Cards issued by foreign banks do not work in Russia. After you cross the Russian border, the convenience you are used to becomes inaccessible: you are unable to conveniently pay for coffee, book a taxi, or get admission to a museum. You are forced to look for a currency exchange bureau, bring physical money with you, and cut back on impulse purchases.
A convenient solution is PayInRussia. This payment service helps foreign travelers to pay for purchases and services in Russia with their mobile phones. You do not need cash or need to go to a bank.
What can you pay for?
- cab rides and courier deliveries;
- hotels and airline tickets;
- cafes and dining establishments;
- stores and shopping malls;
- tickets to museums and events;
- orders placed with Russian online retailers and marketplaces.
How can you use it?
Sign up before your journey while you are still at home. To get started:
- use your phone to scan your passport;
- take a photo of yourself;
- go through a fast identity verification procedure. https://payinrussia.com Your personal details is processed automatically, and you do not need to receive text messages on a Russian phone number.
Top up your balance using a card issued by a foreign bank or a supported international payment service before you arrive in Russia.
Make payments for your purchases:
- Offline: use your phone to scan the QR code at the checkout. Internet access via Wi-Fi or a mobile network must be available.
- On the internet: make purchases from online shops and reserve accommodation and purchase tickets straight from the mobile app.
What makes it convenient?
PayInRussia has been designed with overseas visitors in mind:
- you are not required to be a Russian resident;
- you do not need to open a bank account in Russia;
- you are not required to go to banks or foreign exchange offices;
- you can register and top up your balance before your trip;
- you can make convenient payments using your smartphone;
- the service is suitable for short visits as well as longer stays.
How do you get started? Just follow three simple steps:
- Get the mobile app to your smartphone.
- Fund your account using an internationally issued bank card.
- Make payments for goods and services in Russia: start the mobile app, select the QR code symbol, and scan the code at the checkout. The money will be deducted from your balance immediately.
