Useful information

Shops. Mostly all shops work every day (including Saturdays and Sundays).
Even in the middle of the night, even on Saturday and Sunday you can get food and drinks at 24 shops, which usually have a special sign 24.
Recently some 24 hours shops selling books, clothes, cell phones and other goods appeared.

Taxi. Taxis are easily recognized by black chequers, colour of the car doesn’t matter. It’s advisable to ask the ride cost in advance. Don’t take taxis at the railway stations or airports itself it may cost you a fortune. It’s better to call a taxi or book a transfer.
It’s not recommended to hitch a lift on the street it can be very dangerous both for you and for your pocket.

Toilets. It can be hard to find WC service in the city, so we recommend you to try McDonald’s or other cafes and restaurants, nearby hotels or shopping malls.
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Public transport. Every time it becomes more and more popular among locals and tourists to travel by public transport, especially by so called “marshrutka” – is a mini taxi bus with a set route. They go mostly everywhere in the city and to the suburbs.
The average price varies from 20 to 30 rubles. To take “marshrutka” just rise your hand when you see the needed one and it will stop in front of you. When you want to get off “marshrutka”, scream as loud as you can “STOP!”.

Tips. It’s rather common to give tips at the restaurant (usually 10% from a bill sum) and hotels. Also you can give tips to excursion bus driver and to your guide if you were satisfied with their service.

Pickpockets. The main pickpocket places are streets of the downtown. Pickpockets like to block your way or the entrance/exit of public transport. Avoid attracting unwanted attention by carrying big sums of money, expensive cameras or mobile phones in easy available places (on your neck or into the pocket etc). Beware!