Purchase Russian Rubles in USA

Question

Have tried all major banks in Florida. Currency exchange booth at TPA airport does not deal with Rubles, also tried online currency exchange sites and received same answer.

Answer 1

If you are getting ready for a trip to Russia, then there's no need to be too worried about it. There are ATMs in Russian airports, so you can withdraw money in rubles from your card. There are exchange booths in any Russian airport. There are banks. It's a normal country, and both capitals are very western cities, much more western than Tampa. So no need to buy rubles in advance :)

Answer 2

If you are going to Russia you don't have to exchange dollars for rubles in advance. There will be no trouble exchanging your dollars on the spot.

Answer 3

I agree with Alex B unless you are arriving very late or very early. The exchange offices at the airports will often be closed in these instances.  There are at times machines in airports that will exchange currency for you if the offices are closed.  Advice, Russian banks do not like old bills.  Make sure you bring only new crispy bills and preferably on $50's and $100's.  They will either not accept bills that are not new or have ink on them or they will give you a terrible exchange rate.

Another option is to visit an ATM machine.  You can withdraw rubles at all hours, but make sure you call your bank in advance so that they don't put a hold on your card.  Sometimes they'll do this if they see out of the ordinary transactions, like cash withdraw from a Russian ATM.  Most ATM will offer multiple languages right away.  If you are not offered English, simply press cancel (red x) and your card will come back.  Then go to another ATM.

As for banks in the US that exchange.  Even if banks don't make a habit of exchanging currencies you can usually make a request to the bank and the will acquire that currency for you.  So when calling the bank first ask if they can exchange rubles for dollars.  If they say no, then ask if they can order some or refer you to a bank that can.  In my hometown a very small local bank is actually the bank that does all the currency exchanges.  So although logically to go to a big bank, it may not be the answer.

Good Luck