Is Moscow Safe for Tourists? 5 Essential Safety Rules for Visiting Russia

Answer now: Moscow is safe for tourists when you follow five concrete safety rules. This practical guide helps you navigate crowds, plan routes, and enjoy iconic sights with confidence. Over 5 million visitors travel to Moscow each year, and most report smooth experiences when they keep valuables secure, use licensed transport, and follow local guidance.

Travelers arriving from delhi will notice a different metro etiquette and security checks compared to home country norms.

Rule 1 – Protect belongings: Pickpockets operate in crowded metro stations and tourist sites; they are likely to target bags near entrances. Simply keep your wallet in a zipped front pocket, use a crossbody bag with a tight zipper, and check a bag’s opening before you move through doors or turnstiles. If a pocket is opened, step away from the crowd and reassess the situation. Do not hang bags on chair backs.

Rule 2 – Use licensed transport: Always choose a driver from an official app or a licensed taxi service. Confirm the plate number, model, and driver name before you sit down; if you arrive late, exit from the right side to avoid blocking doors in the vehicle.

Rule 3 – Manage money at exchanges: Use banks or official currency exchange offices. Carry small notes and set a daily budget; ignore street offers to exchange money. Always keep receipts separate from home items and avoid carrying large sums in one place.

Rule 4 – Be mindful at venues and with police guidance: Follow posted signs and security staff at museums, stations, and cinemas; in case of a problem, contact police via the official emergency number or ask hotel staff for help. Refuse unsolicited help from strangers in sensitive areas.

Rule 5 – Prepare with a detailed safety plan: Before you travel, download our Safety Pack for a city-specific checklist, a suggested route between major sites, and a vetted list of trusted drivers. It helps save time, reduces risk, and makes your trip smoother. Use both metro and licensed taxis to cover distances over central Moscow efficiently, and keep bag contents secure with a small lock on openings.

Want more reassurance? Our service provides a 24/7 chat with a local guide, real-time updates on crowds or closures, and a personalized driver contact for specific routes. Just tap to get started and experience a safer visit at home or abroad.

Is Moscow Safe for Tourists? 5 Key Safety Rules for Visiting Russia – When Ordering Wine

1. Rule 1: Pick a reputable wine bar or restaurant. In this country, visible licensing, English-speaking staff, and clear pricing matter. Before pouring, translate the label if needed and agree on the bottle’s origin; the price appears on the menu or screen, and staff confirm it. High-tech payment means reduce surprises, and this approach delivers a better start. Some travelers compare Moscow to london in wine culture, but the core rule stays: choose trusted venues. These five tips help you order wine confidently.

2. Rule 2: Inspect the bottle and pour. Check the cork and seal, the fill level, and whether the bottle was opened; watch the glass as it fills and note the color and aroma. If anything looks off, request a fresh bottle or a different label and keep a little distance from a rushed server.

3. Rule 3: Agree on the price before pouring and scan the receipt. Ensure the total and itemized charges match what you ordered; cheaper options can entice, but monitor the means of payment and any added fees. If a charge seems off, disagree politely and ask for a detailed breakdown.

4. Rule 4: Plan safe transport after wine. Use Uber or licensed taxis from official stands, especially late at night. Stay in an area with clear street lighting and guard presence; travel with a friend when possible, and keep valuables close to you while walking to a stand or hotel.

5. Rule 5: Handle pressure from strangers calmly. If a stranger picks a bottle or offers a deal, invite a staff member or a friend to verify; didnt receive clear answers? move to another area and dont feel obligated to agree. Translate unfamiliar terms on the menu, invite clarification, and remember theres no rush to buy another bottle. If something feels off, end the visit and report it to staff.

Five Key Safety Rules for Moscow Tourists

Before you leave the hotel, secure valuables: keep keys and a copy of your passport in a zipped inner pocket while you move between sites and shops, and ask the clerk at reception to place valuables in a safe; avoid flashing electronics in crowds.

