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Russia Vacation Packing List

Russia Vacation Packing List

This packing list that follows will serve you well as a rough checklist of things you might consider taking on you Russia vacation. It's not necessary to take all of these things on your Russia vacation, but all of these items might prove useful at one point or another during you Russia vacation.

This list has been comprised with warm, summer Russia vacation in mind. If you're travelling in a colder climate, you should add gloves, a hat, and consider taking more clothes to provide layers and warmth. In any Russia vacation climate try to choose clothing which can be mixed and matched easily in colours that won't show dirt.

Paperwork & Books

•  passport

•  visa

•  work permit

•  train/bus pass

•  health card

•  driver's license

•  journal

•  guidebook

•  hostel card

•  copy of prescriptions

•  ISIC student card

 

Luggage & Money

•  backpack

•  daypack

•  bathroom organizer

•  moneybelt

•  neck wallet

•  calculator/money convertor

•  ATM card

•  creditcard with PIN

•  traveler's cheques

In Your Shoulder Bag
(Note: Keep your shoulder bag in sight/on your person at all times.)

  • Rain jacket (preferably made of Gore-Tex, or equivalent) folded up in the back pocket (also provides padding against your back)
  • Mini dictionary (In a pinch, you can always point to a word)
  • Copies of passport, visa, and shot records and note on how to reach you in Russia, in case an honest soul finds your lost bag
  • Hat in winter (unless you wear a "shapka" fur hat)
  • Swiss Army knife or "Leatherman" tool
  • Extra subway tokens (even if you buy a pass)
  • Maps (City with metro routes and for any other areas you visit)
  • Imodium AD (or equivalent)
  • Pocket Kleenex/moist towelettes (toilet paper is often unavailable away from your hotel, etc.)
  • Small Umbrella
  • Cigarette lighter (even if you don't smoke)

General Items (in your Luggage/Room)

  • Clothing to last the entire trip, if possible.   (Laundry can be extremely expensive in the major Western hotels)
  • Extra wrist watch (preferably with an alarm)
  • Galoshes (in season). City streets can really take a toll on nice shoes in Russia
  • Woolite or small travel cleaning kit
  • Pain relief of choice
  • Small mirror
  • Toiletries for the duration of your trip, especially outside of major cities
  • Some sort of hidden wallet with a small amount of cash, subway token, and copies of passport and visa

For Travel to Remote Areas

  • Small flashlight
  • Flagyl (see your M.D. This is the medicine used to fight the intestinal parasite giardia)
  • Souvenirs (It is good to have something like lipsticks to give the "duty" ladies that take care of you at hotels, or to someone who gives you a little gift. If they have children, they love to get a something for them.
  • Boots
  • Swimsuit (for the "banya" baths)