Purchasing Power in Moscow: What You Can Buy with 100 Rubles

When traveling or living in Moscow, every ruble counts. Understanding the purchasing power of 100 rubles can provide valuable insight into daily life and expenses in the Russian capital. This article explores what you can purchase with this amount, from meal options to bigger ticket items like flights and winter clothing.

Meal Options

Whether you're looking for a casual meal at a cafe or a more indulgent experience with makeup, 100 rubles opens up several options:

Lunch and Dinner in Cafes: Enjoy a simple lunch in a local cafe or splurge on a night out with a lipstick lipliner and mascara. Public Transport Pass: Buy a 90-day unlimited public transport pass for 5,490 rubles, which is more than 50 times the amount available. You can have a nice dinner for two at a Vietnamese or Uzbek cafe with the remaining 800 rubles. Many visitors report that these fastfood options in Russia are just as good, if not better, than in the United States or Canada.

Subjects and Utilities

100 rubles can also cover some basic subjects and utilities:

Apartment Rental: Rent an apartment for 3 days near the Kremlin. While this may seem like a short stay, it can provide a valuable experience of living close to one of the city's main attractions.

Utility Costs: 100 rubles is loosely comparable to the monthly utilities for a 51 square meter (550 square feet) one-bedroom apartment in the US terms in Moscow without any kind of social discount. This suggests that while long-term living might be challenging with such a budget, it can still cover basic needs temporarily.

Bigger Tickets Items and Experiences

With 100 rubles, you can also explore other forms of entertainment and practical purchases like:

Winter Clothing: Purchase a full set of winter clothes and footwear at a second-hand or discount clothing shop, or an ultralight down coat from Uniqlo or Decathlon. These items can last from one to even five winters, depending on the quality and use. Appliance Purchases: Buy a decent refrigerator, washing machine, or a fancy coffeemaker. Alternatively, a used DSLR kit from Avito, which is similar to Craigslist, can allow you to take high-quality photos. Smartphones or Tablets: Get a low to mid-range smartphone or tablet, new or used, from Avito. This can be useful for staying connected and managing your day-to-day activities. Flight or Train Tickets: Buy a one-way or return airplane ticket that allows you to fly several thousand kilometers within Russia or abroad. Alternatively, you can travel by sleeper train, such as a second-class sleeper train to Samara for around 11 hours, or a third-class sleeper to Yekaterinburg for about 25 hours. You might also consider a cheaper return trip in economy/second-class on the Sapsan speed train to St. Petersburg.

Conclusion

While 100 rubles may not cover the cost of a substantial meal with friends or a large shopping trip, it can still be a useful amount for short-term expenses and small indulgences. Understanding the purchasing power of your currency in a new city can help you make the most of your time and budget.

The purchasing power of 100 rubles in Moscow is comparable to that of cities like Phoenix, AZ, or San Antonio, TX. This can help you plan your budget more effectively and enjoy the city's offerings to the fullest.