veneer of civilized and professional behaviour will likely fall down.
Detoxification, VIP
Domestic beer
Penalty for drinking beer on the street
Only in cities where this is not allowed and the no drinking rule is enforced. Not an issue in most places.
but chances are you will merely get a verbal reprimand
Fine for relieving your bladder on the street
but if you firmly insist that there are no washrooms in the area and what an act you can't avoid can't possibly be an offence, you will be let go with a reprimand.
Table wine, cheap yet drinkable
Honey beer
Greatly recommended. Brewed in Suzdal, occasionally shows up in Moscow, grab it if you see it.
Prices vary greatly. Figures given here are based on my shopping and I usually opt for convenience rather than "best deal"
A loaf of bread
Rutabaga
Sauerkraut
Cabbage, fresh
Potatoes
Around $1/kg for "new harvest"
Mineral water
Lots of substandard substitutes. Buy only in reputable stores! Ask locals!!
To-fu
See my Russian travel for vegetarians for sources of supply in Moscow & St. Petersburg.
Avoid "To-fu po-russki".
Broccoli
Eggplant
Vegetable oil
Kvas
If you see it, grab Pershin (made in Ryazan). Of commonly available Kvases Ochakovo and Nikola are OK. Avoid "kvas beverages" that are imitations. Imitation kvas will be cheap and have "kvasnoy napitok" (kvas-like beverage) on the label.
Tangerines, good quality
Bananas
Spaghetti, domestic
Beans
Yucky public washroom access in a small town
Yucky public washroom access in Moscow
A roll of toilet paper, plain, about 50m
Activated charcoal
Recommended against meteorism.
Room in Moscow, to rent, long term
Usually in the more distant/less convenient areas of the city.
Room in Moscow, to rent, short term
Usually in the center of the city.
Apartment in Moscow, short term rental
While on the subject, take a look at my apartment that is available for short term rent. The location is as good as they get, fully equipped (including computer with Internet access, printer, and scanner), air conditioned etc. etc. DETAILS
Apartment in Moscow, long term
These will usually be located in the outskirts of the city and can't be easily compared to the cost of short-term rental.
Bricks
Lumber
"Social hotel" in Moscow
The only requirement to get in is that you are sober and well-behaved. See the list of these hotels at my www.cheap-moscow.com
The most expensive hotel I know of (Balchug-Kempinsky)
Located 200 yards from my apartment that you can rent for $120 or around that.
Apartment to buy in Moscow, average
Budget room in a typical hotel anywhere other than Moscow & St. Petersburg.
Room for rent from a babushka in a nearly abandoned village.
A winter-grade insulated tent with a oil stove and folding furniture.
More info soon on my From Moscow to St. Petersburg via small towns and villages.
You can still camp just about anywhere on public or private land. No need for permit of any kind.
Accommodation in exchange for English tutoring or other work
...And the opportunities are many if you are willing to do your homework. Check out the Homestays section of my www.cheap-moscow.com
Theatre tickets
Museums, of touristy "must see" type
Museums, out of the way sort
Church access
The Moscow Times, the leading English language newspaper
Newspapers, local
Housekeeper, half-time. No English, personal hygiene needs improving, etc.
Housekeeper, full-time, takes her job as seriously (Russian standard of seriousness)
Driver, your car or his, with your paying for gas and current upkeep
Cooks, average qualifications, full-time
English teachers, native speakers, private, in Moscow
Russian tutor
Free "language exchange" opportunities are many.
Street sweepers, full time, in Moscow
Tutoring, private, in Moscow
$3-5/hour in a small town
University tuition
Bike, standard, functional quality
Scooter, 49cc.
No license, no documents required.
I'm thinking of getting one in the spring for the guests who rent an apartment from me in Moscow. The only condition is that you pay your bills in advance and leave clear instructions on what to do when things go wrong.
Horse, average working animal type
Usually sold by live weight, $2-something per kilo ($1/lb).
Hay
Feed oats (unprocessed)
Saddle & associated tack, Russian-made
Car that will make it from the place of purchase to the nearest garage
Car that you could be useful if not for the Moscow traffic
Gas
Traffic fines for minor offences (not fastening seat belts, speeding as long as it is not too serious, forgetting at home your insurance policy etc.)
Catamaran
Subway or tram ride
Folding push scooter
Taxi
Overnight train ride, eg. to St. Petersburg
$200 for the most expensive ticket
Small airplane, 250kg capacity
No more than $500-700 to get the license. Details coming up.
Glider with motor
Dental, one filling
I do my dental work in Staritsa. Dr. Lugin's office is on the humble side or even scary for the inexperienced, but the quality of dental work is as good as elsewhere and prices are beyond low. See my Starista page for details.
$50 (Moscow)
>$100 (in a clinic that caters to westerners)
Emergency medical care, eg. broken arm, stretched tendon, poisonings, bullet wounds....
Local drugs
Sex services
All-around check for all STD known to humanity
Cure for one typical STD, consultation & medicines
The full list of STD statistics for each region, and the cost of treatment is coming up.
Non-premeditated murder committed in an affected state, first offence by an otherwise "respectable" person.
Heroin, one good doze
A ticket to somewhere to the middle of Siberia, plus local transportation to get to a 3 persons per square mile type of place.
Shotgun, classic double barrel
The license to acquire one
Shotgun cartridge, 12 gage
Funeral, economy class
Hint: You can save a bundle by getting yourself buried in a country cemetery where often no permit/no plot fee will be required. Speaking of the Russian countryside, consider a visit to the Village of Dubrovki, where the author of this site sits in self-imposed exile.
Burial service in an Orthodox church
Having your name mentioned in a prayer for the repose of the dead