Hi MargaretThank you for your messageThis is a bit of a confusing one but here we go ….CurrencyAll prices are generally quoted in rubles. Currency can be freely converted at banks, hotels or kiosks. Traveller's cheques are hard to cash. Credit cards are accepted in most places that work with foreign tourists. Some may turn down American Express. Visa and MasterCard are known, hence - more widely honored. ATM machines are widely available in major cities, but note: they do not have letters on the key pad, so if your PIN includes letters, do remember them as digits!Cash.Is used much more often than the cards, and if you're outside of the big cities, take cash only because it will be hard to cash the cards or cheques. It's better if the cash is in US dollars or Euros, because that's the currency you'll be able to change everywhere in Russia. Travellers' ChequesProbably the most secure way of keeping your money: you are the only one who can cash the cheques and if lost they can be reissued - just write down the numbers beforehand and keep them separate from the cheques. The problem is that in Russia you can refund them only in banks, which are opened only from 9 until 5. The banks charge commission for refunding the cheques (about 2-3%) and for buying the cheques - usually 1%.The most widely accepted cheques in Russia are American Express and more rare - Thomas Cook.Note:Never change money on the street, because you might get defrauded. "Exchange office" in Russian language sounds "ob`men va`lyuty". Exchange offices at the airports and railway stations offer slightly lower exchange rate.I think its safe to say that if you take either US Dollars or Euros and your cards you will be OK .Hope this helps, have a great time in RussiaCheryl, your editor