Choose official taxis or licensed ride services, and always confirm the car plate and driver ID before you get in; tell the driver your stay address clearly, and if the route seems vague, request a quick map instead. This will minimize surprises.

Limit cash exposure; keep most money in a secure wallet and pay by card where possible; in crowded markets, watch out for pickpockets and fake change; ask a trusted clerk in shops to verify prices and to recognize suspicious notes; take photos of receipts and IDs when needed. If you hire a guide, choose a talented, licensed professional.

Stay with your group after dark in well-lit streets; show respect to locals, as respectful travelers are loved guests who receive help more readily; avoid accepting drinks from strangers, and keep an eye on your companions and belongings; if crowds overwhelm themselves, move to a safer area and locate a clerk or security officer.

Keep a simple emergency plan: save local police and embassy numbers, print a full list of contacts and your hotel room address, and receive urgent updates from official sites; post these details in your stay and keep a note for home; if you have encountered trouble, tell the clerk and follow the system’s guidance, noting that not everything is guaranteed when the server is busy.

Protect belongings in crowded places (metro, attractions, markets)

Carry a compact crossbody bag worn in front, with a zipper that closes fully and a strap snug against your torso. Keep nothing loose in pockets, and place essential items in the main compartment near your body.

heres a quick checklist for arriving crowds on platforms: check that your pockets are clear, your passport and visas stay in a secure inner pocket or money belt, and your gear is anchored before you move.

On a stop and when you alight, hold the strap right under your elbow and turn gradually to avoid collisions; keep your bag in sight and your feet on the floor, ready to react if someone brushes by.

Three practical rules in crowded spots: stay with your group, limit what you carry, and avoid placing drinks near your bag; if a distraction arises, move away rather than confronting it.

In markets and attractions, keep the bag in front, and avoid back pockets or oversized outer sacks; when you pause, being mindful, check that nothing has shifted and that the zipper is closed before you continue.

Notes for travelers: cheap keepsakes tempt overpacking; stripping to a minimal set reduces risk, and at least one item should stay with you at all times. A moment of attention matters. Carry a copy of important docs and keep originals in a safe location.

heres a brief perspective from fellow tourists: berlin and other cities teach the same habit–they really help when you keep yourself aware, stay with your group, and keep your gear together.

Choose safe transport: pre-book taxis or use official apps

Book ahead with official taxi apps or at your hotel desk to guarantee a licensed car, a registered plate, and a transparent charge before you sit down. Use the app to compare options; several providers show driver details, car model, and ETA, so you know when your ride will arrive. Verify the ride by matching the driver’s photo and the car exterior in the app, and, if possible, take a quick photo of the plate with your camera. For airport arrivals, head to the official desk or request a ride through the app; avoid street-hopped options that can be distracting or unsafe. Paying with Visa or a trusted app wallet gives you a clear charged fare and a receipt you can keep in your travel room notes. If something feels wrong, contact hotel staff or the police for guidance and keep distance from strangers until you’re sure the ride is legit. If price offers seem too good to be true, theyve used tricks to push you toward a fake ride. Choose the least risky option by preferring verified providers.

Five practical steps keep you safer: pre-book with an official app or the hotel desk; verify the driver name, car model, and plate; confirm the charge upfront and monitor the ride; wait in a public, well-lit area; and keep the receipt and plate number in your travel records. During the ride, avoid distracting conversations that pull attention away from the road; ladies, keep valuables in your lap and stay aware of the surroundings. If you realize the route is off or the driver asks you to pay extra, ask for a safe stop and switch to another service. If you’ve taken a ride that seems off, exit in a safe place and report the incident to hotel staff or the police. Take a quick photo of the route or car for your trip notes, and carry the number of the ride in your visa-linked app for quick access. At the airport and in busy areas, rely on official desks or apps rather than calling out to strangers near a club.

