Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Indian travelers visiting Moscow now have a convenient new way to manage their spending and enjoy their trip with ease. Sber, Russia’s largest bank, has launched a state-of-the-art travel and banking center on Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street, just a short walk from the iconic Red Square. This center offers Indian tourists—and all international visitors—a valuable service: the ability to obtain the Tourist Card, a specially designed payment card powered by the Russian MIR system. This card is especially useful in Russia, where major international payment networks like VISA and Mastercard are not accepted widely.
The Sber travel and banking office is not just a place to get a payment card. It serves as a multifunctional hub combining the full capabilities of a bank with a Tourist Information Center. Here, travelers can find essential support services to enhance their Moscow experience. Whether you need to exchange currency, transfer money, or simply plan your sightseeing itinerary, the center’s expert staff are on hand to assist. Tourist Information specialists are fluent in Russian, English, and Arabic, ensuring clear communication for a diverse range of visitors. Bank employees speak both Russian and English, facilitating smooth banking transactions.
Visitors picking up their Tourist Card will benefit from a cashless payment option that works seamlessly throughout Moscow. The card operates on the Russian MIR payment network, making it compatible with local merchants, public transportation, museums, restaurants, and more. This means tourists can avoid carrying large amounts of cash or worrying about finding places that accept their foreign cards. The Tourist Card requires no monthly fees, making it a cost-effective solution for travelers looking to manage their expenses efficiently while exploring the city.
In addition to practical banking and payment services, the Sber travel center offers thoughtful amenities designed to make visits comfortable and enjoyable. There is a welcoming lounge where travelers can relax, enjoy traditional Moscow snacks, and sample beverages from The Moscow Tea Shop. This creates a pleasant environment for unwinding between sightseeing or planning the next leg of the trip. Parents will appreciate the dedicated children’s play area, developed in collaboration with the famous animation studio “Soyuzmultfilm,” renowned for its classic Soviet-era cartoons. This space gives kids a fun and safe place to play while their families organize their travel plans.
To help visitors make the most of their stay, the center provides free informational booklets about Moscow’s top attractions and cultural highlights. These guides are available in multiple languages, including Russian, English, Chinese, and Arabic, making it easy for international guests to access useful travel tips and maps. Personalized travel advice is also available, allowing tourists to tailor their itineraries based on individual interests, whether they prefer historic sites, culinary tours, or cultural experiences.
Understanding the importance of digital convenience for today’s travelers, Sber has integrated the Tourist Card with Yoomoney, a digital payment platform. Tourists can create a Yoomoney account and obtain a virtual Tourist Card before they even leave their home country, using only a phone number without needing a Russian SIM card. This virtual card can be used via the YooMoney app for cashless payments, including QR code scanning and NFC tapping for Android users. iOS users can pay by scanning QR codes, a method widely accepted across Moscow. For those who prefer a physical card, it can be ordered in advance and delivered directly to their home or hotel. Once in Moscow, topping up the card is simple through ATMs that support Yoomoney, using local currency for hassle-free reloads.
This new service comes at a time when Moscow is seeing a significant increase in visitors from India. In 2024 alone, nearly eighty-six thousand Indian tourists explored the city, marking a 1.4 times growth compared to 2023. This impressive rise highlights Moscow’s growing reputation as a vibrant, world-class travel destination that appeals to global tourists seeking rich culture, history, and modern urban experiences.
With the convenience of the Tourist Card and the support of Sber’s travel and banking center, Indian travelers to Moscow can enjoy a seamless and comfortable visit. The combination of cashless payments, multilingual assistance, tailored travel planning, and family-friendly amenities ensures that exploring Russia’s capital is easier and more enjoyable than ever before. Whether navigating historic landmarks, savoring local cuisine, or using public transport, the Tourist Card equips visitors with the financial flexibility and peace of mind to fully immerse themselves in the Moscow experience.
