russia travel questions

Travel to Russia
1

Hello.
I’m wondering about a couple things for when I’m inside Russia and access to money for hotel or flights.

Obviously I’ll bring USD in good condition and am planning to apply for a Tinkoff debit card.

I see on the Russiable page it says you can reload the Tinkoff card through a ATM. Are these ATMs all over the country? How safe should I feel putting thousands of $$ on a card right away?

And also, if anyone knows, when inside Russia, I’m assuming I wont have any access to my home country banks either online or via the apps? Most likely they would be blocked from all Russian IPs?

Thank you.

2

In my studies, I would steer away from T Bank [Tinkoff] especially when dealing with large amounts of transfers. Russia increased the laws concerning “money fraud” and requiring additional information for proof of where the funds came from. Other than nearly mint condition whether or not the atm or bank teller will accept them

It’s not the ips that are an issue [ways around that to go to the websites] but swift transfer is blocked… so transferring money is a nono… let alone… technically you would be breaking laws for it. [No matter how you transfer it] There are ways to have an intermediary to transfer the money legally [on the Russian side of the equation - still technically illegal on the other side]

3

T bank is known to hold the deposit until proof of funds is satisfied [which could take a couple of weeks]

4

Thanks. I wont be transfering anything, only depositing cash while in Russia. My concern about accessing my banks would be to keep up with my bills for those couple months. So I’ll likely just plan ahead.

5

@KO11 I see on the Russiable page it says you can reload the Tinkoff card through a ATM. Are these ATMs all over the country? How safe should I feel putting thousands of $$ on a card right away?

You don’t deposit foreign currencies in TInkoff cashiers, only rubles. Tinkoff have ATM in most shopping centers and many supermarkets. Yes safe but you can deposit from a brick and mortar bank too. Or buy cryptocurrency and use an exchange that will credit to your Tinkoff. This way no need to manipulate cash.

when inside Russia, I’m assuming I wont have any access to my home country banks either online or via the apps? Most likely they would be blocked from all Russian IPs?

depends your bank. Me, Norway, and recently my banks authentication portal didn’t trigger on russian IP, so i use a VPN.

6

Okay, thanks.