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MONEY AND BANKS |
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The official currency of Russia is the ruble, which is divided into
one hundred kopeks: there are 1, 5, 10 and 50 kopek coins, 1, 2 and 5
ruble coins, and notes to the value of 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000
rubles. Only notes and coins dated 1997 or after are valid.
Despite the end of soaring inflation, prices in this guide are given in
US dollars, a fairly stable measure of real costs - but in practice
they're charged and paid for in rubles. It is illegal to pay in foreign
currency. The black market offers nothing but risks: always change money
in an official bank or currency exchange. Most banks are open Mon-Sat
10am-6/8pm, or later.
ATMs are now found in plenty, and using your credit or debit card to
obtain cash from them is generally a safe way to get money in Russia.
Some, however, have a very low cash limit per transaction, which may
make your rubles expensive. You can also obtain cash from most banks
with a card (Visa, Mastercard and Cirrus are the most widely accepted;
problems may occasionally occur with Diners and Amex). Travellers'
cheques are time-consuming and expensive to use.
Be warned that Moscow is an expensive city, and the daily cost of life
there is up to three times that of St Petersburg. In the provinces, life
becomes ridiculously cheap
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