Originally Posted by
OpenSky
Cash ( Dollars) might have been king in the Yeltsin years, but that was 18-20 years ago? Times change
Contactless
Apple Pay
Is what most modern establishments in the capital use. Including my favorite bar / hangout.
The problem you will have is with CHIP and PIN if you have a US credit card. Be prepared to sign the a long scroll of paper, and some awkward stares. People are not used to it.
The one thing I like about Russia, is they are really proud of the Ruble and local legislation does not permit dynamic currency conversion, which is forced upon you if you have a Euro/Dollar card in places like Dubai etc. All payments must be made in Rubles.
Google Pay too. I never take my wallet with me.... normally I just take the leather "cardholder",(which only has space for plastic cards) that Tinkoff Bank gave me with the card.
I think the swipe cards should be fine. Although there is a requirement for all the local banks here to equip the cards with the Chip&Pin technology (since 2014 I believe), there are still some old cards in circulation which have to be swiped. There are also some people who are ideologically against the idea of entering the PIN and who insist on swiping the card and signing the slip instead (you have to show a Passport to the merchant in this case).