- Blocked apps: Facebook, Instagram and YouTube have been blocked for years; WhatsApp has been blocked since February 2026; Telegram is unreliable. If needed, install a VPN before arriving, as downloads are harder inside Russia.
- Staying in touch: test your messaging apps before you leave home; share your itinerary with family.
- SIM and eSIM: foreign SIMs and eSIMs may have data restricted for about the first 24 hours; buying a Russian SIM is complicated for tourists. In some regions mobile internet is occasionally cut temporarily; hotel Wi-Fi is usually more reliable.
- Useful apps: Yandex Maps, Yandex Go (taxis), Yandex Translate.
- Registration: staying more than 7 days in one region requires registration; hotels handle it at check-in. Visa-free visitors may be asked to declare their trip in the RuID (Gosuslugi) app about 72 hours before entry.
- Safety: tourist cities such as Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Murmansk are generally safe for visitors. Airports sometimes close for a few hours, causing delays. Don't photograph military or security sites; the Murmansk region has many military areas closed to foreigners.
- Carry your passport at all times and follow your government's travel advice.