How to Use a Cell Phone in Russia

Many people travel to Russia each year to escape their lives at home and experience new culture. Escaping reality is always exciting, but it's also calming to know that family members are just a dial tone away. While you're absorbing Red Square and watching a ballet at Bolshoi Theatre, you want to make sure that you are able to use your cell phone in the case of an emergency. Using a cell phone in Russia is easy if you follow the correct procedures.

Things You'll Need

• Plug adapter
• List of important phone numbers
• Transformer

Instructions

1. Obtain the correct plug adapters from an electronics store before you leave home so that you can charge your cell phone while in Russia. Russia uses plug types "C" and "F."

2. Purchase a transformer that can handle 220 volts, which is the voltage used in Russia, to use when charging your cell phone. Your cell phone will likely fry if you do not use the correct transformer.

3. Call your cell phone provider to make sure that they offer phone coverage in Russia. Ask to be upgraded to international roaming.

4. Consider renting a cell phone or SIM card to use with your personal cell phone if your cellular company does not offer coverage in Russia.

5. Know how to dial locally within Russia. If you are dialing a place in Russia with the same area code as which you are calling, just dial the number. If the number has a different area code, dial "8," plus the area code, plus the phone number.

6. Know how to call the United States from Russia. First dial "8**10" (this is the international prefix to dial outside of Russia). Then dial "1" (this is the international code used to dial to the U.S.). Follow that by the area code and phone number.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to charge your cell phone each night using the correct plug adapter and transformer.