Currency
The official currency is the Rouble (RUB), which is divided
into 100 kopeks. Most major credit cards, like Visa and Mastercard
are accepted in the larger hotels and at places that deal with
foreign tourists. Currency can be changed at banks, currency
exchange booths and hotels. Travellers cheques are difficult and
expensive to cash, but if necessary it is advised to take them in
US Dollars or Euro. ATMs are widely available in major cities. It
is hard to get rubles outside Russia and travellers are advised to
take good condition US dollars or Euro notes to change once there.
It is illegal to pay for goods or services in hard currency, though
it is often accepted.
