My place near Kazan Cathedral had a card machine but wouldn’t take my UK card. They weren’t rude about it, just shrugged and asked for cash. Had to ru...

Got lucky with VTB near the Hermitage-machine worked with my UK Union Card and didn’t slap me with a local fee. Max I could pull was 300,000 RUB thoug...

Tried to pay with Amex at GUM in Red Square just for fun-nope. Lady at the counter just smiled and shook her head. That was my sign. Didn’t work at an...

Got declined at five ATMs in a row in Kazan. Stores didn’t like my Irish card either. It’s a real issue now, even if your bank says “international rea...

Landed in Pulkovo, saw the rates at the Travelex booth, and noped out fast. Exchanged just €20 for snacks and the bus. Found a money exchange in Nevsk...

Happened to me outside a mini-mart ATM in Kazan. Card went in and never came out. It was one of those Euronet machines, which I now avoid like the pla...

I kept things simple-stayed in hostels, ate from grocery stores, and stuck to public transport. Averaged about 2,800 RUB a day. Metro’s great value, a...

Tried tapping my Visa in a cab-driver burst out laughing. Never felt so “touristy.” Bolt calls? Card’s fine. But any taxi flagged down? Cash. So yeah,...

Tried paying with my Visa on the city bus once and got a blank stare from the driver. That ticket cost me RWF 400-small bills only. I started carrying...