Safety

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While Russia can be as safe to travel within as other major European and American cities, it is important to keep some basic safety tips in mind:

• Be sure to keep informed of news coverage of what is going on in the areas you are traveling to.
• Register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to where you are going.
• Leave a detailed itinerary and number of your passport with a friend or relative in the U.S.
• Keep photocopies of your passport, visa, airline and other tickets and a list of your traveler's checks, as well emergency numbers with you in a separate location from the original and leave copies with someone at home.  Have a notary stamp put on them if possible.  This will be invaluable if you lose any bags with the original documents or are robbed.
• Use a money belt or concealed pouch for your passport, cash, etc.
• Do not get intoxicated in a public place without a trusted friend who agrees to stay sober--thieves take advantage of tourists who are obviously drunk.
• Do not hail unmarked cars as taxis.  Even though this is a common practice in Russia, foreigners have been known to be robbed and assaulted in such a case.  Also never accept a ride from a driver who already has other passengers.
• Emergency numbers are as follows:  Fire: 01, Police: 02, Ambulance: 03.