The ruble is the only legal tender. It is illegal to pay for goods and services in U.S. dollars except at authorized retail establishments.
Worn U.S. bills or bills marked in any way are often not accepted at banks and exchange offices, even though this constitutes a violation of currency laws. Travelers may sporadically experience some difficulty in obtaining or exchanging dollars outside of major cities in Russia.
Travelers need no longer bring large amounts of hard currency unless they expect to travel in rural areas. Outside of major cities, commercial enterprises still operate largely on a cash basis and travelers should plan accordingly.
Credit card acceptance, while not universal, is rapidly spreading in Moscow and to a lesser extent in other large cities. However, it is not always predictable. Travelers should check in advance whether a specific store, restaurant, or hotel accepts credit cards. Travelers should know that for no apparent reason Russian credit card readers sometimes decline some valid credit cards. For this reasons, travelers should also have a back up (multiple cards or an ATM card) in case their card is not accepted.
Automated Teller machines are called “Bankomat” and are plentiful throughout Moscow and to a lesser extent other large cities. As in any city, American citizens should only use ATMs in well-lit, populated places. Dark, deserted locations invite theft and attacks. In addition, ATM users in Russia are more susceptible to becoming victims of fraud than in the United States. To lessen the possibility of becoming a victim of ATM fraud, American citizens should use ATMs that are physically attached to an established banking institution. Avoid “stand-alone” machines found on street corners and in metro stations. ATM users should also monitor their bank accounts on a regular basis. Any irregular activity associated with unauthorized withdrawals should be reported immediately to the bank.
Holders of travelers’ checks have reported problems having them accepted in many commercial enterprises and even some banks. Personal checks are rarely accepted in Russia.
Western union agents in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other large cities, which disburse money wired from the U.S. to Russia, sometimes experience periodic cash shortages
