Survival Russian for Travelers: Master the Essentials Before You Go

Apr 24

Planning a trip to Russia? Whether you’re strolling through Red Square in Moscow, marveling at the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, or exploring charming towns like Suzdal, knowing a bit of Russian can make your experience much smoother and more enjoyable. You don’t need to be fluent—you just need the right survival phrases.

Imagine this: you step off the plane in Moscow, and everything from the signs to the menus looks completely unfamiliar. You hop into a taxi, and the driver doesn’t speak a word of English. You go to buy a bottle of water, but you’re not sure how to ask for it. This scenario is very common for travelers who arrive in Russia without any knowledge of the language. While apps and guidebooks can help in a pinch, there's something uniquely empowering about being able to communicate even just a little bit in the local language.

Russian might seem intimidating at first with its Cyrillic alphabet and unfamiliar sounds, but mastering a few strategic phrases can dramatically improve your trip. From ordering food and asking for directions to navigating public transport and handling emergencies, speaking even basic Russian will help you feel more confident and connected.

Besides, Russians are known for being warm and helpful once you break the ice. Making the effort to speak even a few words in Russian can open doors to genuine cultural experiences, local recommendations, and warm smiles. You'll come away with not only great memories but also the pride of having stepped out of your comfort zone.

This guide is your toolkit for travel-ready Russian. We’ll walk you through essential Russian phrases for tourists, how to order food confidently, tips on navigating Russian transportation, and what to say in emergencies. Whether you’re traveling solo or with friends, this article is packed with useful expressions to help you handle everyday situations with ease.

And if you're based in Berkeley, San Francisco, Oakland, or San Jose, and want to get hands-on practice before your flight, check out the Russian classes at Polyglottist Language Academy to get travel-ready with expert instructors.

Why Learn Survival Russian Before Traveling?

Russia is a stunning and vast country, rich in culture and history, but it’s also a place where English is not widely spoken outside of major tourist spots. Learning even just a handful of basic phrases can truly make or break your travel experience.

When you speak even a few words of Russian, you’re not just a tourist—you become a traveler. You’re showing respect for the local culture and a willingness to engage. You’ll find that people are more willing to help, more open to conversation, and more likely to go out of their way to make your experience enjoyable.

Knowing survival Russian also gives you independence. You won’t have to rely as much on tour guides or translation apps. You’ll be able to navigate unfamiliar situations with ease, whether it’s reading a metro map, ordering in a busy cafe, or asking for help on the street. And in emergencies, the ability to communicate clearly—even minimally—can be critical.

In short, a little Russian goes a long way. It’s a small investment that pays off big in terms of safety, connection, and travel enjoyment.

Essential Russian Phrases for Tourists

Let’s start with the basics—phrases that you’ll use daily, whether you're arriving at the airport, checking into a hotel, or shopping at a market.

Greetings & Introductions

These are the foundation of polite interactions:

Здравствуйте! (Zdravstvuyte!) — Hello (formal)
Привет! (Privet!) — Hi (informal)
Как вас зовут? (Kak vas zovut?) — What’s your name?
Меня зовут... (Menya zovut...) — My name is...
Я из США. (Ya iz SShA.) — I’m from the USA.
Очень приятно. (Ochen’ priyatno.) — Nice to meet you.
До свидания! (Do svidaniya!) — Goodbye!

Polite Phrases

These will help you make a great first impression:

Спасибо (Spasibo) — Thank you
Пожалуйста (Pozhaluysta) — Please/You're welcome
Извините (Izvinite) — Excuse me / Sorry
Ничего страшного (Nichego strashnogo) — No problem / It’s okay
Я не говорю по-русски (Ya ne govoryu po-russki) — I don’t speak Russian
Говорите ли вы по-английски? (Govorite li vy po-angliyski?) — Do you speak English?

Useful Travel Phrases

Я турист. (Ya turist.) — I’m a tourist.
Можно спросить? (Mozhno sprosit’?) — May I ask?
Я ищу этот адрес. (Ya ishchu etot adres.) — I’m looking for this address.
Сколько это стоит? (Skol’ko eto stoit?) — How much is this?
Это слишком дорого. (Eto slishkom dorogo.) — That’s too expensive.
Где туалет? (Gde tualet?) — Where is the bathroom?
Вы можете помочь мне? (Vy mozhete pomoch’ mne?) — Can you help me?

Ordering Food in Russian Restaurants

Dining out in Russia is a must-do experience. Russian cuisine is rich, hearty, and diverse, ranging from borscht and pelmeni to stroganoff and blini. But menus may not always be in English, and not all waitstaff speak it. Here’s how to order food like a pro.

