Where do you want to go? Transportation
and accommodation in Russia

Marshrootka

To some the route system of marshrootka may look unusual. They are buses or minibuses that ride along specific routes, that typically differ from the routes of traditional municipal buses. In addition to the stops specific to their routes, you can also board them at usual public transportation stops. In some cities you’ll have to raise your hand to board, as you would do when catching a cab. The gesture looks like this: arm extended out to the side, parallel to the ground.

Russian subway

The aesthetics of Russian subway station design deserves special attention. Many stations are architectural masterpieces of their era.

Fares cost and payment

In Russia, fares are established by the local authorities. The fares of different modes of transportation differ, and may also depend on the time of day.

For example, in the city of Tomsk a bus ride costs 32 rubles, while a tram or trolleybus ride costs 30 rubles (January 2026).

In addition, transport cards offer a reduced fare when combining several modes of transportation (bus + subway, for example). This way you can save on your trips.

The “Troika” (Тройка) card is used in Moscow, (Topping up and verification of “Тройка”). And in St. Petersburg they use the “Podorozhnik” (Подорожник) card (Topping up your “Подорожник” transport card | “GorodPay”).

You can buy a transport card at public transport stops or at a subway ticket office. To pay for a ride, you need to tap your card to the electronic reader installed in a vehicle. You can also buy a ticket at the ticket office when you enter the subway. In some cities, you can board the subway if you have paid for entry with a bank card. To do so, just tap your card to the turnstile.

If payment by transport cards is not available at your location, you’ll need to pay a transportation fare to a driver or a conductor when you get on or off the vehicle.

The ticket must be kept until the end of the trip, as controllers may check for it. If your child occupies a separate seat, then you’ll need to pay a fare. A child under 7 years old who does not occupy a separate seat rides free of charge. Aside from paying a standard fare, if you have a luggage (a trunk, a box, or any other large item), you must pay for its transportation too.

Taxi

For a quick and comfortable trip, or if you are new to the country or city and have difficulty getting your bearings, a taxi might be the best option. To order a taxi you can call a phone number or use a mobile app, such as “Yandex Go” (Яндекс Go), Maxim, or “Uber”.

Carsharing, and how to rent a car

Isn’t it great that most of the traffic rules and signs are international? If you have a Russian permanent residence permit (PRP) or citizenship permit, replace your driver’s license with a Russian one. This will allow you to use short-term car rental services, such as carsharing, or rent a car for a longer period of time. The carsharing is based on a per-minute charge. After the trip, you can leave the rented car at any place of the city.

Out of town for the weekend

Staying far away from your place of work or study? Want to take a weekend trip to a neighboring city or travel across the country? In this case you will need intercity ground transportation. Buses and commuter trains depart from bus stations, airports, and commuter train stations. High-speed electric trains, suburban trains, long-distance trains with a transfer or direct route will take you to the desired settlement.

You can check out schedules online and buy a ticket for a commuter or intercity train on the “RZhD” (РЖД) website, and in apps like “Yandex Raspisaniya” (Яндекс Расписания), “Yandex Puteshestviya” (Яндекс Путешествия), “ZhD Bilety” (ЖД билеты), and “Tutu.ru” (Туту.ру).

Buying a ticket online has many advantages. First of all, it’s time. No need to stand in line at a cashier’s office or contact an agency. You can buy a ticket in minutes anytime, anywhere with Internet access. Secondly, it’s safety. The “РЖД” website uses state-of-the-art data protection methods that keep your personal and payment information secure. Thirdly, convenience. You don’t have to print the ticket to present it when boarding the train. Saving it on your device will do.

Air traveling within Russia is also common and convenient.

Hostels

When renting a room, or living in a dormitory (hostel), you will share the restrooms, showers, and kitchen with your neighbors. In the apartment, the kitchen and bathroom will be available to you personally. And that’s not the only difference.

Living in a hostel allows you to save on housing costs, but you need to be prepared for certain inconveniences that come with collective living and limited access to facilities. Some might see the lack of privacy as a disadvantage. Shared rooms and bathrooms mean you have to share space with other guests. The concentration of people in one place can sometimes cause noise and disorder. It makes it difficult to rest. Also, due to the lack of storage space, you might find it hard to fit your bulky luggage and clothing.

The pros of living in a hostel for foreigners include a social environment that makes it easy to make new acquaintances. Communicating with people from different parts of the world will make your everyday life interesting and rich. In addition, hostels usually offer flexible accommodations such as short rental periods and the option to extend stays. What’s more, hostels are often conveniently located. This is very attractive to out-of-town visitors.

Renting an apartment or a room

To sign a rental agreement (as a tenant) or when moving into a hostel or hotel, you will need your passport and the documents of everyone who will be staying with you. The cost depends on the number of tenants and the size of the dwelling. The term and conditions of the tenancy must be agreed with a landlord or landlady (owner of the apartment). When entering into an agreement, check the documents that confirm the landlord’s ownership of the premises.

You have the right to ask your landlord for temporary registration at the address of rented accommodation. Such registration will be unconditionally accepted by any employer, unlike registration in the so-called “rubber apartments”, the addresses of which may often come to the employer’s attention when employing foreigners. There may be several dozen people registered with none of them actually living there. Please remember, that in addition to the rent’s cost you will need to pay a deposit of up to 100% of the rent for one month, which will be returned at the end of the contract term, and pay for the services of your estate agent (realtor) if applicable.

Rent is payable in regular installments (on a certain day of a month) or for the entire period of stay. In rented housing, you must pay monthly utility bills (utilities): electricity, water, heating, garbage disposal, and Internet access. As a rule, paper receipts may be found in the mailbox of the apartment. They can also be electronic, in which case the landlord shows them to you. The range of purchased utilities may vary on a case-by-case basis. If you prefer to search for accommodation on your own, try one of these websites: “Cian” (Циан), “Avito” (Авито), “Ostrovok.ru”, “Kvartirka” (Квартирка), “Sutochno.ru” (Суточно.ру), 101HOTELS.com, or use “Yandex Puteshestviya” (Яндекс Путешествия) service.

Buying an apartment in Russia

If you have decided to buy housing in Russia, please note that buying an apartment or house in Russia does not give a foreigner any privileges or benefits, nor does it reduce taxes. Foreigners are required to pay real estate tax of between 0.3% and 2% of the full price of the purchased housing. If an owner decides to sell the apartment in the future, they will have to pay the RF state a tax of 30% of the profit.

To purchase housing, foreign citizens over the age of 21 from most of the countries can apply for a mortgage in a Russian bank secured by the purchased property. To do so you have to present personal documents: a passport of a foreign citizen, its certified translation into Russian, a migration card with valid period of stay in the Russian Federation (not required for citizens of the Republic of Belarus), a document of permanent or temporary residence permit in the territory of the Russian Federation, a document that confirms the right to stay (reside) in the Russian Federation, as well as a certificate, confirming the length of service at the current place of work for more than 3 months, other information and documents required by your bank.

The purchase of housing does not simplify obtaining a PRP or citizenship permit. A foreigner cannot obtain a permanent residence permit in a purchased apartment, but a temporary one. It is also required to follow the “90/180 rule”.