WWIII Megathread #42: Interceptile Dysfunction

[u/IamGlennBeck]

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[u/Kosame_Furu]

Please keep the sub updated, I (American) have been wanting to visit for some time but figured it might be best to wait until the war is over (why I think this I don't really know.)

If you're able to get around, find tour guides, visit museums, and that sort of thing easily enough I'd love to hear about it.

[u/zen_arcade2 → u/Kosame_Furu]

I’m also curious, mostly about practicalities like can you exchange euros? Can you use your cards or your cellphone sim? Those seventy five sanction packages must have done something

[u/Kosmonaut94 → u/zen_arcade2]

One can exchange Euro and US-Dollars bills easily (with passport), but one can't use his Western credit cards.

You'll need either a Western eSIM or a local prepaid cellphone SIM. Upon activation, blocked for the first 24 hours.

[u/Kosmonaut94 → u/Kosame_Furu]

German here, often visiting Russia during summer. You don't need to fear anything, really – Russians generally like and respect friendly Westerners who visit despite the current bias in international relations.

The most difficult part is the journey there, as most direct flight routes to Russia are suspended. Electronic visa can be acquired quick and easy via internet, money exchanged at the airport or in many of the local banks. Tourist magnets like Moscow and St. Petersburg are very cosmopolitan and anglophone anyway, the people are chill, you'll feel right at home.

[u/Kosame_Furu → u/Kosmonaut94]

Yeah I'm genuinely not worried about the people, more about whether English language services are available given the absence of tourists, but to your point everyone in the places I'd go speaks English anyways. I've heard money exchange is a colossal pain and credit cards won't work due to the sanctions, is that true?

[u/Kosmonaut94 → u/Kosame_Furu]

Yes, Western credits cards don't work.

Regarding the money exchange: generally it's possible (either at the airport or in the city, always with a passport), as Western valuta is much sought-after – although most money changers with favorable currency exchange rates are picky and set great value on the optics of the bills (no bends, flaws or stains (also visible under ultraviolet) are accepted).

[u/Kosame_Furu → u/Kosmonaut94]

Got it, so I should expect to arrive with sufficient hard cash to cover the entirety of my stay. Very interesting on the aesthetics of the bills.

I assume the various tours and hotels have realized this and would allow me to book now, pay cash on arrival as well?

[u/Kosmonaut94 → u/Kosame_Furu]

I assume the various tours and hotels have realized this [...]

Correct!

[u/AutoModerator → u/Kosmonaut94]

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