Russia stretches from Europe to Asia and is one of the biggest countries in the world. There are many historical landmarks and natural beauty to entice a tourist to visit Russia. In this how to visit Russia page, you can learn some basic information about visiting Russia, including a short guide of how to apply for visa to Russia.

The Russian national currency is Russian Rouble. One Rouble consists of 100 Kopeks. Major credit cards are accepted in tourist restaurants and hotels. Bring bank notes in good condition or the foreign exchange bureaus (obmen valyut.) will not accept your money.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/russia/practical-information/money-costs

Russia’s national language is Russian, which is written in Cyrillic alphabets. It is recommended to learn some Russian and Cyrillic alphabets for daily use as well as bringing a dictionary. People usually love to come to Russia in summer and autumn. The country also looks wonderful in winter, but the weather can drop to sub-zero. Avoid coming to Russia at late October or March and April because the snow turns to slush at these times.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/russia/weather

Some parts in Russia are dangerous and should be avoided, especially near the conflict areas. In the cities, be very careful of pickpockets and other crimes. Police officers might not help much. Avoid going out after dark alone. Also, it is better stick to the tourist area.

The biggest hurdle to travel to Russia for a first time visitor is usually the visa application. Below you can find a quick guide to help you understand the visa application process to visit Russia.

First of all, you should apply for a visa as early as possible before your departure. The quicker you want the visa to be processed, the more expensive it is. For example, the price for 2 weeks service for a single entry visa is 70 USD and if you want it to be processed in a single day then the cost soars to 300 USD.http://www.geographia.com/russia/visa.htm

You should also consider choosing whether you want to arrive on a business visa or a tourist visa because the requirements are a bit different. The length of stay granted is also different. The tourist visa only grants you 30 days stay, so if you want to stay for longer, it is better to apply for a business visa.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/russia/practical-information/visas

Before you apply for a visa, you need to ask for invitation from the Russian organization. If you apply for a business visa, ask for invitation from registered Russian organization with your name clearly written as well as the dates and itinerary. If you apply for a tourist visa, you need to submit invitation from your tourist company or hotel. There are usually some fees to ask for the invitation.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/russia/practical-information/visas

The complete documentation you need to apply for a visa are:

• Completed application form
• Copy of passport pages
• Three passport size pictures of the applicant
• The invitation from Russian organization (for business visa), or invitation from hotel or other registered tourist company in Russia.http://www.geographia.com/russia/visa.htm

You can enter Russia by plane, railway, bus, or your own car. If you want to go to Siberia, try the famous Trans-Siberian Railway, which has a route from Europe and from the Asian]part of Russia. You can legally drive in Russia and it is one of the most flexible ways to get around. The fastest and most affordable way to get around Russia is by bus. Buy the ticket an hour before the departure time. If you prefer to ride a train, you need to book for long distance routes at least 24 hours in advance. Bring your passport when you book. If you are deterred by the queues, ask your hotel to book for you with a charge. Taxis do not use meters in Russia, so you should negotiate a fee with the driver. Do not ride a cab when there is already a rider in it.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/russia/transport/getting-aroundhttp://www.geographia.com/russia/rustsp01.htm

As in all countries, Russia offers wide ranges of accommodation from budget hostels to five stars hotels. You can also rent serviced apartments during your stay in Russia. Book your hotel in advance and ask them to send the invitation for your visa application.

Some Russian specialties are Blini, Pelmeni, and Borsch. The most popular Russian food and drink are caviar and vodka. Russian takes their vodka very seriously. Do not ask for a mixer with your Vodka to avoid offending the Russians. Do not drink or brush your teeth with tap water, buy bottled water instead. Avoid ice, raw foods, and vegetables. Tipping is expected, especially at the restaurant. It is a custom to tip between 10% - 15% of your total bill.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/russia/travel-tips-and-articles/42/2547http://www.geographia.com/russia/rustip01.htm

The most popular tourist destinations in Russia are St. Petersburg and Moscow with their cultural and architectural heritage. Moscow is the home for the famous Bolshoi Theater. Moscow also has many museums with stunning collections, and galleries where you can purchase arts with cheaper price than galleries in Western European countries. Russian churches with their ornate and unique constructions are one of the greatest tourist attractions in Russia. Some famous churches are St. Basil Cathedral, Cathedral of Christ the Savior, and St. Isaac Cathedral. Aside from the churches, the most visited site in Moscow is the Red Square (Krasnaia Ploschad).

St. Petersburg, which was the home of the composer Rahmanihoff, is another city with great architect and cultural heritage ever since Tsar Peter founded the city. Some places of interest in St. Petersburg are Palace Square, Winter Palace, Alexander Palace, Anichkov Palace, and Menshikov Palace. Cruising the canals on water buses is a great way to enjoy St. Petersburg.http://www.st-petersburg.world-guides.com/

Russia’s Trans Siberian Railway is a journey that you should not miss. Aside from seeing the magnificent scenery along the way, you can also arrange for stopovers in some places to explore Russia’s countryside. Most popular stopovers along this railway are Yaroslavl, Ekateriburg, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Ulan Ude, Khabarovsk, and Vladivostok.http://www.geographia.com/russia/trasib01.htm