July 07, 2023

Rolling in Rubles


Rolling in Rubles
The Bronze Horseman, St. Petersburg, Russia. Pavel Inozemtsev, Unsplash.

St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov has endorsed legislation that would implement a resort fee within the city, as part of an initiative to enhance the development of resort infrastructure, according to an official statement released by the city administration's press service.

Effective from October 1, 2023, the resort fee would begin to be collected from tourists starting April 1, 2024. The fee is set at 100R (just over $1) per person per day and will be collected by hotels, hostels, and other temporary lodging establishments.

The funds acquired through the levy will be allocated to the reconstruction, maintenance, and repair of resort infrastructure, with a specific list of projects to be determined by the government.

The press service specified that the resort fee will not be imposed on tourists for their first day in St. Petersburg. Furthermore, the legislation includes more than 20 groups of individuals to be exempted from the fee, including individuals working within the city on employment or service contracts, as well as those who possess a registered residence in St. Petersburg.

Russia's Resort Fee Act was passed in July of 2017. In December 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended the act's validity through December 31, 2024, adding St. Petersburg and the Sirius federal territory to the list of participants of the Resort Fee Act. The Altai, Krasnodar, and Stavropol Territories also collect a resort tax from tourists, ranging from 50 to 100R. Failure to pay the fee can result in an administrative fine of 500 to 2,000R.
 

You Might Also Like

21 Slices of St. Petersburg Life
  • May 01, 2003

21 Slices of St. Petersburg Life

Thousands upon thousands of pages have been written about Piter during its three centuries of life on the Neva. But what does it take to understand this strange city like a native? These 20 "signs of life" offer a tiny part of the answer.
Useful Resources for Tourists Visiting Russia
  • August 27, 2013

Useful Resources for Tourists Visiting Russia

A compendium of 13 useful websites for persons interested in traveling to Russia, covering everything from the latest visa information to cruises, to what not to do when in Russia (etiquette).
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955