Tips for Personal Safety

Renting Apartments (for hotels, see Practical Traveler)

— Find an apartment or homestay through a reputable real estate agency or bed & breakfast venture, through trusted friends or through classifieds in the local English language newspapers, NOT through classifieds in the Russian press or posted in public places.

— Make sure your apartment has a metal door. Avoid ground floor apartments without extra protection such as burglar alarms or barred windows.

— Keep strict control of who knows where you live and who visits your apartment or hotel room. Let Russian friends do the entertaining, and conduct meetings in public places. Be cautious about accepting invitations from people you do not know well.

— Avoid having mail or newspapers sent to your home - mailing boxes in apartment buildings are unsafe, and you should not advertise your address.

Staying streetwise

— Maintain a low profile - loud conversation or provocative behavior is likely to attract unwanted attention. Do not flash money around.

— When on the street, be aware of your surroundings and where you are going.

— Always walk confidently and at a steady pace. Criminals prey on those who feel unsure of themselves.

— If approached by gypsy children, avoid eye contact, be loud, aggressive, and, if necessary, physical — they will try to steal anything they can get from you.

— Avoid alleys, shortcuts and pedestrian underpasses late at night.

— If you are asked for a light or the time, it is best not to respond, do not break your stride.

— Distribute your money in money belts, pockets etc. Carry a card with emergency numbers in a location separate from your wallet.

— Be aware of people around you when changing money.

— Carry mace or other defense against mugging, rape etc. Gas pistols muct be registered with the militia.

Traveling inside Russia

— When flying domestically, stick to Aeroflot International Airlines, Transaero or a handful of other reputable companies. The rest are notoriously unsafe.

— Travel by train in pairs if possible, lock doors and tie rope round the lock mechanism, be wary of accepting food and especially alcohol from strangers, keep valuables under your pillow, and bags under the bunk you are sleeping on.

Getting around the city

— Do not leave valuables in cars, install an alarm system, try to use guarded parking lots or rent a garage. If you are new to Moscow, hire a driver or use public transport.

— At night, use only official taxis. Never get in a car with two or more people. Always know where you are going. Never allow the driver to stop on the way

— In the metro, avoid empty carriages, stand close to the exit. Do not stand at the far end of the platform or let anyone stand behind you on the platform.

If in difficulty in Moscow...

— Call 244-3449, and ask in English for the Crisis Center.