Offline preparation
Save the hotel address, flight, visa, emergency contacts and maps offline. Set a meeting point and time in case phones fail, and carry the address on paper. Use extra caution for banking on shared Wi-Fi.
Money and backup methods
Ask your bank in writing whether your card can be used in Russia and do not travel card-only. Recheck legal cash declaration, sanctions/compliance and exchange rules immediately before travel. Never exchange money on the street.
Prepare offline and payment fallbacks together
Connectivity and payment are linked: even a working card may fail if a bank verification message cannot arrive. Confirm passport and registration requirements before buying a SIM, and never treat network coverage as guaranteed on a mountain road. Keep the hotel address, driver's phone, tickets and essential maps offline. Rather than relying on one card or app, prepare a lawful second payment option and a reasonable cash reserve, and never hand device, card or document images to strangers.
