Hi,
I’ll be arriving in St Petersburg at the central bus terminal with euros (in cash), at around 9pm local time. However, I need to make my way from there to Petrogradskaya.
My problem is that upon arrival I will have no rubles and I’m wondering if anybody could advise on what would be the best course of action. I’m assuming there are no transport options that would accept euros as currency.
Thanks.
Hello we just came back from Russia and had the same problem upon arrival. Fortunately one of the other passengers happened to be from our home country so we asked if by any chance we could give him euros for rubles with the same exchange rate as a bank. He practically saved us from a lot of trouble. Maybe some other passenger who visits Russia and Europe might do the same for you, I think it is worth asking. Another idea might be to ask the bus driver if you could stop earlier in your journey at some currency exchange station before 9 pm. Keep in mind that the exchange rate is worse at the airport and during the weekend. Also if you enter via Estonia for example (that’s what we did) you can change a small amount at the shopping mall near the airport at a worse rate.
@mariann97 Maybe some other passenger who visits Russia and Europe might do the same for you, I think it is worth asking.
most passengers on the busses are russians who have a Schengen citizenship. Typically russians are quite helpful. In fact one could ask at Tallinn coach station in the hour preceding departures.
That said card and mobile payment being widespread, people don’t need to carry cash.
@mariann97 via Estonia for example (that’s what we did) you can change a small amount at the shopping mall near the airport
inside the hall of the Prisma that is nearby coach station, on the other side of the road to airport.
When walking out of the coach station, walk to the left, up on the small street to the renovated blocks with offices and couple shops, and you see the Prisma. The exchange counter just on the left. I was there 10 days ago. The Tavid sign:
@Matthew what would be the best course of action
the simpliest and safest option is to buy rubles at the Tavid near coach station in Tallin.
Or take an earlier bus so to arrive at coach station in SPb early enough.
The coach station is by Obvodny canal, when you exit it, walk to your left and at the next crossroad near the bridge, over the crossing road, Ligovski prospekt, there’s the metro of same name (Obvodny canal).
There are couple banks nearby, or you cross by the bridge and ahead on Ligovsky (toward downtown) there are one or two banks.
or like @mariann97 mentioned ask people on the bus, or before departure.
Antoniob,
I myself have been to that Tavid in Estonia. They do not have rubles. They will not exchange rubles, due to the sanctions - unless something has changed (please let me know if you were able to get rubles there recently).
As far as Euros - a person is only allowed to carry about 100 Euros into Russia. But US dollars can carry in up to $3000 without declaring it. Actually, the total sum of all money (all different countries) cannot be more than $3000 or you have to declare it.
I think the best way if someone doesn’t have a Russian friend that they can exchange beforehand - then carry in USD and once you get inside Russia go to a Russian bank and exchange for rubles.
It is also possible that people in Russia can SEND YOU MAIL, even if we can’t send to Russia. Theoretically, someone could mail you rubles in a card or letter, beforehand. It may take a month or more to arrive. I don’t recommend this method though.
@Cal that Tavid in Estonia. They do not have rubles. They will not exchange rubles, due to the sanctions - unless something has changed (please let me know if you were able to get rubles there recently).
no I didn’t buy roubles at Tavid since more than a year ago. Sorry then, this has then changed…
@Cal As far as Euros - a person is only allowed to carry about 100 Euros into Russia. But US dollars can carry in up to $3000 without declaring it. Actually, the total sum of all money (all different countries) cannot be more than $3000 or you have to declare it.
Russian customs sites has a page in english. These days their site, like many others, may ban foreigns IP (after a wave of massive DNS attacks since 2022). If you can use a Russia located VPN, or if you are in Russia, this is the page about currency:
https://eng.customs.gov.ru/activities/individuals
Export currency over 10 thousand US dollars is temporarily prohibited from March 2, 2022 Relevant presidential decree of the Russian Federation was published on March 1, 2022. According to the document, export from the Russian Federation cash and monetary instruments in foreign currency in amount exceeding the equivalent of 10 thousand US dollars is prohibited. It is calculated at the official exchange rate of the Central Bank of the Russia established on the date of export.
screenshot:
last time I had euros was december 2023, 1000€ or 1200€. It is just few banknotes inside a pocket.
What is your source for a 100€ or 3000$ limit?
The 100 Euros isn’t a Russia thing, it’s an EU thing. The European Union does not want to allow the money to go into Russia. But there is no prohibition on US dollars. They can only impose this on Euros. I found this on the Baltic Shuttle website, frequently asked questions:
“The import of euro banknotes into the Russian Federation is prohibited, except for cases of personal use by individuals. The Estonian Customs Department clarifies personal use is the amount required to pay for accommodation, food, transportation or shopping on the way to the destination is allowed.
There is a currency exchange office near the Estonian border, but you cannot use it when traveling by bus. Cases of checking cash amounts of imported currency when leaving Estonia are rare.
In addition to the euro, the ban applies to the import of cash banknotes of all currencies of EU member states and does not apply to other currencies, such as US dollars.”
Nobody really knows what “personal use” is but some of the bus companies recommend no more than 100 Euro.
@Cal The 100 Euros isn’t a Russia thing, it’s an EU thing. …
“The import of euro banknotes into the Russian Federation is prohibited, except for cases of personal use by individuals. The Estonian Customs Department clarifies personal use is the amount required to pay for accommodation, food, transportation or shopping on the way to the destination is allowed.”
…/…
Nobody really knows what “personal use” is but some of the bus companies recommend no more than 100 Euro.
oh yes that chunk of EU regulation I read it sometime last year. I am a EU citizen. The insane regulations of EU are a subject of jokes since ever, and the anti-russian ones are a huge lunacy.
Of course feelings play no matter in case of customs inspections. In practice I can have 10 notes of 200€ inside the wallet on me or in pockets They have to inspect the wallet and body search. Why not, but I doubt they want to. It’s not like you carry a big bulk of banknotes.
Of course to be 100% sure then carry US$. (until a newer EU rule says it is forbidden too… )
the customs regulations when entering EU from Russia are also something. If they were to be implemented
My next trip is in June. I will test it with wearing a T-shirt at the Estonian border, with a Lenin head printed on the chest. Maybe they will seize it or fine me.
