Moscow has introduced a convenient Tourist Card for international visitors, now available at the new travel and banking office of Sber, Russia’s largest bank. Located on Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street near the Red Square, the center offers Indian tourists essential travel information, multilingual support, and seamless banking services in one place.
The Tourist Card, operating on Russia’s MIR payment system, enables foreign travelers to make cashless payments across Moscow, including at restaurants, public transport, and tourist attractions. With no monthly maintenance fees, it offers a practical alternative to VISA and Mastercard, which do not operate in Russia.
Indian travelers can register online for a virtual Tourist Card using just a phone number—no Russian SIM required. The card can also be ordered in advance for mail delivery to hotels or home addresses. While a physical card is optional, Android users can tap to pay via NFC using the YooMoney app, and iOS users can scan QR codes widely accepted across Moscow.
The Sber travel center provides personalized travel planning, multilingual consultations, and free multilingual city guide booklets. Visitors can relax in a lounge area, enjoy traditional Moscow treats, and entertain children in a special play zone created with the iconic animation studio Soyuzmultfilm.
Tourists can also top up the card at local ATMs that support YooMoney, making it easy to add funds in Russian rubles. With nearly 86,000 Indian tourists visiting Moscow in 2024—a 1.4-fold increase from 2023—this new payment solution is designed to enhance the city’s appeal as a seamless and tourist-friendly destination.
