This article tries to answer a frequent question that confronts all those who have traveled to Russia: Where is it better to change Australian dollars for rubles? In the airport? At your bank? In a bank in Russia? In an ATM in Russia? Making your purchases on your credit card? Is it better to change your money before you travel or is it better to do it in Russia? I will answer all of these questions.
Article updated August 17, 2019. Published June 24, 2016
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Introduction
A very common question that arises before traveling to Russia is where to change dollars for rubles. Money exchange is a very lucrative business and all brokers charge a fee for making the change, although some more than others.
Basically, I say that there are two options for paying in rubles: use cash or use a bank card in Russia for all purchases.
Personally, I prefer to change a little cash to rubles before leaving to pay for the essential expenses upon my arrival at the airport (taxi, food, drink, etc.). Once in Russia, I prefer to use my card to make payments both in restaurants and in shops since both Visa and Mastercard often offer a good exchange rate.
Basic information:
- While it is true that in some shops or restaurants they may also accept payment dollars or euros, but usually you have to pay with rubles. That means that it is impossible to avoid the hassle of changing dollars to rubles. When traveling to Russia, you simply have to exchange dollars for rubles.
- Except for small purchases in little shops or kiosks, credit cards are generally accepted in most restaurants and shops in the big cities (it is possible that in more rural, remote areas than the large cities they may not be accepted).
1. Changing your money at an airport in Russia
You can change dollars to rubles in an exchange office at the airport. However, this option is usually the worst since the exchange rate applied by exchange offices in Russian airports are usually the worst by far for the customer.
This is an expensive and very unwise choice. Even changing small quantities. Do not be fooled by the “no commission” since instead of a commission they charge you a very unfavorable exchange rate.
2. Changing your money at your bank before you travel
This means going to your bank and requesting to exchange some dollars to rubles. Most likely you will have to wait a few days for them to get them back to you (assuming that your bank offers this service).
This method is usually quite unfavorable, but usually better than making the change at the airport. Banks also typically charge a fee for currency exchange. In addition, not all banks change rubles.
3. Buying currency online
This option is better than the previous ones. It allows you to buy foreign currency online (also rubles) and collect money in a nearby office (in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth …) or at major airports in Australia.
I use Travelex to take some money (30.000 – 40.000 rubles) and to be able to cope with expenses when arriving in Russia (taxi, food, etc.). Travelex offers much better exchange rate than banks.
4. Changing money at an ATM in Russia
This option involves using your debit card, either Visa or Mastercard, (not credit, which is much more expensive) to get cash from an ATM. You can take out money at an ATM at the airport or in the city center.
While the exchange rate offered by Visa or Mastercard is much more favorable than the previous options, instead, the banks apply a fee for extraction and one for currency exchange. The exchange rate applied by Visa is available at this link and the rate applied by Mastercard is also available on its website.
Normally banks operating entirely online usually offer better conditions. In contrast, traditional banks usually apply a higher fee that can be as high as 5% or more.
It is best to always ask your bank in advance to know what the fee is that they will apply for transactions in Russia.
In any case, this is a good way to exchange your money provided your bank is not charging you high fees. It is also a convenient solution because in Russia you can find ATMs on every corner.
5. Changing your money with a Russian bank
This option entails taking your dollars with you from home and making the exchange in a bank in Russia. The exchange rate applied by Russian banks is much better than you can find in the airport or at your bank.
I always advise asking at your hotel’s reception desk to indicate where there is a nearby bank that offers a good exchange rate and no commission.
Changing your money in a bank in Russia is a more economical way to change dollars for rubles since the exchange rate they apply is a little more favorable than with the previous options but keep in mind that this has three drawbacks:
- You have to waste time going to a bank and perhaps waiting in line in order to perform the transaction (this has happened to me more than once).
- You have to bring your dollars in cash from home (risk of loss or theft).
- Some banks apply a fee (you must ask beforehand).
6. Changing your money through buying with a debit or credit card
For me, this is the best way to change dollars for rubles. Keep in mind that in Russia, bank cards are accepted in most shops and restaurants practically the same as in Australia or New Zealand. It is true that for small purchases and payments in kiosks or in small shops you will need cash, but you can make all the important purchases with a card without a problem.
With a Mastercard or a Visa, you can make purchases with a good exchange rate and only pay a fee for currency exchange that is usually around 3%, although there are banks that do not apply this fee. To make purchases you can use either your debit card or your credit card.
