Time The Time in the European part of Russia is 3 hours more than Greenwich meridian time or two hours more than central European part. (+3 GMT or +2 CET). During summer daylight saving time, Russia's time is + 4 hours to Greenwich. So if in London it’s 10.00 in Moscow it’s 13.00 (in Russia the 24-hour system is used).
Money The official Russian currency is Rubles (rub`li). One rouble ( o`din rubl') consists of 100 kopeek (1 kopeika - od`na (one) ko`peika). Usually, there are no commissions if you change US dollars and euro to roubles, but if you do vice-versa, they'll charge you 1-2%. Always check how much you've got, while you are in front of the cashier. There're plenty of exchange offices in Moscow. "Exchange office" in Russian language sounds "ob`men va`lyuty". Exchange offices at the airports and railway stations offer slightly lower exchange rate.
Climate Moscow is located in the middle of the continent, so the temperature is contintal, which means hot weather in Summer and cold weather in Winter. The hottest months are July and August, when the temperatures can reach +30-35 celcius. They are followed by mild September, which turns into Indian Summer - the last warm days of the year usually in the end of the month. October sees the Autumn starting and the temperatures can go down to zero by the end of the month. The first snow usually appears in the middle of November, but the most snowy months are January and February. February is also the coldest month, when the temperatures often go down to minus 15 celcius. March is when the Spring comes, and the temperatures rise back to zero and it becomes quite warm by the end of April only (10-15 celcius). The snow leaves some time in the end of March. The end of April sees an abrupt change to warm and sunny weather, and in the beginning of May it can already be +20. May is actually the most comfortable month, as there are not many rains and the temperature stays around +20.
Transport
There are three major airports in Moscow: Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Vnukovo. If you come from abroad you will arrive either to Sheremetyevo 2 international airport (all major international airlines and Aeroflot) or to Domodedovo international airport
In Moscow you can use any car as a taxi, most of the private drivers will give you a lift but only for money. Just wave any car like a taxi. It's better to negotiate the price before starting a trip (even cabmen don't like to use counters). When the driver recognizes you as a foreigner, he will try to make you pay the highest price - so bargain. It is a good way to find out the fair price before (ask the locals). Using the taxis is more safe and sometimes even cheaper, but there are not many taxis on the streets, only in lively places. You can recognize a taxi by a typical 'chess' sign on top and yellow colour. Here's a list of Moscow taxi operators (they barely speak English, though)
Electricity Everywhere in Russia 220 Volt and 50 Hz AC current supplies are used. Most of the sockets are standard European-size for double round-pin plugs, the same as in France or Germany. Appliances from the US, Canada, Britain will need adaptors (it's better to buy them in your own country, as it's very hard to find them in Russia). Power cuts and not very common, but the electricity current is not as quality as in Europe (power surges), so if you have a sensitive device it's better to get a stabilizer for it, especially if you are traveling. Most trains have electricity sockets where you can change your mobile telephones or plug in a shaver, but it is not recommended to use them for sensitive devices (such as laptops) without a stabilizer.
News
01.06.2007