You don't wanna be lost in a foreign soil. It is a nightmare and last thing you would want while travelling to a foreign country and specially in Russia. I was lost on my first day of the trip in Moscow 😬 dragging baggage with me all around Moscow. The tips I am about to share with you guys is gonna save your life in Russia. So, make sure you keep a note of these 😉

10 things to remember while travelling to Moscow

1. A local friend - Yes, Its the first and most important thing you would want to cross of from the 10 things to remember. Now, you must be thinking Why and How? 🤔 Well, first of all you need to have   a local friend so that you can get a local sim card mainly to have internet in your phone. I tried to get MTS sim card but it takes time to activate if you are foreigners. I don't see a logic but that's what i was told by MTS. So, my friend Elena (from Moscow) got me a sim card which was activated the same day. There are lot of platforms where you can interact with locals of Moscow. Most popular ones are Couch Surfing, Facebook, Pipingo, Tinder. If you approach decently, you will get responses for sure. Also, having a local friend can come handy if you are looking to try local cuisine, shopping etc.

2. Google Translate App - Don't ignore this one or you can land in some serious trouble. This saved my life on multiple occasions. Majority of people in Russia speak Russian. 1 or 2 out of 10 speak English. Don't expect you will survive without having Google Translator App. It can help you in explaining directions to cab driver, asking directions from local people, order your food etc.

3. Troika card - Its a card for using public transports like Metro, Bus, Tram in Moscow. You can buy this card from any Metro ticket counter or Automated ticked vending kiosks inside metro. Its saves a lot of rubles if you use this card over buying tickets each time you board a metro, bus or tram.



4. Yandex Metro App - Its a metro guide and works offline too. You will need this more than anything during your trip. One cannot afford to travel in cabs all the time. Metro is the most convenient mode of transport. It will guide your way from your origin destination to final destination and save you from being lost.



5. Phone / Tab Charger with long pins: I carried my iPhone charger (India) and was not able to plug it in the socket as the sockets were not compatible with my charger. I tried  to buy compatible one from outside but it was around 700-800 Rubles which is unnecessary waste of money. Luckily, A guy (Alex) from Peru was carrying an extra charger so he helped me out.



6. Phone case charger - What fun would it be if you can't click pictures of beautiful Museums, parks and Russian girls 😉 if your phone is switched off while you are hanging out in Moscow. You must be already carrying a bag and a selfie stick. You don't need to carry a power bank with you. Instead, get a  phone  cover with  inbuilt charger. It comes really handy and charges your phone in no time.



7. Currency (Rubles) - You do not need to convert your currency into rubles. You can use your Debit cards or Apple pay. I will suggest that you can withdraw cash from ATM there through your Visa/ Master Debit cards instead of converting  your local currency to Rubles. Conversion from Agencies, Airport and Hotel costs more to your pocket in comparison to withdrawing cash from ATM. You can carry your local currency cash with you and in case for some reason you are not able to withdraw cash, you can go for conversion.



8. Learn common phrases : Familiarize yourself with Russian phrases as English is not gonna save you. Do learn few Russian words and phrases to extend courtesy, ask for help, emergency and leave an impression on Russian girls 😎

9. Water Bottle : Always carry a water bottle with you because its not served for free in restaurants and  other public places as per my experience.

10. The last but most important thing to remember is to have fun 😂.

        Now start packing 😁