What is the best time to come?

It is a hard question, because every season is special. From May till August it’s always good weather, July and August are the warmest months. If you like winters, you will enjoy Ekaterinburg cover with snow. In that case the best time for you to come is middle of November — end of March.

What is the best way to come to Ekaterinburg?

Avoid Moscow if coming to Ekaterinburg. The Sheremetyevo International Airport gives a bad first impression of Russia, with surly attendants, rip-off taxi drivers and unfriendly “Soviet-era” atmosphere. Domodedovo International Airport is better and if you have free time to explore Moscow has a good train and metro connection. However, there are direct flights to Ekaterinburg from Frankfurt, Istanbul, Helsinki, Prague, Vienna, and other international points.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, it is a way to get a high-quality medical assistance in case of emergency.

What is the time difference?

Moscow and Saint-Petersburg +2 hours, GMT +5 hours. If it is 12:00 pm Tuesday in Ekaterinburg, then it would be 02:00 am on Tuesday in Eastern time, 01:00 am on Tuesday in central time, etc.

What is the international phone code?

For international call you should dial +7 343 and then the seven-place local number.

What is the currency?

The national monetary unit is the Russian ruble. One ruble is made up of 100 kopecks. At the present time, coins denominating 1,5,10 and 50 kopecks, as well as 1,2 and 5 rubles are in circulation, in addition to paper banknotes denominating 5 and 10, 50 and100, 500, 1000 and 5000 rubles. You may also use credit (debit) cards: VISA, Master card, Euro card, American Express, Maestro.

Will restaurants/ stores take the American dollars?

If the store does take dollars, be prepared to loose a lot on the exchange rate. If one wants another option, he/she can use a credit/debit card then the exchange should be automatically controlled.

What do I do with the paper they give me on the airplane before landing in Russia?

Two things: (1) Fill it out, and (2) do not loose it! You will need that to get into and out of the Russian Federation.

Where may I get information about visa?

Ekaterinburg has a number of consulates of major countries. If you need a visa application and then attend interview, this can easily take half-week off the traveling time to get to the interview.

What procedures will I have to go through once I arrive in Ekaterinburg?

If you are planning to stay at a hotel, then the hotel will register you once you check in. But if you are staying with a Russian, or in your own home (rented or bought), you will have three days to register. You will need a Russian with you. A foreigner cannot register himself into the Russian Federation. To get more information about registration procedure please turn to the consulate or registration office:

Visa and registration office (Federal Migration Service of Sverdlovsk region)
Ekaterinburg, Krylova ul., 2
Phone: +7 (343) 358 71 45
Fax: +7 (343) 216 85 85
Working hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 09:00-12:00, 14:00-16:00
Web: http://ufms-ural.ru

What is the weather like in Ekaterinburg?

Due to the city's location — city is situated near mountains - the weather is rather different from season to season. Average winter period is 5 month. Winters usually are not so cold, but sometimes temperature may fall to minus 30 degrees, but rarely less than minus 25 degrees. The summer is rather short. It lasts for 3-4 months with an average temperature of 23-25 degrees. Sometimes at night a traveler may want a light coat, but nothing more. But, one has to always be prepared the weather to change at any moment.

What to wear?

Buildings and houses in Russia are heavily overheated in the winter time so don’t overdress. Wear an insulating outer layer with lighter inner layers. Silk long underwear is good for outdoor cold and is light indoors. Pack easy to remove shoes or boots when visiting houses where it’s the custom to remove outside footwear.

Fall and spring are mud seasons in Yekaterinburg. Carry a brush or cloth to remove mud and dirt from shoes and boots. In the winter, icy streets can also be treacherous. If you are worried about slipping on the ice, purchase slip on ice-cleats such as Yak Trax.

Summer can be very warm, but men in general don’t wear shorts (though younger men are beginning to adopt this trend). Women can strip down to revealing levels of “deshabille”.

Where to go?

Ekaterinburg may offer you a wide range of activities — from sport clubs and city tours to theatres and museums. Ekaterinburg has plenty of cross-country skiing and some downhill skiing resorts as well. Numerous cafés and restaurants provide all kinds of cuisine. Don't forget to drop into a Russian restaurant and have traditional Russian meals. English, Scottish and Irish pubs are very popular among foreigners. There are also a number of friendly bars and nightclubs in the city.

Can I find parts for my laptop/computer?

There are many electronic stores from which one could buy parts to their modern computer, and numerous other smaller stores that can provide what is needed.

Are there special regulations when visiting the Russian Orthodox Churches?

The Russian Orthodox monarchs have made the decree, binding a controversial passage from the New Testament book 1 Corinthians which discusses head coverings, that all women must wear head coverings. But this is only in their cathedrals and their monasteries.

Is Internet available in Ekaterinburg?

There are internet cafes throughout the entirety of the city. Also one can easily install broad-band or dial-up internet directly into one’s apartment or hotel room.

If I have an American cell-phone, can I just change the SIM card and use it?

In most cases, no. Most American cell phones are built differently and are not compatible with the Russian mobiles. But, international phones and blueberries seem to work perfectly fine if one has the correct phone package.

Can I use my debit/credit cards in the ATM machines?

Yes you can, but you will not always have the ability to get out American dollars. The only choice that you may have is the amount of rubles you want.

What to buy in Ekaterinburg?

Sverdlovsk region is world-famous for its ornamental, precious and semiprecious stones. So you may buy souvenirs made of granite, malachite, jasper, marble and other precious stones of the Urals. Tourists also like to get souvenirs, photo albums and books about Romanov family and history of Ekaterinburg. You may have a souvenir tabletop plaque, delicate wood workings and a collection of souvenir plates or magnets from every place you visited.