Yekaterinburg Travel Forum

oops, always hit 'post' too soon, I must get my brain in gear more!

I've been looking to buy Russian Rubles before I got out to Yekaterinburg - I can't find anywhere to get them! For previous holidays I've gone to Thomascook and had no problems, this time I checked the website and they only have Euros or US Dollars?!

Anyone know where to buy Rubles from in the UK?

Ideally that I can collect as I go on the 4th August!

Thanks again!

Cyreath.

My opinion differs from previous writer. If you have to exchange UK Pound for Euro/US$ and then when you get there exchange it AGAIN to local currency. You are paying just that crazy exchange he is talking about. ----double exange fees.

From my experience (in Canada) there was international bank, which had ALL currencies, but you had to order ahead as they were not able to keep every currency on hand. I am sure there must be one in London, but who knows where you are.

Always exchange your money in regular bank and not where they don't know British currency, that is ridiculous as Brits (Germans too) travel Europe most and of course your currency is known. Not necessary in some village, so make sure you exchange your money either at the airport or in the bank.

I've never seen anywhere in Russia that exchanges Pounds , personally i'd take US dollars as you can change them everywhere , you can't get roubles from an exchange outside Russia so don't bother trying.

Give up the idea to bring Roubles into Russia - when they catch you at the airport you will be in real trouble !!
Come with currencies that everybody in the banks recognizes easily : Dollars & Euros (ONLY NEW & CLEAN bills and smaller denominations !!).
ATMs are everywhere and the best way to get cash, once that you are in Russia.
50-100 $ or Euros should be enough to change in the bank upon arrival, just in case that there is no ATM available.
Dr.Woland knows of a severe case of Rouble-smuggling OUT of Russia, 2 years ago, and after all my experiences in Russsia, I was glad, when the customs did not find my rest of 17 Roubls (0,5 Euros) in my luggage...
Russia is a place where you may hardly predict, how officials will react in your case...
You might become a "walking ATM-machine" for some officers, who have a lot more power than in any western country and NO judge above them.
And they will talk only Russian !
Make sure to be able to read the russian alphabet, you will be lost otherwise when on your own !!

Thanks for the feedback all!

I'm going to get a mix of US Dollars and Euros to hedge my bets then :)

Thanks again!

Cyreath