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ATM Fees, etc. Goto page 1, 2  Next

Way to Russia Talk Lounge Forum Index -> Transport

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El-Casey Lounge Lizard Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 87 Location: Мелбурн, Флорида США	Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 9:09 pm    Post subject: ATM Fees, etc. I noticed in another thread (a fellow going to Saratov, from back in March) that Intourist mentioned the ATM fee is $3. Is this for all/most ATM networks? I'm currently a member of a local credit union, but I'll likely switch to Wachovia before I leave. Anyone have experience using a Wachovia account via ATM/check card in Moscow? Other banks? Other question (and I've heard mixed reviews), can I take my current mobile phone (Cingular Motorola v400) and put a Russian SIM in it? I doubt it, but I thought I'd check. I think phones are manufactured for specific carriers and cannot be switched to other networks. Along the same lines, how much is a decent camera phone going to cost me in Moscow? I love my Motorola, but I'm not going to pay $500 for a phone in Moscow. Or $300 for that matter. Also, what's the recommendation on how much cash to carry on the initial trip in? I was thinking $1K-$1500, but if I don't need that much (I figure enough to handle initial costs like additional winter clothing, etc. and enough to live on until I get acclimated to the MGU area, where the ATMs are, and the like) then I won't take that much, and I'll stick to the ATMs. As always, all input appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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elistoughton Guest	Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 10:23 pm    Post subject: As far as the phone goes, it is a quad-band phone, which means it will pretty much work anywhere that there is a GSM network, provided that the phone is unlocked. It probably isn't already unlocked, so you would need to get in unlocked. You can search around on the internet for codes or services to do that. As far as getting a Russian SIM, you can get one here. I, myself would also like some more ATM info. BTW, how long will you be there??
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El-Casey Lounge Lizard Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 87 Location: Мелбурн, Флорида США	Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 11:46 pm    Post subject: If I can unlock my phone and use it with a Megafon (or whatever) SIM, that would be great. I'll hunt around and see if I can find an unlock code for my v400, but usually the forums dedicated to that stuff are full of idiots and kids. Worst case, I'll buy another phone, but if a US Cingular Motorola v400 is quad-band and will work, that would be awesome. I'll be in Moscow for 10 months, back home to Florida for July '06, then back again to pursue a "Journo" degree. I'm just studying the language the bulk of my first trip, via the "University Preparatory Course" from SRAS. Thanks for the information, much obliged!
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elistoughton Guest	Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 4:01 am    Post subject: http://www.thetravelinsider.info/roadwarriorcontent/motorolaunlocking.htm this is an unlocking service that would work, but I'm not sure if you can do it cheaper and easier. http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=471758 Check out the second link, I don't have time to read it now, but it might help you.
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elistoughton Guest	Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 5:15 am    Post subject: From what I've read, it seams that your V400 is probably unlocked.
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e VIP Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 654	Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 9:31 am    Post subject: Quote: Other question (and I've heard mixed reviews), can I take my current mobile phone (Cingular Motorola v400) and put a Russian SIM in it? I doubt it, but I thought I'd check. I think phones are manufactured for specific carriers and cannot be switched to other networks. Along the same lines, how much is a decent camera phone going to cost me in Moscow? I love my Motorola, but I'm not going to pay $500 for a phone in Moscow. Or $300 for that matte What a small world! You and I both use Cingular and have the exact same phone. You're fine. You can switch SIM cards easily and you don't have to unlock your phone. I used Vodafone while I was in the UK in January. They were the cheapest. I dunno if Voda is in Russia, but i'd use them if they are. Make sure that you get an electric converter for your re-chrage adaptor tho. As for banking, I work at an intl bank as I would only suggest you keep your American account only if you've got the money to withstand the wiring fees and other countless charges they charge expats. Try looking up Wachovia's affiliate in Russia or foriegn owned Russian banks like Moscow International Bank, Russian Citibank, or Brunswick UBS. Or contact these guys. This was from a co-worker and who we advise: Expat Department: Kozhevnichesky lane 4, bldg. 7, Moscow, 113114, Russia Tel: +7 (095) 967-3092, Fax: +7 (095) 787-2177 E-mail: expat@europ-assistance.ru, www.europ-assistance.ru
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elistoughton Guest	Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 10:20 am    Post subject: This seems like a good resource for us to use: http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/russia.html
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MrSpice Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431	Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 7:19 pm    Post subject: Anyone knows about ATM fees? That is the question I have. I have a Citibank ATM card, and I am curious what kind of charges I can expect if I get cash in ATm machines in St Petersburg. When I used my card in Europe and Mexico, I got a great exchange rate and rather small fee. I wonder if it's different for Russia.
