Ideas of cost
For the prices I quote my rough exchange rate is: 1 pound sterling = 50 roubles.
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Russia is cheaper than home, especially food, drink, transport and accommodation. But in Moscow you can find yourself paying a lot more in the city centre, particularly in restaurants and bars.
To save money always check the menu first. Obviously with no Russian this is a problem but learn to recognise one or two items, for example a soup and a beer, and compare their prices everywhere you look. A 0.5L of Baltika beer can range from a dirt cheap 30 roubles to 200 roubles in Moscow.
Try and shop at markets as much as possible. This is where most Russians buy most things because it’s much cheaper and you can try a bit of bargaining. In Moscow try Tuschinskaya or Bagratianovskaya markets, or Izmailovsky if looking for souvenirs.
Accommodation will be your biggest cost in the cities: hostels start at around 500 roubles so bring an IYA card.
Foreigners get charged more for tourist attractions. Bring an ISIC student card and you will be entitled to reductions. The Hermitage Gallery is free for all students. Instead of going to the Bolshoy Theatre at night where you can pay 1000 roubles a ticket, go see a matinee instead for half the price and the best seats in the house.
Here is a rough daily budget based on Moscow:
Accommodation: 500 roubles
Food: 400 roubles
Drink: 150 roubles
Transport: 50 roubles
Touristy stuff: 400 roubles
If on a big money-saving mission a good place to go is the park, particularly if in Moscow. Plus it is a very Russian thing to do: they love nothing more than a good long walk. Recommended parks: Fili, Sokol, Gorky (check the metro map).
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