Way to Russia Talk Lounge

davidbrock1 · Just Starting Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 6

Does anyone know where I can exchange pounds for roubles in the UK. I normally have to go through the routine of obtaining US doilars and then getting my friend to exchange them into roubles in Russia. I've not heard aynone says
its illegal to obtain roubles outside Russia but it seems that banks just don't do it.

Thanks

David

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1601

You can't. Rubles are not used outside Russia as they cannot be brought outside Russia. You can exchange pounds in the banks and other money changes in Russia for reasonable rates if you know where.

Dr Fauste · Site Admin Joined: 23 Nov 2004 Posts: 654

In Canada, you can buy Roubles. Ask your bank preference to larger ones.

Intourist · Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 11:22 am Post subject:

clanger · Just Starting Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 3

The last time I was in "Marks and Spencers" getting some Euros
for my visit to russia they mentioned that they had recently
started suppling roubles, but they needed a few days notice to get them in.
This was about 9 months ago and I assume they still do it.

I find the ATMs in russia fine and my bank gives me great exchange rates.
I always keep a a few roubles back at the end of each trip to use
the next time I visit. It's not easy to catch a bus or tram with the 500 or 1000
rouble notes the ATMs at the airports give out.

Vic · Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2005 9:06 pm Post subject:

You can but I don't suggest you do that if you plan on coming to Russia anyways. Get 200p from a friend or relative (enough to get from airport to city) and then use one of the numerous exchange points here. Last summer when I was in Canada the exchange rate was pothetic, I would loose almost 4%-6% of the sum more than here. (Big deal if you are exhanging like 1000 pounds)
Vic