Is it safe to be an American or British tourist in Russia at present?

Question

Is it safe to be an American or British tourist in Russia at present?

Answer 1

Of courtse yes



I do not know where you read about this "problem".

Friendly attitude towards the guests we have not changed. ;).

Answer 2

I was just there as a cruise ship visitor and they were very strict about the requirements to enter the country from the boat (Copy of your passport, a special slip to prove they know your there) but once touring in the country I didn't feel scared at all although I was on guided tours. It was a very cool place to visit.

Answer 3

Squid (first guy to answer), typical knee jerk anti-American comment. Get a life. Can any nation do wrong OTHER than the big bad evil USA? To answer your question, Russia, like every other country, greatly depends on tourism. Some people appreciate this and will welcome you with open arms (I reccommend small "ma and pop" places who will definitely apprecaite your business rather than the chains staffed with angry tourist workers), others are resistant and will thumb their noses at you and will not help you in anyway. I find Russians to be more warm than western Europeans and Canadian, to be quite frank. Germans can be the most hostile, but I've also met amazingly warm and helpful Germans. You'll never know what you'll get. That's one of the "fun" things about foreign travel!

Answer 4

Of courtse it is. Russia has made no threats or hostile action against the US or UK, so theres no reason to worry. Its only the US and UK being aggressive at the moment.

Answer 5

I'm British and currently live in Moscow.  You will find that the people here are amazing friendly.  A few days ago I was trying to find an office outside the centre.  I was clearly lost because I was looking at a map.  A Russian woman came up to me and asked what I was looking for.  When I said I didn't speak Russian well she switched to English.  They're very welcoming.

Obviously it is a big city and like any big city it has crime.  I have lived here for 6 months and have only been a victim of crime once.  So take normal precautions.

One word of warning is to avoid the police.  They are very badly paid and supplement their incomes by trying to get bribes.  If you are in real trouble obviously you need to find a police officer but generally avoid them when you are not in a busy public place, don't ever open your door to them and try not to let them hear you speaking English.  The only trouble I have ever had was when the police came into my home and threatened to arrest me unless I paid them 3000 roubles (£60).  I paid of course.

Answer 6

LOL at above "its only UK and USA being hostile" so who invaded Georgia then?

But yeah Russia loves tourists