Converting funds into Russian Rubles
The rate of exchange between world currencies and the Ruble change daily. The most commonly compared rates are the US Dollar and the Euro. It is no longer a common practice to pay for goods or services in dollars or Euros. Most store owners, hotels, and taxi cabs will expect payment in Rubles. If you are offered the convenince of paying in a non Russian currency-be aware of the exchange rate first, as you could be paying much more than you realize.
ATM Machines, called “Automat” are more common in larger cities, including hotel lobbies and shopping malls. You can use an American based Visa Debit card and withdraw funds in Rubles with little effort. This is often easier than going through the exchange process at a bank.