Which currency is best to bring to Russia — dollars, euros or yuan?
Dollars or euros. As of 2026 they are the easiest currencies to exchange in Russia, and yuan is widely taken too. Whichever you bring, take clean, newer-series banknotes — worn or old-series notes are often refused or discounted — and remember that shops only take rubles.
Updated September 2026
Dollars, euros and yuan compared
US dollars and euros are traded by practically every bank and licensed exchange office (обменник) in Russia. Every counter has a rate board, so rates are easy to compare. Chinese yuan is now widely taken as well, especially in big cities and the Far East, though smaller towns may have fewer counters that handle it.
Both are easy to exchange, so bring whichever you already hold — dollars are marginally more liquid, but in most cities the difference is small.
- US dollars: exchanged at practically every bank and exchange office, easiest to compare rates
- Euros: exchanged almost as widely as dollars, though a few banks quote worse rates for them
- Chinese yuan: widely taken as of 2026, best in big cities
- Pounds, francs, yen, dirhams: only some banks exchange them
- Anything else: hard to exchange — swap it for dollars or euros at home
The condition of the notes matters
Russian banks are strict about banknotes. They want clean, undamaged notes of the newer series; a torn, stained or heavily worn note is usually refused, and old-series dollars are often discounted or turned away. Euros and yuan get the same inspection.
Ask your bank at home for fresh notes and keep them flat in an envelope.
Customs limits and where to exchange
Cash above the equivalent of 10 000 USD must be declared at customs on entry, and since 2022 taking more than 10 000 USD in foreign cash out of Russia is prohibited.
Change a small amount at the airport — rates there are poor — and the rest at a bank or exchange office in the city. Exchanging more than 40 000 ₽ in one go requires a passport, and some banks ask below that too.
How much foreign cash you really need
Less than most travellers expect. Global payment methods do not work in Russia, but in cities most payments go through Russian domestic cards or QR codes via the Russian payment network. PayInRussia gives you that: a free virtual card you set up online before you land, top up from your own global payment methods, UnionPay or Alipay, and use for QR codes, online payments and taxi apps.
It does not withdraw cash from ATMs, so still bring some dollars or euros for markets, tips and a backup — just fewer of them.
