Visa and Mastercard Don't Work in Russia — What Travelers Need to Know (2025)
If you're planning to visit Russia in 2025, here is the single most important thing you need to understand:
Your Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards will not work. Anywhere. At all.
Not at hotels. Not at restaurants. Not at train stations. Not at ATMs. Not online. This is not a glitch — it's a complete suspension of service that has been in effect since March 2022, with no signs of reversal.
This guide explains the full situation, your actual payment options, and exactly how to prepare so you don't arrive in Moscow with nothing but a useless piece of plastic.
What Happened
In March 2022, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express suspended all operations in Russia in response to international sanctions. This means:
- Cards issued outside Russia cannot be used at any Russian point-of-sale terminal
- Russian-issued cards with Visa/MC branding still work domestically (they're processed through Russia's NSPK/Mir network), but this doesn't help tourists
- Apple Pay and Google Pay do not function with international cards
- Online payments to Russian websites from international cards are blocked
- ATM withdrawals with international Visa/MC cards are impossible at Russian ATMs
This is not a temporary disruption. As of February 2025, there is no timeline for restoring international card services in Russia.
How to Pay in Russia as a Tourist
Option 1: Cash (Your Primary Method)
Cash is king in Russia for foreign visitors. You need to bring physical currency and exchange it for Russian rubles (₽/RUB).
Which currency to bring:
| Currency | Acceptance | Best For | |----------|-----------|---------| | US Dollars (USD) | Widely accepted for exchange | Best rates, most exchange offices handle USD | | Euros (EUR) | Widely accepted | Good alternative, similar rates | | Chinese Yuan (CNY) | Increasingly accepted | Growing option, especially in Moscow/St. Petersburg | | British Pounds (GBP) | Limited availability | Fewer exchange offices handle GBP |
How much to bring:
| Travel Style | Daily Budget (USD equivalent) | For 7 Days | |-------------|-------------------------------|-----------| | Budget | $40–60/day | $300–420 | | Mid-range | $80–120/day | $560–840 | | Comfortable | $150–250/day | $1,050–1,750 |
Bring 20% more than you think you'll need. There's no ATM backup if you run out.
Option 2: UnionPay Cards
UnionPay (银联) is a Chinese payment network that continues to operate in Russia. If your bank offers UnionPay cards, this is your best non-cash option.
Check before you go:
- Some banks in Asia, the Middle East, and select European countries issue UnionPay cards
- Not all Russian terminals accept UnionPay — it works at maybe 60–70% of locations
- UnionPay ATM withdrawals work at Sberbank and some Gazprombank ATMs
Important: UnionPay acceptance has been inconsistent. Do NOT rely on it as your only payment method. Always carry cash as backup.
Option 3: Mir Cards (Very Limited for Tourists)
Mir is Russia's domestic payment system. It works at virtually every terminal in Russia. However:
- Foreign tourists generally cannot obtain a Mir card without a Russian bank account
- Opening a Russian bank account requires residency documents
- Some Turkish and select Central Asian banks issue Mir cards, but availability varies
Unless you have a specific connection to a bank that issues Mir, this option is not practical for most tourists.
Option 4: Cryptocurrency (Niche)
Some businesses in Moscow and St. Petersburg accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, but this is:
- Very rare (a few hundred merchants at most)
- Legally grey — Russia's stance on crypto payments changes frequently
- Not reliable enough to depend on
Where to Exchange Currency
Banks (Best Rates)
The safest and cheapest option. Russian banks offer competitive exchange rates with minimal commission.
- Sberbank (Сбербанк) — Russia's largest bank, branches everywhere
- Tinkoff — modern bank, some physical locations
- Alfa-Bank (Альфа-Банк) — good rates, major city presence
What you need: Your passport. Russian law requires passport identification for all currency exchange transactions.
Hours: Most bank branches are open Monday–Friday, 9:00–18:00. Some Sberbank locations have Saturday hours.
Licensed Exchange Offices (Обмен Валюты)
Found in city centers, shopping areas, and near tourist attractions.
What to watch for:
- "No commission" signs — check the rate carefully, commission is often hidden in the exchange rate
- Screen rates vs. actual rates — the rate displayed outside may differ from what they offer inside. Always ask before handing over money
- Count your rubles before leaving the window
- Keep your receipt — required if you want to exchange rubles back before departure
Airport Exchange (Worst Rates)
Airport exchange offices in Sheremetyevo (SVO), Domodedovo (DME), and Pulkovo (LED) have the worst rates — typically 10–15% below market rate.
