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    ATM Fee Guide
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    ATM Fees in Russia

    Russian Ruble (RUB) • Updated April 2026

    Due to sanctions, most foreign cards DO NOT WORK in Russia. Visa/Mastercard from Western countries are blocked. UnionPay cards issued outside of China are increasingly unreliable due to secondary sanctions. Do not rely on them. Bring pristine USD/EUR cash to exchange.

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    Tips for Russia

    • • Western Visa/Mastercard DO NOT WORK
    • • Bring USD or EUR cash to exchange
    • • UnionPay cards increasingly unreliable due to secondary sanctions
    • • US Dollars and Euros must be 'pristine' (no marks, folds, or stamps) to be exchanged
    • • Mir is the local card system
    • • Cash essential for foreigners
    • • Western banking apps (Apple Pay, Google Pay) will not work
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    Airport tips

    • • Airport ATMs won't work with Western cards
    • • Bring foreign cash to exchange
    • • Exchange offices available
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    Don't forget your home bank fees

    The fees shown above are charged by local ATMs. Your home bank may also charge additional fees for international withdrawals (typically 1-3% + a flat fee). Check with your bank before traveling.

    Estimated daily expenses

    How much cash you might need per day in Russia, per person.

    Your currency:

    Backpacker

    Hostels, street food, public transport

    3,100-8,300 RUB

    RUB/day

    🏨 Accommodation1,500-4,000 RUB
    🍜 Food & drinks800-2,000 RUB
    🚌 Transport300-800 RUB
    🎟️ Activities500-1,500 RUB

    ≈ $39.52-106 USD

    Mid-range

    Hotels, restaurants, mix of transport

    11,500-24,500 RUB

    RUB/day

    🏨 Accommodation6,000-12,000 RUB
    🍜 Food & drinks2,500-5,000 RUB
    🚌 Transport1,000-2,500 RUB
    🎟️ Activities2,000-5,000 RUB

    ≈ $147-312 USD

    Luxury

    Premium hotels, fine dining, private transport

    34,000-88,000 RUB

    RUB/day

    🏨 Accommodation20,000-50,000 RUB
    🍜 Food & drinks6,000-15,000 RUB
    🚌 Transport3,000-8,000 RUB
    🎟️ Activities5,000-15,000 RUB

    ≈ $433-1,122 USD

    Cash vs card acceptance

    Where you'll need cash and where cards work in Russia.

    Credit card acceptance

    None for Western cards

    Sanctions block Western cards. Western banking apps (Apple Pay, Google Pay) will not work. Bring pristine cash to exchange.

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    You'll need cash for

    • • Everything for Western tourists
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    Cards usually accepted

    • • Nothing for Western Visa/Mastercard holders

    💰 Cheapest banks for foreign cards

    These banks charge the lowest fees for withdrawals with foreign cards.

    BankATM FeeEst. CostBranches
    SberbankN/AN/A14,000
    VTBN/AN/A1,500

    📍 Most widely available ATMs

    Sorted by number of ATM locations. More branches means easier access, but fees may be higher.

    BankATM FeeEst. CostBranches
    SberbankN/AN/A14,000
    VTBN/AN/A1,500

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