Bank cards issued outside Russia do not work in Russia. As soon as you enter the country, the convenience you are used to becomes inaccessible: you cannot simply pay for your coffee, request a cab, or purchase a ticket to a museum. You need to search for a place to exchange money, keep cash on hand, and cut back on impulse purchases.
The answer to this problem is PayInRussia. https://payinrussia.com/ This payment service allows international tourists to make payments for products and services in Russia through their smartphones. You can manage without cash or need to go to a bank.
What can you pay for?
- taxi trips and delivery services;
- accommodation and flight tickets;
- coffee shops and restaurants;
- stores and shopping malls;
- admission to museums and various events;
- purchases from Russian e-commerce stores and marketplaces.
How does it work?
Register before your trip while you are in your country of residence. To complete the registration:
- upload a scan of your passport;
- take a photo of yourself;
- complete a brief identity check. Your personal details is processed automatically, and SMS verification through a Russian phone number is not required.
Top up your balance using a card issued by a foreign bank or an eligible payment platform operating in a supported country before traveling to Russia.
Pay for your purchases:
- In physical locations: scan the checkout QR code. Internet access via Wi-Fi or mobile data must be available.
- On the internet: pay for orders in e-commerce stores and make hotel reservations and buy tickets right in the application.
Why is it convenient?
PayInRussia has been designed specifically for international tourists:
- you are not required to be a resident of the Russian Federation;
- you are not required to open an account at a Russian bank;
- you can avoid visiting bank offices or currency exchange bureaus;
- you can create an account and add funds in advance of your journey;
- you can easily pay for purchases using your smartphone;
- the service is convenient for both short and extended trips.
How can you start using the service? Just follow three simple steps:
- Download the app to your smartphone.
- Add money to your balance using an international bank card.
- Pay for purchases in Russia: start the mobile app, press the QR payment icon, and scan the checkout QR code. The money will be debited from your account right away.