Crime:
The biggest dangers for tourists in Russia are from pickpockets, swindling in unlawful currency exchanges, theft of unattended valuables.

Some common-sense safety tips: Don't carry your wallet in your back pocket. Watch your valuables, especially in crowded situations such as buses or metros. Under no circumstances exchange money from strangers: exchange money at banks or authorized money exchange points. The use of money-pouches for cash, air tickets, visas, passports, is advised. Avoid walking alone in deserted streets late at night.

Although Russia has been the source of sensational mafia stories, there is no organized effort to target tourists, who are as safe in St. Petersburg or Moscow as say in Los Angeles or New York.

Air Safety:
International flights, New York City - St. Petersburg, Moscow-St. Petersburg, will be on the Finnish carrier "Finnair." It is planned to use the respected carrier "Transaero" for flight(s) from St. Petersburg to Irkutsk. "Transaero" places great emphasis on flight safety, and has a fleet of eleven jets that includes ten Boeings (five Boeing-757's, five Boeing-737's, one IL-86). "Transaero" does not service the city of Chita, the solar eclipse site, and another carrier may be used for the flight Chita-Moscow. Air schedules in Russia for domestic routes are not established for more than a month in advance. Tour group may be compelled to return to Irkutsk from Chita by train, in which case "Transaero" may be used for flight to Moscow.

Eye Safety for the Eclipse:
The solar eclipse may be viewed directly with the naked eye ONLY WHEN THE ECLIPSE IS IN TOTALITY. In periods preceding and following eclipse totality, approved sun filters or safe methods for viewing the sun must be followed (including when viewing the eclipse in its partial phase through unprotected camera lenses, etc.)

Travel Tips:

• Upon arriving into Russia, passports and Russian visas will be stamped by Russian immigration officials. Shortly thereafter there is a separate customs control, where an all-important "customs declaration" must be filled out, and then be stamped by a customs official. List on this form all currency being imported into Russia, and valuables such as jewelry, expensive watches, precious metals. Later, when departing Russia, a customs official will ask to see this customs declaration, which will be checked to see that you are not exporting more currency from Russia than you brought in. Technically, without a stamped customs declaration, you are not allowed to bring MORE THAN $50 OUT OF RUSSIA! (this rule is rarely enforced, but you do not want to place yourself in this predicament).
  
• The US dollar is the foreign currency of preference at exchange bureaus in Russia. However, dollar bills that are faded, torn, or scribbled upon will rarely be accepted by Russian banks. Traveller checks can be cashed, but usually for around a 3% commission (Do not bring in traveller checks of "exotic" currencies, such as Swiss Franks, etc. Use well-known brands of travellers checks, i.e., American Express, Thomas Cook, Visa). Cash advances in dollars can often be drawn from Visa credit cards, for commissions ranging from 1 to 5 percent.
  
• Do not drink tap water in Russia. However, beverages, tea and coffee served at restaurants and bars can be drunk. Tap water is safe if it is first boiled.
  
• It is a complicated matter to export out of Russia old icons and items deemed to be of historical value (permitted in some cases after visiting the Russian Ministry of Culture, paying a 100% fee of value accessed, and then receiving an "export" certificate). Export of old samovars and other items may be prohibited under all circumstances, no matter what store proprietors may assert to the contrary.
• The following is a list of USA embassies/consulates in Russia:
  • American Embassy
    Novinskiy Bulvar 19/23
    Moscow
    Tel (095) 252-2451; after hours 252-1898 or 255-5123
    

    American Consulate
    Ulitisa Furshtadskaya 15
    St. Petersburg
    Tel (812) 274-8235
    

    American Consulate
    12 Mordortseva
    Vladivostok
    Tel (4232) 268458 or 267117
    

    Emergency numbers in Yekaterinburg:
    Tel (3432) 611143, FAX 601181
    

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