Practical guides

    Visas, flights, trains, bank cards, SIM and relocation — the paperwork side, with current numbers.

    Sub-sections

    🛂Guide

    Russian Visa Guide 2026: E-visa, Tourist, Work, HQS and Residence

    Every Russian visa in 2026 explained: e-visa, tourist, private, business, work, HQS, study, 'shared values' visa, RVP, VNZh, citizenship. Real costs, real ti…

    🏠Guide

    Living in Russia in 2026: The Complete Honest Guide

    Visas, money, rent, internet, VPN, healthcare, language: a no-bullshit 2026 guide to actually living in Russia, written by a Russian who comes and goes betwe…

    💰Guide

    Cost of Living in Russia 2026: Real Numbers from Moscow to the Regions

    Real 2026 prices: rent, groceries, restaurants, metro, taxi, utilities, gym and three full monthly budgets — Moscow, St. Petersburg, and a typical region.

    💳Guide

    Mir Card & Money in Russia 2026: Bank Accounts, SBP, SWIFT, Crypto

    The complete 2026 guide for foreigners: opening a Russian bank account, getting an INN, Mir card abroad, SBP instant transfers, what's left of SWIFT, and usi…

    🗺️Guide

    Moscow Travel Guide 2026: 7-Day Itinerary, Real Tips

    How to actually visit Moscow in 2026: e-visa, eSIM, cash without Visa, the metro, where to stay, what to eat, and a 7-day itinerary that skips the tourist tr…

    🏛️Long read

    Moscow, unfiltered

    Photos and notes from the city as it looks on a normal day, not on a postcard.

    🗣️Tool

    Say it in Russian

    Real phrases people actually use, with pronunciation you can copy out loud.

    🔤Tool

    Russian alphabet

    All 33 letters with sound, look-alike traps and what each one really sounds like.

    🔁Tool

    Transliterator

    Turn any Latin text into Cyrillic and back, instantly.

    ⌨️Tool

    Cyrillic keyboard

    Type Russian without installing anything, then copy the result.

    🪪Tool

    Your name in Russian

    How your name is written and said in Russian, including the friendly short form.

    🎯Tool

    Which Russian city fits you?

    Eight questions, one city, and a reason for each answer.

    Start here

    Three good entry points into the rest of the site.