Foreign-issued bank cards are not accepted in Russia. After you cross the Russian border, the convenience you are used to becomes inaccessible: you cannot simply pay for your coffee, book a taxi, or purchase a ticket to a museum. You need to search for a place to exchange money, bring physical money with you, and limit spontaneous purchases.
The solution is PayInRussia. The platform helps foreign travelers to pay for purchases and services in Russia with their mobile phones. You do not have to carry cash or have to visit a bank.
What can you pay for?
- taxi trips and delivery services;
- hotel stays and plane tickets;
- cafes and dining establishments;
- shops and shopping centers;
- admission to museums and various events;
- orders from Russian online stores and marketplaces.
How can you use it?
Sign up before your journey while you are still at home. To do this:
- use your phone to scan your passport;
- take a selfie;
- complete a quick identity verification process. Your document data is recognized automatically, and SMS verification through a Russian phone number is not required.
Top up your balance using a foreign-issued bank card or a supported international payment service prior to your arrival in Russia.
Make payments for your purchases:
- Offline: use your phone to scan the QR code at the checkout. payinrussia.com Internet access via Wi-Fi or mobile data must be available.
- For online payments: pay in online stores and book hotels and tickets right in the application.
Why is the service so useful?
PayInRussia has been designed with overseas visitors in mind:
- you do not need to be a Russian resident;
- you do not have to set up a bank account in Russia;
- you do not have to visit bank offices or currency exchange bureaus;
- you can create an account and add funds before you travel;
- you can pay conveniently using your smartphone;
- the service is convenient for short visits as well as longer stays.
What do you need to do to begin? Just follow three simple steps:
- Install the application to your smartphone.
- Top up your balance using a bank card issued abroad.
- Make payments for goods and services in Russia: launch the application, press the QR payment icon, and use your camera to scan the code at the payment terminal. The money will be withdrawn from your balance instantly.