At the Entrance

У вас есть свободные столы? (U vas yest’ svobodnye stoly?) — Do you have a free table?
Мы хотим столик на двоих/троих. (My khotim stolik na dvoikh/troikh.) — We’d like a table for two/three.
Можно сесть у окна? (Mozhno sest’ u okna?) — Can we sit by the window?

Ordering

Я буду... (Ya budu...) — I’ll have...
Можно меню, пожалуйста? (Mozhno menyu, pozhaluysta?) — Can I have the menu, please?
Что вы рекомендуете? (Chto vy rekomenduyete?) — What do you recommend?
Я не ем мясо. (Ya ne yem myaso.) — I don’t eat meat.
Я вегетарианец/вегетарианка. (Ya vegetarianets/vegetarianka.) — I’m vegetarian (male/female).
У вас есть блюда без глютена? (U vas yest’ blyuda bez glyutena?) — Do you have gluten-free options?

Asking About Food

Это острое? (Eto ostroe?) — Is it spicy?
Что в этом блюде? (Chto v etom blyude?) — What’s in this dish?
Это горячее/холодное? (Eto goryachee/kholodnoe?) — Is it hot/cold?

Paying the Bill

Счёт, пожалуйста. (Schyot, pozhaluysta.) — The bill, please.
Можно оплатить картой? (Mozhno oplatit’ kartoy?) — Can I pay by card?
У вас есть сдача? (U vas yest’ sdacha?) — Do you have change?

Navigating Russian Transport Like a Pro

Getting around in Russia can feel overwhelming at first, especially with signs and announcements in Russian. But once you get the hang of some key phrases and tips, you’ll be moving like a local.

Public Transport

Где ближайшая станция метро? (Gde blizhayshaya stantsiya metro?) — Where is the nearest metro station?
В какую сторону этот поезд? (V kakuyu storonu etot poyezd?) — Which direction is this train going?
Сколько стоит билет? (Skol’ko stoit bilet?) — How much is a ticket?
Это автобус до центра? (Eto avtobus do tsentra?) — Is this the bus to the city center?
Когда следующая остановка? (Kogda sleduyushchaya ostanovka?) — When is the next stop?

Taxis & Ride Services

Мне нужно такси. (Mne nuzhno taksi.) — I need a taxi.
Покажите мне адрес. (Pokazhite mne adres.) — Show me the address.
Пожалуйста, поехали. (Pozhaluysta, poekhali.) — Let’s go, please.
Сколько будет стоить поездка? (Skol’ko budet stoit’ poyezdka?) — How much will the ride cost?
Можно включить счётчик? (Mozhno vklyuchit’ schyotchik?) — Can you turn on the meter?

Emergency Phrases: What to Say If You’re Lost

While no one wants to get lost or run into trouble, it’s best to be prepared. These phrases can be extremely helpful in difficult situations.

Я потерялся / Я потерялась. (Ya poteryalsya / poteryalas’) — I’m lost. (male/female)
Я не знаю, где я. (Ya ne znayu, gde ya.) — I don’t know where I am.
Помогите, пожалуйста. (Pomogite, pozhaluysta.) — Help me, please.
Где полиция? (Gde politsiya?) — Where is the police?
Я потерял паспорт. (Ya poteryal pasport.) — I lost my passport.
Мне нужна помощь. (Mne nuzhna pomoshch’) — I need help.
У меня украли сумку. (U menya ukrali sumku.) — My bag was stolen.
Мне плохо. (Mne plokho.) — I feel sick.

Practice Makes Perfect

Want to get comfortable using these phrases before your trip? Our in-person and online Russian classes at Polyglottist Language Academy are the perfect way to build confidence and real-world skills. Our courses are structured, supportive, and focused on practical communication.

Join our Russian classes in Berkeley, San Francisco, Oakland, or San Jose and get expert guidance in a fun, interactive environment. Whether you're brand new to Russian or brushing up before a big trip, we’ve got a course to fit your needs.

Final Travel Tips for Using Russian Abroad

Speak slowly and clearly. Russians appreciate clarity, and they’ll listen more patiently if you don’t rush.
Don’t worry about making mistakes—just try. Most locals will help you out if you’re making the effort.
Use gestures and context when stuck. Pointing or miming can bridge a gap when words fail.
Keep a cheat sheet of key phrases. It helps in markets, stations, and restaurants.
Learn Cyrillic to navigate signs more easily. It can help you read street names, menus, and train info.
Smile and stay polite. A positive attitude is often more important than perfect grammar.

With these tools and phrases, you'll feel more confident and prepared wherever your Russian adventures take you.