Getting around Russia day to day
Russian public transport is one of the good surprises of the stay: dense, punctual and inexpensive, especially on the student fare. You just need the right card and the right habits. This guide covers everything from the airport transfer to travelling between cities.
The first journey, from airport to campus
This is the moment when you are most tired and most exposed. Prepare it before take-off rather than deciding on the spot.
- If an airport pick-up is arranged by your university or your support service, confirm the meeting point and a contact number before you leave
- Never get into a vehicle offered spontaneously in the arrivals hall
- Write your residence address in Cyrillic on your phone and on paper, in case the battery dies
- Have cash for the journey: your local card will not be open yet
The transport card, to sort out in the first week
Every large city has its rechargeable card, and the student fare genuinely changes the monthly budget. You apply through the student office or at a transport counter, on presentation of your student card.
- Ask for the student transport card as soon as your university card is issued
- Top up monthly rather than per journey if you use the network every day
- Keep the card accessible: inspections do happen and the fine costs far more than a pass
The metro, how it works
The Moscow and Saint Petersburg networks are among the most efficient in the world, and the stations are often genuine monuments. Lines are identified by a number and a colour, so you can find your way even without reading Cyrillic.
- In the first days, track your line number and colour rather than station names
- Interchanges carry a different name from the originating station: trust the line signage
- Download an offline network map: mobile coverage is poor in the tunnels
- At rush hour, let a train go rather than forcing your way on
Travelling between cities
The train is the reference mode between large Russian cities: reliable, comfortable and economical compared with flying over medium distances.
- Book online in advance: overnight berths sell out fast during university holidays
- On overnight journeys a berth often costs less than a flight and saves you a hotel night
- Always carry your passport and your migration registration proof when travelling
- Tell your hall of residence if you are away for several days
Frequently asked questions
Is the student discount available to foreigners?
Yes, it is tied to enrolled student status and not to nationality. You obtain it on presentation of your student card, once the university has issued it.
Do I need to read Cyrillic to use the metro?
Not at the start: lines are numbered and colour-coded, and major stations also display names in the Latin alphabet. But learning to decipher Cyrillic is one of the highest-return skills of your first weeks.
Can I drive in Russia on a Tunisian licence?
That depends on the length of stay and the applicable conventions. For a student, the public transport network covers almost every need: a car is rarely necessary and rarely economical.