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stabone76
Just Starting
Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 6
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 Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 2:11 pm Post subject: Travel to Russia |
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I am completely confused about russia. If the median income is like 250 a month, or less, how can hotels be 150 bucks a night? I saw the prices on www.travelegit.com and that is on the low end. How can it be so expensive for everything. I was planning a trip to europe that will be alot cheaper than russia, and the standard of living is MUCH higher. The only reason i ask is because i have a russian penpal whom i would like to meet. (its probably someone scamming me but who knows). Anyway, i figured if i took about two grand (not counting plane ticket) it would be more than enough for a couple months since its what some people make in a year. Now i dont even know if i could last two weeks with two grand by the time you add trains and hotels.
Also, what sites are the best for booking trains? would it be okay if i just got my tickets there? I would imagine it would be cheaper. |
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overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 741
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 4:07 pm Post subject: |
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Russians don't stay in $150 a night hotel rooms--foreigners with money do.
Two thousand bucks for a couple of months will never make it in Moscow. You could squeak by in more provincial areas, but not Moscow.
Train tickets are generally pretty easy to get and not so expensive, but *customer service* in Russia leaves something to be desired.....if you don't speak any Russian at all, ticket kacca babushki tend not to be very helpful and sometimes downright hostile. You get used to it after a while.
You never mentioned where you were going in Russia. Be aware that English here is a fair rarity outside of Moscow and St. Pete and without some Russian language skills you will find traveling here difficult. |
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kloid
Frequent Guest
Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 46
Location: Milwaukee
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 5:07 pm Post subject: out of moscow |
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| If your friend can find living arrangements for you and meet you at the airport, then you will be much better off. If you stay with your friend and live in a city away from moscow you could do it pretty easy on $2000. You can get an apartment for $200 a month or less, but they usually want 2 months rent and a fee equal to one months rent for some stupid reason. Eating out is cheap in the city I go to. Give us the city your going to, that would be helpful. |
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init6
WayToRussified
Joined: 01 Jun 2005
Posts: 363
Location: Москва, Россия
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 5:20 pm Post subject: |
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As Overseas mentioned, Moscow is quite expensive. It's the fourth most expensive city in the world. I live there but, as a student, I'm in a dormitory that costs me $90/month. I live quite comfortable on $1000-$1200/month, and I will likely move out of the dorm and in with a babushka (host family deal through the school) which should cost $200/month (and that's just for a bedroom and one meal per day).
Moscow is expensive but, "Moscow isn't Russia." It's expensive for foreigners, not so much for Russians. Food is cheap if you cook (I do), public transport is a steal as a student (just a student ID won't do it, though), and if you get used to walking everywhere you don't have to spend that much money. I eat up most of my monthly budget in going out (both to bars/clubs and restaurants). I've gotten bored of just drinking all the time, so I'm starting to see a lot more cultural sites which, for the most part, are extremely reasonable.
If you're only going for a couple of months, you need to try to stay with a friend. If you have to stay in a hotel you'll never make it on two grand. Search through all the forums, there are loads of topics related to this already. |
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bryak
WayToRussified
Joined: 28 Oct 2005
Posts: 321
Location: Edmonton, Canada
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 9:04 pm Post subject: Re: Travel to Russia |
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| stabone76 wrote: | | I am completely confused about russia. |
Yes, Russia can at first seem to be very enigmatic. I've tried to learn as much as I can over teh last few months and it still confuses the heck out of me.
If you're looking for cheap accomodation try this:
www.couchsurfing.com
nothing better than a free place to sleep. |
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LeeLee
Frequent Guest
Joined: 24 Nov 2005
Posts: 65
Location: Rostov On Don
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 10:20 pm Post subject: all depends |
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as said above all depends on which city you are heading for
I spend a lot of time in various small towns and villages--- and in a village miles away from moscow--- you will be suprised how far a few hunred bucks will go---
where are you heading for--- I live 1100 kms from Moscow and 18000 from Spb |
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stabone76
Just Starting
Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 10:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Inza (Ulyanovsk area). |
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stabone76
Just Starting
Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:30 am Post subject: Its been a while |
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Okay, i actually came across this link when out of boredom i googled my own username (which i use for most things). I pretty much gave up on Russia and just decided on Europe because of all i had read about not being able to get a russian visa unless you have someone to "host you" or vouch for you. Is that really accurate or can i get a visa easier (somehow) than i think
tony |
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