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e VIP Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 654	Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 10:15 pm    Post subject: Its the same fees that you'll be charged for like when you use your ATM card at a different bank's ATM in the US only that it'll be quadrupled. Even if its the same bank. But the good news is: you wont be charged exchange commission and/or tax. I wouldn't use your ATM anyway. My company advises you either use your credit card, travelers checks, or have cash on you. Always use your creidt card. $0 fees, and $0 commission or taxes. The security is a lot less and worse there and someone at the bank or the ATM could access your code.
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init6 WayToRussified Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 363 Location: Москва, Россия	Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 1:33 am    Post subject: Hmm, I've heard quite the opposite (remember, this is El Casey - my main account is screwed and I can't log into it). I've heard leave everything (within reason, i.e. "travelling cash" excluded) in your home account and use ATMs for all your withdrawals. My budget is approximately US$1200/month, so depending on ATM withdrawal limits, if they even exist in Russia, I'll be making at most six withdrawals per month. Furthermore, a Citibank account in the US gets you little or no fees at Citibank ATMs in Russia (http://www.citibank.ru). There is a "ZAO Citibank" which offers very interesting account options, and I may transfer the bulk of my "wealth" (laughable amount that it is, but I'm not pretending to be a mini-garch, either ) to a Citibank account in the US, so as to avoid ATM fees in Moscow by using Citibank ATMs, which obviously, if they're Citibank, are secure and reliable. Worst case, I can make a withdrawal at a Moscow Citibank branch. Either way, I'm NOT taking $20K+ (my year's budget for '05/'06 school year) with me in the form of cash, traveller's checks and traveller's cards. If I can transfer my money from my US Citibank account to a Russian ZAO Citibank account, I will do so, if only because it allows the option of keeping your money in Euros. Perhaps the dollar will recover in light of the Constitution shoot-down vote, but I still place higher value, and stability, on the Euro than the dollar. In the US, most banks limit ATM withdrawals to $200 per 24 hours to eliminate the risk of a thief emptying your entire account with a stolen card/PIN. If that's the case in Moscow, I can damn sure survive for a day or two on RUR6000 until I can get to a Citibank branch or another Citibank ATM (and I'm sure there's plenty in Peter as well). Back to the phones momentarily, I'll go ask around at my local Cingular store regarding the "factory unlocked" status of the Motorola v400. Hopefully I can get a definitive answer by assuring them that, no, I don't intend to pursue another American carrier and I can't get their service in Russia. Great thread, and I'm SO very pleased that this has stayed on-topic and very useful!
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MrSpice Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431	Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 2:41 am    Post subject: I will just buy a cheap russian cell phone and pre-paid service. I heard it's cheaper than using your US phone and easier.
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e VIP Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 654	Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 7:02 am    Post subject: Remember this if you keep everything on you: if you get robbed or anything of yours gets stolen, thats it. Checks and cash easliy get stolen and duplicated get accessed to while credit cards are harder to use if stolen which is why my bank recconmends that you use a credit card. Remember Casey, this is Russia. Standards and security are much lower. Spice: read the earlier threads again: bring your US phone and buy a SIM card there. Last edited by e on Thu Jun 02, 2005 10:49 am; edited 2 times in total
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elistoughton Guest	Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 8:02 am    Post subject: e wrote: Spice: read the earlier threads again: bring your US phone abd buy a SIM card there Yea, if you have an unlocked GSM phone, or a GSM phone that you can get unlocked, it will be much cheaper than buying a phone in Russia.
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e VIP Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 654	Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 12:08 pm    Post subject: All right Casey, heres what to do: The moment you land and get to the airport terminal, look at the company displayed at the screen where you would normally see Cingular on your phone. You'll see a different company on there. That is either Cingular's affliate in Russia or the local company compatible with your SIM card and Phone as it is the only signal that your phone can pick up. Head on over to any phone shop or corner store and buy and install the SIM for that company that you see on your screen. Switiching your phone off and on may or will give you a different company sometimes. Again, thats your phone sniffing around for a signal to pick up and it found the ones most compatible with your phone and SIM. When you pick up these ramdon signals, you wont be able make calls until you buy the SIM card for these companies you see there. When you leave the country, the Cingular SIM will automatically get disconnected. Your voicemail will be deactivated. You wont be charged by Cingular for anything. If you don't have intl roaming, your Cingular SIM is officially dead the moment you hit the Atlantic. DON'T go to Cingular. They'll either wont know or pretend not to know and con you into signing on to their international plan or buy a more expensive phone. And don't forget to buy the converter so you can recharge your phone.
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elistoughton Guest	Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 12:11 pm    Post subject: http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/russia.html This link lists all the Russian Cell Phone Companies that offer prepaid SIM cards.
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