10+5 phrases in Russian that will help you avoid getting lost while traveling

1. Как пройти к…? [Kak proyti k…?] – How to get/walk to…?

Ask for directions to a specific place. For example: "Как пройти к Кремлю?" ("How to get to the Moscow Kremlin?")

2. Как доехать до…? [Kak doekhat do…?] – How to get to..?

If the destination is far and you need transportation. "Как доехать до Эрмитажа?" ("How to get to the Hermitage?")

3. Где находится…? [Gde nakhoditsya…?] – Where is…?

A universal question. You can ask about a bus stop, a bank or a hotel. "Где находится метро?" ("Where is the subway?")

4. Сколько стоит проезд? [Skolko stoit proezd?] – How much is the fare?

5. Какая следующая станция? [Kakaya sleduyushaya stanziya?] – What’s the next stop? 

If you're talking about ground transport, then it's better to say "остановка" (ostanovka – stop).

6. Остановите здесь. [Ostanovite zdes] – Stop here. 

This phrase will come in handy if you need to request a stop on the bus or tell a taxi driver to stop where you're pointing on a map.

7. Вы выходите? [Vy vykodite?] – Are you getting off/out?

A polite way to ask the person next to you on public transport so you can get to the exit.

8. Мне нужен билет до… [Mne nuzhen bilet do…] – I need a ticket to…

A phrase for buying a ticket at the ticket office. "Мне нужен билет до Владивостока" (“I need a ticket to Vladivostok”).

9. Сколько мы будем ехать? [Skolko my budem ekhat?] – How long does it take? 

You can ask this to a taxi driver, a fellow passenger or the station cashier. "Сколько мы будем ехать до Третьяковской галереи?" (“How long does it take to get to the Tretyakov Gallery”?)

10. Вы могли бы помочь мне вызвать такси? [Vy mogli by pomoch mne vyzvat taxi?] – Could you help me order a taxi? 

If you don't have a taxi app, you can ask a hotel employee, an airport worker or even a passerby for help.

BONUS: 5 key words for communication

In Russian, politeness starts with five words. Without them, phrases sound like orders.

1. Здравствуйте! [Zdravstvuyte] – Hello. This is a formal greeting for strangers and elders. The word is long, but they love it.

2. Извините! [Izvinite] – Excuse me. The universal way to start any request. Want to ask for directions or get past someone? Start with this.

3. Спасибо! [Spasibo] — Thank you. Self-explanatory.

4. Пожалуйста [Pozhaluysta] - Please. The magic word. It also means: "You're welcome!"

5. До свидания [Do svidaniya] - Goodbye! A polite way to say farewell.

And remember, you can plan your trip to Russia on the ‘Discover Russia’ portal!