The Joy of Travel: Exploring New Places

The joy of travel lies in the opportunity to experience new places firsthand. Before embarking on a journey, it is crucial to gather information alongside packing essential items like clothing.

Traveling to Russia: A Guide

Traveling to Russia is a relatively straightforward process. By understanding the following eight key points, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.

Airports

Moscow boasts three international airports:

• Domodedovo International Airport (DME): This airport serves major airlines like Thai Airways, Emirates, and Etihad, and is the largest of the three.
• Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO): This airport is the second largest and serves Aeroflot, among other airlines.
• Vnukovo International Airport (VKO): This is the third largest airport in Moscow.

The Seasons of Russia

Russia experiences four distinct seasons:

• Spring: March - May
• Summer: June - August
• Autumn: September - November
• Winter: December - February

During the summer months, the days are long, allowing for extended daylight hours compared to other seasons. However, each season offers a unique experience, catering to different preferences.

It's important to note that Russia's time zone is four hours behind Thailand's.

Money

For money matters, it is recommended to exchange currency at Super Rich branches. However, it is advisable to call and reserve in advance as some branches may not have a large stock of Russian rubles. During our visit, the exchange rate was 1 Thai baht = 0.59 Russian rubles. The strength of the Thai baht compared to the Russian ruble allowed us to purchase goods at significantly lower prices.

For students

ISIC Card: Your Key to Student Discounts Worldwide

The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is a valuable tool for students seeking discounts on travel, accommodation, and cultural experiences around the globe. To be eligible for an ISIC card, you must be a student aged 12 or older. The card is valid for one year from the date of issue.

With an ISIC card, you can enjoy discounts at museums, historical sites, public transportation, and even some shops and restaurants. The card can save you significant money on your travels, making it a worthwhile investment for any student planning to explore the world.

To apply for an ISIC card, you can visit the STA Travel branch at Chulachomklao Square in Bangkok. You will need to bring your passport, student ID card, and a passport-sized photo. The application fee is 400 baht. You can also apply online at the STA Travel website: http://www.statravel.co.th/home.htm.

Benefits of an ISIC Card:

• Discounts on travel, accommodation, and cultural experiences worldwide
• Access to exclusive student deals and offers
• Recognition as a bona fide student in over 130 countries
• A convenient way to carry your student ID and passport information

Eligibility Requirements:

• Be a student aged 12 or older
• Have a valid student ID card

Application Process:

• Visit the STA Travel branch at Chulachomklao Square in Bangkok
• Bring your passport, student ID card, and a passport-sized photo
• Pay the application fee of 400 baht
• Alternatively, apply online at http://www.statravel.co.th/home.htm

Additional Information:

• The ISIC card is valid for one year from the date of issue.
• You can renew your ISIC card online or at any STA Travel branch.
• For more information about the ISIC card, please visit the official ISIC website: https://www.isic.org/

Boarding and Disembarking Trains in Russia

Russian trains are called Metro, and they are identified by the letter M symbol.

When purchasing train tickets at the Ticket Office, look for the KACCA sign.

The Moscow Metro card is compatible with the St. Petersburg Metro card, unlike the St. Petersburg Metro card, which is not compatible with the Moscow Metro card.

Moscow train tickets are divided into two types.

First type: Purchase by number of journeys

1 Journey--------------------------------55 RUB

2 Journeys------------------------------110 RUB

20 Journeys----------------------------720 RUB

40 Journeys----------------------------1440 RUB

60 Journeys----------------------------1700 RUB

Unlimited Pass Options:

1 Day: 210 RUB 3 Days: 400 RUB 7 Days: 800 RUB 30 Days: 2000 RUB 90 Days: 5000 RUB 365 Days: 18200 RUB

We recommend the Unlimited pass for the number of days you will be there, as we used the Metro a lot and it was cheaper than the limited pass.

St. Petersburg train tickets are divided into 3 types:

First option: Purchase rounds in batches, with each batch costing 45 RUB.

Option two: Purchase a Standard Electronic Ticket card (green, 55 RUB). Top up the card for the desired number of journeys:

1 - 10 Journeys ----------------------------------- 36 RUB per journey

11 - 20 Journeys --------------------------------- 35 RUB per journey

21 - 30 Journeys --------------------------------- 34 RUB per journey

31 - 40 Journeys --------------------------------- 33 RUB per journey

40+ Journeys ----------------------------------- 32 RUB per journey

Package Three: Limited-Day Travel Pass

10 Journeys for 7 Days -------------------------- 355 RUB

20 Journeys for 15 Days ------------------------ 680 RUB

40 Journeys for 30 Days ------------------------ 1300 RUB

All signs within the Metro are exclusively in Russian, posing a challenge for non-Russian speakers like ourselves. To overcome this, we meticulously noted down the Russian spellings of our destinations during the planning phase, facilitating easier identification of signs. Additionally, the high-speed and frequent trains eliminate the need to worry about extended waiting times.

Moscow Metro: Navigating the Labyrinth

Moscow's extensive Metro system boasts numerous stations, making navigation a challenge for first-time riders. To navigate effectively, passengers can count stations to determine their stop or consult signage indicating the desired line's color. If signage proves elusive, floor markings can provide color-coded guidance. However, locating the correct station color signage remains crucial to avoid getting lost. Upon reaching the transfer platform, passengers should carefully compare the station name on the platform with the hanging signs, which clearly indicate left and right directions. Once the correct direction is identified, passengers can wait for the train and board promptly.

In St. Petersburg, transferring between lines is similar to Moscow. To determine which platform to board, check the signs indicating the final destination of each train. Alternatively, locate the signs along the pillars, which display the destinations served by each platform. Be aware that finding the relevant information may require some effort.

Russia Railway Tickets

Train tickets can be booked up to 60 days in advance. Bookings can be made at http://pass.rzd.ru/main-pass/public/en or https://pass.rzd.ru/timetable/public/en?STRUCTURE_....

This is the website's interface. After entering this page, first-time users should click "Register" to create an account before booking tickets.

STEP I: Register Account

Fill out the registration form with your information and confirm your registration via email.

STEP II Once you have an account, log in and start booking.

STEP III Select your travel date, departure and arrival cities, and desired time slot.

STEP IV After the data is loaded, the bus schedule will be displayed for us to choose from.

STEP V After selecting the time slot, choose the train.

Select your desired seats for both the outbound and return flights.

Please complete the traveler information.

STEP VIII Verify the information for accuracy.

Step IX: Pay for the train ticket and download the Electronic Ticket.

In addition to the website interface shown above, there is another interface available, with a similar booking process.

STEP III: Select your travel date, departure and arrival cities, and desired time slot.

STEP IV: After the data is loaded, a table will appear showing the train schedule, prices, and available trains to choose from.

STEP VI Select your desired seats for both outbound and return flights

After checking the information, please enter your credit card details to complete the payment.

This is an example of a ticket used when boarding the train.

(This is the same as the original text, as instructed.)

Application

This section introduces three applications that can be helpful for daily life in Russia:

• Yandex.Metro: This app provides subway maps for both Moscow and St. Petersburg, with the option to switch between English and Russian languages. It also has a location-based feature that can identify the nearest subway station to the user's current location.
• Google Maps: This app helps users navigate by providing directions to various destinations.
• Google Translate: In addition to transportation apps, Google Translate can be used to translate menus and communicate with locals in Russia.

Drinking Water

Bottled water in Russia is available in both carbonated and non-carbonated versions. When purchasing water at convenience stores, saying "No Gas" is understood by locals. When using vending machines or selecting water independently, look for the word "нет" (meaning "No") on the front of the bottle to identify non-carbonated water.