Europe

Insurance

 

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for any activities you may wish to undertake. As well as full insurance cover for medical treatment and accidents, we recommend that you obtain cover for unexpected losses such as cancelled flights, stolen cash, cards, passport or luggage. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.

Registration 

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Money

 

Russian currency (roubles) is not widely available in the UK, although the Post Office can order it in (this takes up to three days). If you wish to purchase roubles in Russia, we advise that you take US dollars or Euros to change. All dollar or euro notes should be in good condition. You should only change money at banks, hotels and recognised exchange kiosks. It is an offence to change money from street traders. It is illegal to pay directly with dollars or Euros.

Most hotels, restaurants and larger shops accept credit cards, but smaller shops do not. ATMs exist in most major cities. Travellers cheques are not widely accepted.