Travel Preparation Guide · Connectivity
Power & Connectivity (SIM)
Connectivity may vary by region and season.
Voltage & Plug Types
Electrical standards and outlet shapes
⚡220V / 50Hz
🔌Type C / F(Round 2-pin (European standard))
🔄Needed from Japan/US
💡Standard European outlets. Power reliable in major cities.
Buying a SIM Card
Where to buy, costs, and activation process
📱MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2
🏪Airport carrier shops, carrier stores, metro stations
📋Passport required, registration mandatory
💰SIM from $5-15 for 7-30 days
💡MTS or MegaFon recommended; buy at airport for easiest activation.
eSIM & Mobile Wi-Fi
eSIM availability and portable Wi-Fi rental
📶Limited — International eSIM providers only
🏢Airalo, Ubigi (limited availability)
💰$8-30 for 1-5GB / 7-30 days
💡International eSIM availability varies due to sanctions; verify before travel.
Wi-Fi Availability
Public Wi-Fi coverage and security
📡Good — widely available in major cities
🏨Free in most hotels; fast in Moscow and St. Petersburg
☕Free in metro, cafes, malls, and public areas in major cities
💡Moscow Metro has free WiFi on all lines; registration may be required.
Internet Restrictions & VPN
Blocked services and VPN recommendations
🔒Moderate — increasing censorship
🚫LinkedIn blocked, Instagram restricted, Facebook/Meta throttled, many Western news sites blocked
🛡️Recommended — for access to Western services
💡Install VPN before arrival; restrictions have increased significantly since 2022.
Useful Local Apps
Must-have apps for transport, translation, and maps
🚗Yandex Go (dominant), metro apps
🗺️Yandex Maps (better than Google), 2GIS
💬Telegram (dominant), WhatsApp, VK Messenger
💡Use Yandex ecosystem - Yandex Go for taxis, Yandex Maps for navigation.
International Calls
How to make international calls and alternatives
📞+7 (Russia)
🆘112 (Emergency), 102 (Police), 103 (Ambulance)
📲Dial 8-10 + country code + number for international calls
💡Dial 8 (wait for tone) then 10 + country code from landlines.