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Thai-in-USA
Just Starting
Joined: 13 Mar 2009
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 5:34 am Post subject: Is Russia safe for an Asian tourist traveling alone? |
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I'm a Thai currently studying in the USA, and I'm planning of going to Russia sometimes around August. However, the racism situation in Russia really is a big concern for me.
My itinerary will be the following
St. Pete -> Novgorod -> Moscow -> Khazan -> Irkutsk -> Vladivostok -> St. Pete
I heard that cities other than Moscow and St. Pete are fine, but Moscow and St. Pete are quite notorious for the skinhead gangs and the neo-nazis. Will I be fine if, say like in St. Pete, I travel around the main tourist attractions? Do I have to be very cautious, or just use the basic common sense is enough?
I'm studying somewhere near Chicago, so are Moscow and St. Pete more dangerous than Hyde Park, the place where I can't walk alone in the night?
One more question, if I'm stopped by the police for the document check, if I am certain that everything is fine but the cops insist me to bribe them, should I just bribe them, or tell them that I'll call my embassy?
Please, please answer. I love Russia and really want to go there once in a lifetime, but the security concerns really dampen my plan. Thank you in advance. |
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gaijin
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 03 Oct 2007
Posts: 155
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| Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 9:35 am Post subject: |
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I know both cities fairly well, but I'm not sure what to answer about the situation in Piter and Moscow. But since you're in the USA, maybe you can answer my question.
I would love to travel to the USA, but I heard that big cities are the theater of gang wars. Should I wear a bulletproofjacket when I leave my hotel? Can you recommend some models?
OK I couldn't stop the irony. Oh and and if you see bears in the streets don't worry, they don't attack people. OK, done...
Places where you will go in Piter and Moscow are definitely safer than places you got used to. For example you won't be annoyed in the metro late in the evening. I don't know about Chicago, but I can tell you then taking the metro after 10 pm in Paris, especially going to the suburbs, can be scary.
Don't be worried about racism, people will just assume you're Kirghiz. So yes you will get controlled by the police, but there shouldn't be problems as there could have been 10 years ago. Just in case buy a local SIM card and put the appropriate phone number of your consulate in memory. In the worst case (cop trying to get a bribe): Stay cool, be patient, don't give anything. If you don't give the cop will let you go, especially if he sees you calling your consulate.
The only thing is that the crisis increased crime, and you should be reasonbly cautious if you are going in unturistic places (don't get close to stadiums days of football games). For taxis, only use reputable companies. |
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overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 741
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 11:35 am Post subject: |
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I'm going to butt in here, and I usually stay as far far away from the Russian racism threads as I can possibly get.
Russia is not only racist, but dangerously racist. Although I am white (thank god) I had quite a few friends in Moscow who were there for whatever various reasons or jobs, who were not white.
I can say this for sure: it is not a good thing to be not white in Russia.
Being an ethnic minority in Russia is certainly not a guarantee of harassment. You could spend weeks in Russia without an incident. But then again--you could find yourself in deep troubles. No guarantees either way.
If you are not white and you visit Russia, IMHO, you are taking your chances. I have seen first hand many incidents where non-whites were harassed--AND WORSE, much worse  --and have heard from many non whites some first person hair-raising horror stories.
Always there will come along the poster who says that you should take the same precautions in Moscow or St. Petersburg as you would in an other big city and largely you'll be fine, blah blah blah. I call BS on this. Russian racism is violent, dangerous, and unpredictable.
Any non-white person who goes to Russia should be made aware that for them, it is indeed a dangerous country. All the cautious behavior in the world will not save you from some kind of crazy extremist attack. I've seen it, and more than once.
If I were a not white person, and having seen the things I've seen, I would not go to Russia. No way no how.
Good luck and take care. |
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IREN
Frequent Guest
Joined: 03 Mar 2009
Posts: 61
Location: Россия, Москва
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Thai-in-USA
Just Starting
Joined: 13 Mar 2009
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 2:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Thank you very much. So, I have to be very cautious, but I believe it will be one of the most enjoyable trip for me |
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Jericho-79
Just Starting
Joined: 23 Mar 2009
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 4:22 am Post subject: |
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| I'm of Asian decent too, so I guess I'll have to be careful as well. |
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sawr868
Just Starting
Joined: 26 May 2009
Posts: 1
Location: UK
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| Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 4:58 am Post subject: |
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Hi - have you had any more thoughts on traveling alone? I am of half asia decent and I too plan to travel to Moscow alone in July. I will be arriving by train from Warsaw and staying overnight in Moscow before catching the Trans-Mongolian to beijing the next day.
I'm currently sharing the same concerns around safety. Does anyone have advice - would I be safe alone on the Metro during midday/early afternoon and around Red Square / Kremlin?
Any advice or experiences to share would be appreciated.
Thanks |
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IREN
Frequent Guest
Joined: 03 Mar 2009
Posts: 61
Location: Россия, Москва
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| Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 7:53 am Post subject: |
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sawr868
Around Red Area and the Kremlin it is a lot of employees of police (militia) and OMON (special militia), and it is a lot of people. In the underground too it is a lot of people. Try to avoid deserted places. I think You will be in safety.
I wish pleasant rest in Moscow 
P.S. I live in Moscow more than 10 years and never saw neo-nazis (only in news on the TV) |
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stanj
Frequent Guest
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 41
Location: St Petersburg Russia
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| Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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I live in St Petersburg and have not seen a skin head in 2 years. The only place to see them is in the international press which greatly exaggerates the problem.
There was more of a presence several years ago but the anti-fascist citizen groups have put enough pressure on the police such that any place they used to congregate has become off limits to them. The city center of SPb is pretty much devoid of them and tourists are not targeted anyway.
If you can deal with Chicago you can easily deal with St Petersburg and possibly Moscow( I am not the expert on Moscow, and personally I don't care for it). |
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shekhar
Frequent Guest
Joined: 15 Nov 2006
Posts: 10
Location: Bombay
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| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:46 pm Post subject: Asian in Russia |
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| Hi, I would rather agree with IREN and Stanj here.I am an Indian and I have been twice to Russia - Moscow, Krasnodar etc in 2006 and 2007. Every country or a city has some bad places and areas, which one is advised to avoid. I suggest please follow the common sense approach and you will be fine. Kremlin, Red Sqaure, Metro are perfectly safe, there are many people, many tourists and also a lot of security. I never noticed any animosity or strange glares, though I was with my Russian friend. I visited many places without any problems. As long as you are not to aggressive, loud or flashy with money and mannerisms, you will be fine. Stick to routine and avoid what even the locals do not do, you should be fine. Don't get scared by the comments here, what they actually mean is be careful and NOT afraid. Both cities Moscow and SPB are beautiful cities. Much to see, and so much to do. Learn a little common words of Russian and also how to identify signs, people always appreciate when you try to speak their language. Respect local culture and you will have no trouble. Have a great trip. |
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