Strategy: Exchange only ₽3,000–5,000 at the airport for immediate taxi/transport needs. Exchange the rest at a bank in the city.
Hotels
Most hotels will exchange currency at the front desk. Rates are mediocre (5–8% markup) but convenient if you need rubles quickly outside banking hours.
Safety: Carrying Large Amounts of Cash
Since you'll be carrying more cash than usual, take precautions:
Split Your Money
Never keep all your cash in one place. Recommended split:
- Wallet: ₽5,000–10,000 for daily spending
- Hotel safe: Main reserve (exchange as needed)
- Hidden body pouch: Emergency reserve of $200 USD (under clothing)
- Second location in luggage: Backup ₽5,000
Street Safety
- Don't count large bills in public
- Don't flash thick stacks of cash when paying
- Be aware of surroundings when leaving exchange offices
- Use well-lit ATM areas if using UnionPay for withdrawals
Never Use Unofficial Exchangers
People on the street may offer "better rates." This is almost always a scam involving:
- Counterfeit rubles
- Sleight-of-hand short-changing
- Theft (grab and run)
Always use banks or licensed exchange offices with a visible "Обмен Валюты" (Currency Exchange) sign and official license displayed.
Customs Declaration
If you're bringing more than $10,000 USD equivalent in cash into Russia, you must declare it at customs. This applies to the total across all currencies.
- Fill out a customs declaration form (available at the border/airport)
- Keep the stamped copy — you'll need it when leaving Russia
- Failure to declare can result in confiscation
Emergency Russian Phrases
| Situation | Russian | Pronunciation | English | |-----------|---------|---------------|---------| | Exchange office? | Где обменный пункт? | Gde obmennyy punkt? | Where is the exchange office? | | Accept dollars? | Принимаете доллары? | Prinimaete dollary? | Do you accept dollars? | | How much in rubles? | Сколько в рублях? | Skol'ko v rublyakh? | How much in rubles? | | Receipt please | Чек, пожалуйста | Chek, pozhaluysta | Receipt, please | | Where is Sberbank? | Где Сбербанк? | Gde Sberbank? | Where is Sberbank? | | Help | Помогите | Pomogite | Help |
Pre-Departure Checklist
Before leaving for Russia:
- [ ] Exchange $200–500 into rubles at home (or plan to exchange at first opportunity in Russia)
- [ ] Bring remaining budget in USD or EUR cash, in clean, undamaged bills (Russian exchangers reject torn or heavily marked bills)
- [ ] Check if your bank offers UnionPay cards — apply 2–3 weeks before departure
- [ ] Photocopy your passport — needed for exchange offices
- [ ] Download offline maps (Google Maps works in Russia, but download the area for offline use)
- [ ] Book and prepay hotels/flights where possible — reduces cash you need to carry
- [ ] Research your daily budget — calculate total cash needed + 20% buffer
- [ ] Get a money belt or hidden pouch for cash security
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Visa/Mastercard start working in Russia again soon?
As of February 2025, there is no indication of any timeline for restoration. Plan for a fully cash-based trip.
Can I use my card at international hotel chains?
No. Even Marriott, Hilton, and other international chains in Russia cannot process international cards. Some allow you to prepay online via their international booking site, but all on-site charges require cash or Mir/UnionPay.
What about Apple Pay / Google Pay?
They do not work with international cards in Russia. If you have a Mir card loaded into a Russian-configured Apple Pay, that works — but this doesn't apply to most tourists.
Can I wire money to myself?
SWIFT transfers to Russian banks are heavily restricted. Some banks (like Raiffeisen Bank Russia or Gazprombank) still process limited SWIFT transfers, but this is unreliable and slow. Not recommended as a primary strategy.
What if I run out of cash?
This is the scenario you must avoid. If it happens:
- Ask your hotel for help — some can arrange emergency cash advances
- Contact your country's embassy or consulate
- Use Western Union (limited service, some locations still operational)
- Have someone from home use a remittance service to send cash to a local pickup point
The Bottom Line
Traveling to Russia in 2025 requires more cash planning than almost any other country a Western tourist might visit. The international card infrastructure that you rely on everywhere else simply does not exist here.
The good news: once you accept this reality and prepare accordingly, Russia is perfectly navigable. Cash works everywhere, exchange offices are plentiful, and prices are reasonable by European standards.
The key is preparation. Run our Russia Risk Scanner before your trip to identify your specific vulnerability points, or start with the Russia Setup Kit for a complete pre-departure checklist.
Last updated: February 2025. Sanctions status and payment options are monitored monthly.