Traveling can be a very expensive affair, especially if you do not plan ahead and look for ways to save money from the start. There are, however, some ways that you can visit a country like Russia on a budget.
Volunteer
One option is to sign up as a volunteer. Volunteering usually means that you get free accommodation and food and the organization you help will likely arrange your travel documents and visa. These volunteer opportunities tend to be for the summer months and there are many people who apply. Thus, it may be difficult to find an opening, so apply as soon as you see such an opportunity become available.

City Passes
In the large cities of St. Petersburg and Moscow you can buy a CityPass. The CityPass can be bought in many places. It costs about $56 but it’s worth it in the long run. It saves you a lot of money as it allows you free admission to museums and many other sites
If you don’t get a CityPass, there are also days when museums have free admission; try to find out when these days are and take advantage. Keep in mind that Russia usually charges foreigners more to buy a ticket to a museum or other tourist location. Thus, if possible it would be a good idea to get a local Russian to buy a ticket for you so that you can get the discounted rate. If you are going to a museum, skip the audio guide as it is not that useful and is expensive.
Free and Discount Places
You can also look for free places to visit such as cathedrals and monuments in and around the big cities. These smaller towns will often have free or low-cost museums and other places that you can visit, such as cathedrals and various monuments. In addition, you can also attend some free student concerts at the Russian Academy of Music. Look for special offers when it comes to dining. There are several canteens which offer relatively cheap yet good quality home-made food. If you do some research, you can find affordable places to dine.
Travel Smartly
When traveling around the country, consider taking the train – it’s more affordable, especially for longer distances. You can get the best prices by buying tickets well in advance so take time to plan. Traveling at night is also somewhat cheaper than traveling during the day.
The cost of flying into Russia can be very hight, especially if you fly directly from say, the United States. A better and cheaper option would be flying somewhere in Europe, such as Germany, and then getting a flight from there into Russia. There may even be trains that can take you into Russia from an outlying country. Low-cost airlines such as Germanwings and Ryanair are more affordable than some other alternatives. Compare prices to get the best deal you can. With a bit of forethought and planning you can still have a terrific trip to Russia without it costing you a fortune.
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