Secure documents and money: carry copies and use a secure wallet

Always keep two copies of your passport and confirmations–one digital in a secure wallet and one physical in a hotel safe. Carry only what you need for the day, and store originals securely when not outside. Separate cash across locations to limit loss if a pickpocket acts; this theft-prevention mindset reduces risk even if one item is taken.

In crowded spaces, signs of distraction or alarm can signal a pickpocket. Stand near a companion or a verified group of local guides, and follow the flow of people. Avoid flashing large sums; keep cash in different compartments and use a theft-prevention wallet for cards and IDs. A quick game of situational awareness helps you stay prepared.

Use a secure wallet or money belt under clothes; distribute weight so no single pocket becomes valuable bait. For the last-minute purchases, carry only a small amount of local currency and rely on a card for larger costs. This simple setup keeps your essentials accessible without showing your whole balance.

When interacting with russian guides or staff, follow directions and maintain a concise conversation to verify legitimacy. Anyone coming to Moscow should be ready for polite verification and keep passport details and confirmations ready, presenting only what is needed. If coming to a new city, ETIAS rules may apply to future Schengen trips, not Russia, but be prepared to explain your itinerary when asked.

Maintain legal readiness by carrying confirmations of hotel, tour, and transportation bookings. If authorities request documents, stay calm, answer clearly, and follow official instructions. Made procedures and clear records make it easier to navigate any check or inquiry.

If something is lost or stolen, report to police and obtain a receipt. Contact your local guides, hotel staff, or consular services for support; keep copies of reports in your secure wallet and digital notes. Coming back to your hotel, review what you carried and adjust your setup; avoid repeating the same mistake next time, and tighten any screw in your routine to prevent repeats.

Understand local etiquette and laws to avoid scams and misunderstandings

Get a fixed taxi price at the airport or use a reputable ride-hailing app to minimize risk with a cabbie. On arrival, head to the official desk in the arrivals hall; if a stranger offers help with your bags, walk on and seek staff assistance. Coming to Moscow with a plan makes the first steps smoother, and you’ll feel confident from the start. This approach works in any country you travel to. If a price or offer seems suspicious, trust your instincts and head to the official desks.

Currency matters: Local transactions use rubles. Some vendors display euros or kuna signs to confuse. Request a price in rubles or a printed receipt showing the local total, and confirm the rate before paying. If a price appears higher than expected, walk away and compare with another option. Once you get the hang of it, the process becomes easier and you’ll avoid paying more than you should–perfect for your budget.

Interacting with people: As a passenger in public spaces, keep responses brief and share only essential information. Avoid giving out room numbers or full travel plans. Follow official signs and staff directions in airports, trains, and subways. If a person asks for directions or for you to share photos, ask for consent first and respond clearly–yes or no–and keep your belongings and wrist secure while you participate. Some locals were helpful, yet you should stay aware of suspicious behavior and keep a safe distance from any offers that seem too good to be true.

Photography etiquette: Always ask before photographing someone, especially during ceremony or at religious sites. Respect local rules about photography near security zones, and avoid flashing cameras in crowded areas. If a local asks you to stop, comply promptly to stay respectful and avoid misunderstandings elsewhere in the city. Use your camera discreetly and keep your phone or camera ready for easy shots without drawing attention.

Public transport and movement: In subways and trains, stand on the right side of escalators and let others pass; hold your bag in front of you to prevent snatch attempts, and keep valuables close. In airports, use official transit options or hotel shuttles recommended by reception; this makes the journey much easier. There were reports of petty scams near tourist areas, so stay vigilant when a stranger asks for help or to share personal details.

Hotels and transfers: Use hotel-arranged transfers or trusted taxi desks. If a price is quoted in euros or other currencies, request rubles or a clear local quote. Beware offers requiring upfront cash or unverified payment links; verify the booking number and cancellation policy with the hotel to minimize risk. Ask hotel staff for recommendations if you’re unsure, and you’ll find reliable options more often.