The card I use in Russia is the Revolut card, since it applies the best exchange rate in Russia and without commissions. It is a prepaid card that you can recharge through your bank card, by bank transfer, through Apple Pay, PayPal, etc. It can be requested for free through this link.
Final Recommendations
As you have seen, currency exchange can be done in different ways. This is what I usually do when I travel to Russia:
- I take a small amount of rubles that I change at Travelex before I leave home to cover the initial expenses.
- Once in Russia, I use my Revolut card for all purchases except for those places that do not accept them (kiosks, small shops …). It is much easier to use a card than it is to waste time having to go to banks in Moscow to change for rubles. Moreover, the cost is similar.
- Finally, I also take money in dollars. If I need more cash in rubles then I can change them in any bank at a good price, but sometimes I also use my debit card to withdraw cash at ATMs.
What has been your experience changing dollars for rubles? You can leave your comments below.
All, there is no better option than the Citibank Plus Everyday Account if travelling from Australia.
Thank you for the info!
I generally avoid ATM because of the fees and the unfavourable rate at the exchange offices.
Just discovered a new mobile app for my next trip Fairswap. It allows to exchange cash currency in real-time by meeting with each other at a pre-agreed location.
Widely, you can post your need in foreign currency and if there is someone nearby facing the reverse need, then he can contact you and you will meet him and make the swap.
Could be a good way to change before travelling or get rid of some leftover after holidays
Before leaving Australia I went to Travelex at a mall, they said to order rubbles about a week in advance as they did not keep on hand.
At ANZ I got a debit card that you load currency onto, not rubbles though, this took about an hour at a branch. They put Euro and another currency I anted to use on the way. Euro is acceptable in Russia while Australian $ is not. In Moscow, no bank even international banks like Citibank would exchange my Australian dollars for Rubbles. I found a small bank by phone (with the help of a translator) they said they traded Australian dollars but when I went there they only wanted to sell Aust $ for 67 rubbles for one $ (hugely inflated) Then I found another local bank in Moscow that said they would trade AU $ to Rubbles and online advertised 43 = $1 AU but at the counter it was 35 = $1. My advice would be order rubbles at a Travelex before you leave Australia, get a card that has Euro loaded onto that can be topped up online from you accounts in Australia. Change a bit of Australian dollars at the airport in Russia if you need to, I was too tired to do this and thought it would be easy to exchange but it was very tedious and would have been 2-3 hours round trip to return to the airport. It has been one of the most inconvenient and annoying banking exchange situations ever. I have lived and worked in three other foreign countries, two in Asia and never had so much trouble with Aust Dollars.
Thanks for this article. I have just been searching for somewhere to buy rubles and found that none of the 4 big banks in Australia have them – hard to believe. So if I don’t find anywhere else I will definitely get some cash through Travelex and then use the cards in Russia.
Hi, I’ve exchanged AUD through UAE exchangers. They offer a pretty good rate. Nonetheless, great informative article.
Are ATM machines at airports as good as anywhere else? If so, do I need to bring some Rubles with me, or can I just use ATM at airport?
Hello Irena, I will be in Kaliningrad in June 25 for 5 days for FIFA world Cup. Do you think Citibank Plus debit Master card will be ok or need also cash in Rubles/US dollars?
Dear Irena, I will be in Russia for a week, does the taxis take debit card if booked by app? My phone is from India and the app is not working so need my friend to book a taxi for me.
Can you also tell how an ATM machine would generally look and how i can understand the steps,or is there a way to translate the language to english?
Hi Irena, I will only be in Russia for two days with a cruise. Should I still take some rubles or just rely on withdrawing small amount at an ATM? How safe are the ATMs to use? thanks!
It’s up to you. ATM are totally safe
We are heading to Russia in 2 weeks time. I am having a great deal of trouble buying rubles through Travelex as they are not being offered. We are being met at Vladivostok Airport and so will not need any cash to start with. Do you recommend changing some Australian dollars at a bank the following day.
I also have a cash card. Have you had any experience with Travelex being out of rubles?
You can change at a bank in Vladivostok or with your card (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro) using an ATM
Irena, do they have pay wave facilities in major Russian cities?
hi irina would you be able to help me , i am in the process of getting married to a russian lady i want to live in her country what is the procedure i cannot get any info thank you
Hi Irena. Do banks exchange Australia dollars for Rubles in St Petersburg. I have been told no one will exchange Australian dollars and that we should bring American dollars?? Also are the ATM’s at the airport reputable? Many thanks Sue