Russia, the world’s largest country, spans vast landscapes, iconic architecture, and centuries of rich cultural history. Whether you’re touring the Red Square in Moscow, visiting the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, or exploring the natural wonders of Siberia, managing your money effectively is important. Cards are widely accepted in urban centers and tourist hotspots, but cash is still commonly used in rural areas, small shops, and for public transport. This guide covers essential details on cash and ATMs in Russia, including withdrawal fees, transaction limits, exchange rates, and card usage, ensuring a smooth and well-prepared travel experience.
Where to find ATMs in Russia?
Major cities like Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, and Novosibirsk have a dense network of ATMs. Machines are located at metro stations, supermarkets, hotels, university campuses, and nearly every street corner in commercial districts. Prominent banks include Sberbank, VTB, Gazprombank, and Alfa-Bank. These ATMs dispense Russian rubles (RUB) and generally support international cards (Visa/Mastercard), though some foreign cards may be declined due to sanctions – check your card provider’s current status before travel.
Tourist Spots:
Popular sites like Red Square, Hermitage Museum, Peterhof, and Lake Baikal regions have ATMs nearby, especially near ticket counters, train stations, and tourist hotels. ATMs at airports and high-end hotels may offer English-language interfaces, but many machines in mid-tier areas default to Russian only.
Rural Areas / Small Towns:
In villages and less-developed towns, ATM availability is far more limited, and service reliability may vary. Even when machines are present, they may not accept international cards. Carry enough rubles if traveling into rural Siberia, the Caucasus, or remote republics such as Tuva or Dagestan.
Best ATMs to use in Russia for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Russia are those owned by popular banks such as:
- Sberbank,
- VTB Bank,
- Gazprombank,
- Alfa-bank
- Rosselkhoz,
- PostBank,
- Ural bank, and
- Tinkoff.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Russia, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in RUB).
– If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
– If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in RUB’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Russia?
Not always. ATMs usually do not accept foreign Visa, Mastercards, Diners, American Express and Discover cards. However, they do accept ChinaUnionPay (CUP) and Rupay cards.
What are the ATM opening hours?
ATMs in major cities like Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kazan are widely available and typically operate 24/7. Machines inside buildings or metro stations may have restricted access based on venue hours.
What are ATMs called in Russia?
Locally, they are called “Банкомат” (Bankomat). However, signage may not include both “ATM” and “Bankomat”.
Language options at ATMs
ATMs commonly offer Russian by default, but most in large cities also support English and sometimes Chinese.
Don’t know the language? Use the Google Translate camera function to get a rough translation of the ATM screen.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Russia?
ATMs in Russia dispense only Russian rubles (RUB). With international sanctions affecting Visa and Mastercard, many machines now also exclusively support domestic cards like Mir. Foreign currencies like USD or EUR are not available via ATM cash withdrawal.
ATM withdrawal limits in Russia?
ATMs in Russia have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of RUB 100,000 to RUB 300,000 per transaction. Banks usually have weekly and monthly withdrawal limits.
ATM Fees in Russia
There are many fee-free ATMs in Russia. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Russia do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. So you have many fee-free options as a foreign card holder to withdraw cash here.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Russia. These are:
1. Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
2. Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Russia
Use the lower fee ATMs in the country.
Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
Consider getting fee-free cards from your home country.
Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Russia?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Russia. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Russia. Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Safety at ATMs
ATM access in Russia is widespread, especially in major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. While violent crime is relatively uncommon, travelers should be alert to fraud-related risks such as card skimming and shoulder surfing. Use ATMs located inside reputable bank branches, shopping malls, or hotels rather than those on the street or in dimly lit areas. Avoid withdrawing cash at night and be wary of strangers offering help. Shield your PIN, take your receipt, and check your account regularly for unauthorized transactions.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Russia takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs in Russia?
Yes, its possible. There are many fee-free ATMs in Russia. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Russia do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. So you have many fee-free options as a foreign card holder to withdraw cash here.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Russia?
No, ATMs usually do not accept foreign Visa, Mastercards, Diners, American Express and Discover cards. They do accept ChinaUnionPay (CUP), Rupay cards.
Bitcoin ATMs?
There are no Bitcoin ATMs operating in Russia as of early 2025. Even though interest in crypto has grown – especially for sanctioned trade purposes – public crypto ATM machines have not been confirmed across Moscow or other cities.
Foreign bank ATMs’ presence in Russia
- Bank of America: No, Bank of America does not operate ATMs here.
- Citibank: No, Citi has wound down consumer banking and closed its retail ATM network.
- Barclays: No, Barclays does not operate ATMs in Russia.
- HSBC: No, HSBC exited retail banking in Russia; no consumer ATMs remain.
- Standard Chartered: No, Standard Chartered does not maintain public ATMs in Russia.
