After learning today the logistics of getting a SIM card and a Russian number, in order to create a TInkoff bank account, I’m considering going cash only for 2 months.
Not having data would be inconvientent but not critical. And all my hotels and flights are paid for.
Can anyone offer insight if I might have issues with this?
I know of someone who went through Alfa with an ATT international phone line with no issues getting it set up. They were in Moscow - not sure if it’s an isolated event or if all Alfa banks allow it
@NorseVictory Thanks. I might start asking other banks here as well. But for now, cash only seems fine.
I have gone Cash Only for a 4 week trip in Russia. I used cash to pay for trains, planes and hotels.
The only problem is having small bills on you to pay for a bus ride. If a bus doesnt have a conductor just pay the driver.
A very small number of museums will only take credit card.
Pulkovo Airport in Saint Petersburg just announced that foreigners can now get a bank card there on arrival at the T-Bank or Globus kiosk. No Russian SIM required.
@gavinmac Interesting. I’ll look into that. Will be there next week.
@Bill I’m a few weeks into a 2 month trip and no issues with cash only. And no need for a SIM card either.
@KO11 the having data part is easy enough from the SIM card hawkers at the airport. Might not be accepted by a bank, or entirely secure
the big headache for me is trying to keep dollars in mint condition. The exchanges can be picky, especially the ones with good rates. There doesn’t seem to be a commercially-made, dollar-sized hard case that can do it. There are flimsy plastic sleeves and storage cases from the numismatic industry, but not really good enough. I ended up using cases cell phone screen protectors were shipped in
@kozmikpetukh search Amazon for “dollar bill metal container”
@kozmikpetukh I carried $10,000 in 100s. Only used half that in 2 months. Some banks were more picky than others but most important is just look them over for ink marks and tears. Maybe 3 bills were rejected due to ink I didnt see.
I carried everything in paper money envelopes, and then in a cardboard mailer, in my laptop case, kept them flat, No issues.