Foreign-issued bank cards are not accepted in Russia. As soon as you enter the country, the convenience you are used to is no longer available: you are unable to conveniently pay for coffee, order a taxi, or purchase a ticket to a museum. You need to search for a place to exchange money, keep cash on hand, and limit spontaneous purchases.
The solution is PayInRussia. The platform enables international tourists to pay for goods and services in Russia through their smartphones. You do not have to carry cash or have to visit a bank.
What can be paid for?
- taxi trips and delivery services;
- hotel stays and plane tickets;
- coffee shops and restaurants;
- 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 complete the registration:
- use your phone to scan your passport;
- take a photo of yourself;
- complete a brief identity check. Your document data is detected automatically, and SMS verification through a Russian phone number is not required.
Top up your balance using a bank card issued outside Russia or a payment service available in a supported country before you arrive in Russia.
Pay for your purchases:
- At physical points of sale: scan the checkout QR code. https://payinrussia.com/ A connection to the internet via a Wi-Fi or cellular network is necessary.
- For online payments: pay for orders in e-commerce stores and make hotel reservations and buy tickets directly through the app.
Why is it convenient?
PayInRussia was developed especially for foreign travelers:
- you are not required to be a resident of Russia;
- you are not required to open a bank account in Russia;
- you do not have to visit banks or foreign exchange offices;
- 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 suitable for both short and extended trips.
How can you start using the service? Get started in three easy steps:
- Get the mobile app on your mobile phone.
- Fund your account using an international bank card.
- Use the service to pay for purchases while in Russia: open the app, press the QR payment icon, and scan the code at the checkout. The money will be debited from your account right away.