Official currency in Russia is rouble. If you pay for any product or service in cash on the territory of Russia, you should pay in roubles. Payments in any other currency are prohibited. However, as rouble is not a stable currency, many companies have prices in their price lists in "standard units". As the rule, one standard unit equals one US dollar.

If we talk about monetary system in Russia, there are 100 kopeks to one rouble. Roubles are made of metal and paper. Paper banknotes are of the value of 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rouble; metal coins are of the value 1, 2, 5 rouble. Kopecks are made only of metal. Their value is 1, 5, 10 and 50 kopek coins.

The banknotes of 10, 50 and 100 roubles are the most convenient to use.

10 rubles
50 rubles
100 rubles
500 rubles
1000 rubles
5000 rubles

Dollars (marks, pounds) in cash can be exchanged at any of the currency exchange offices. There are several hundreds currency exchange offices in the city. It remains to find the one with the most advantageous exchange rate.

Any traveller's cheque (American Express, Thomas Cook, etc.) can be cashed at exchange offices and banks. You can get your money in dollars, marks, roubles etc.

In general, most people in Russia pay for products and services in cash - cards are not widely used among Russian residents. However you can easily withdraw money at ATM. These machines are available at some metro stations, next to the markets in the downtown. In one word, you will fond a guite habitual bank service in St. Petersburg