Given Russia’s extraordinary size, diverse landscape and climate, presenting packing lists for this country will need to be broken down on many levels. For a large part, the ultimate female packing list to Russia (in summer) will rely on the destinations within Russia, as well as the activities one plans to pursue.
For this packing list, we will assume that you are the typical female traveler doing some sightseeing in the major cities and then perhaps taking the Trans-Siberian or Trans-Mongolian train across the country. There will be no visit to Siberia involved in this packing list.
The area around St. Petersburg is quite northerly and therefore has a cooler temperature in the summer, just reaching an average high in the 70s (Fahrenheit). Nights here will be in the 50s, so it will feel chilly. Moscow also has cool summer weather with average highs around the 70s with a bit more precipitation than at other times of the year.
Clothing:
1 Tank top – For the mid-day heat.
2 T-shirts – Casual and great for layering.
2 Long-sleeve shirts – One t-shirt, one nicer. Great for layering.
1 Fleece vest – Perfect for keeping the core warm on chilly nights.
1 Skirt – Or, an infinity skirt or dress.
1 Convertible pants – Can be shorts or pants, or sometimes capris.
1 Yoga pants – Can be worn when sleeping, on train or when exercising.
1 Leggings – Can be worn for warmth under skirt or pants.
5-6 Undies – Have you tried the Exofficio?
2-3 Bras – 1 Sport for more active days.
5-6 socks – This depends on the shoes you plan to wear. 3 pairs work for when planning to wear Chacos most of the time.
Swimsuit – For diving into Lake Baikal.
Pack towel – A condensed form of a towel that’s great for travel.
Sarong – Can be used for swimsuit wrap or as a decorative scarf.
Shoes:
Walking shoes – You’ll stick out sorely in Russia where women love high heels, but your feet won’t hurt at least.
Chacos – Great for walking long distances.
Shower flip flops – For the grimy showers.
(High heels – If you want to fit in.)
Read more about choosing the right shoes for your RTW >>
Toiletries:
Shampoo/Conditioner – Travel-sized bottles work best.
Soap – I usually start off with a half-bar of soap.
Toothbrush/Paste – A fold-up toothbrush is great.
Deodorant – Avoid aerosols.
Razor – One with multiple blades works well for the ladies.
Make-up or Beauty cream – This varies by traveler.
Sunblock – Even just a small travel tube is better than none.
Brush – A collapsible, foldable kind is best.
Hair ties – Can be used to tie greasy hair back while on the train, or to close food packages and more.
Washing items – Detergent, clothes line, sink plug for hand-washing on the road.
Diva cup – Or your preferred form of menstrual cup.
Condoms – You never know.
Motion-sickness pills – Gravol is great for sleep and sickness involved with travel.
Prescriptions – These vary by traveler.
Protection from Elements:
Sleep sack – Great for sleeping in grimy hostel beds or when using bedding on the train.
Rain gear – Either a pocket-sized umbrella or a poncho.
Sunglasses – It may not be sweltering hot, but it may be sunny.
Ziplock bags – For toiletries, food and other small bits.
Waterproof bags – Great for electronics or documents you want to stay dry.
Tech Gear:
Laptop: If you can handle being without it, then that’s probably better… but it does make life more interesting.
IPhone – Topped up with female travel apps.
Chargers – So important.
Adapter – A universal adapter would be a smart move.
Security:
Money belt – For storing important things under your clothes.
Padlock – For hostel lockers, etc.
Other:
Guide book – They’re helpful especially in places like Russia where asking for help is difficult.
Language book – To translate and learn some basic phrases when necessary.
Novel – For entertainment.
Pens/Paper – For notes, etc.
Passport – Obviously with a visa inside.
Every traveler and every trip is different, so the ultimate female travel packing list to Russia will also vary. If you are a more luxurious traveler, perhaps you are staying in Russian apartment rentals instead of hostels or hotels and wouldn’t need to have the sleep sack, the hand-washing laundry kit, or even the padlock. There is just so much to consider.
When it comes to money, some US dollars, along with a debit card and a credit card work for me. I also like to carry a few travelers checks with me just in case. Put these items in your money belt (and don’t access that in public!).
For travelers looking to go out and experience the nightlife in Moscow or St. Petersburg, some different clothing would make you blend in better (and even get in the club to begin with). The Russian women are known to dress with short skirts and tight tops, along with high heels, so you can do that there if you please. However, there are still places where you’d be better off going inconspicuously.
What else would you recommend for a backpacker’s trip to Russia?
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Hi, I’m going to be in Russia this August – September for about three weeks, riding the Trans Siberian Railway from Moscow to Vladivostok. I’m just wondering what type of bag you used while traveling, a backpack or rolling suitcase? I’m traveling with my grandfather, so it’s more slow travel, staying in hotels and traveling in the First Class train cars. Right now, I have my eye on a large Kipling rolling duffle, b/c it rolls and has a shoulder strap (you’d think more rolling duffles would have shoulder straps, but they don’t!). I’m also considering a backpack, which could be more useful than a rolling duffle for future trips, but I just wanted to know what you recommend for use on the trains. Thanks!
Hi Anna, It depends on how much stuff you bring. WIth your grandfather it is probably best to pack carry-on sized rolling luggage. Pack light! Getting on and off the train will be a small pain. Also you’ll need to be able to store your luggage in your room, underneath the bench, etc.
I used the Ebags Motherlode Weekender Convertible backpack and was fine.
I went to Russia last summer, and lived in Eastern Europe for a year before that. Personally, I think that this list is a little heavy on the “preparing for chilly weather” side and doesn’t pay enough attention to the fact that Russians are a rather formal bunch. You will stick out wearing zip-off pants, a wind breaker, a fleece vest, etc.
When I went, keep in mind that I only stayed in the western side and didn’t do any extended travel on buses or trains, I brought two maxi dresses that became outfit staples. I could easily toss on a sweater or slide leggings underneath when it got colder, even wear runners underneath for the days that I was walking 12+hours, all the while being appropriately dressed for churches, fancier restaurants and an impromptu ballet.
Another important addition to the list would be a pashmina scarf. It works great as a shawl when things get a little chillier at dusk, in my opinion better so than a sarong, and is key for visiting Orthodox churches where women are expected to cover their heads.
When I went, there were days where I could hardly stand myself under endless sun and stifling heat, and others that I battled wind and rain. Some days saw both sides of the weather spectrum intermittently. Be prepared for quick chances in the weather.
Hi Natasha,
Thanks for your feedback! I do agree that Russians and Eastern Europeans are pretty formal. I taught English in Ukraine and went across Russia last summer, so yes, if you plan to blend in in the cities a more formal attire is great. If doing a train trip or heading to places a bit more remote for a few days here and there then I think packing light and having durable gear (for all seasons) is more the target. We went from near 0 at Lake Baikal to 30C in Irkutsk in just a couple hours! Crazy change!
Also very worth adding toilet paper or handy-pack tissues!
Ok as a russian myself who travels there from the uk every year ill give you some real things that you should take and things you should bear in mind.
First of all this article is totally exaggerating how much russian women wear heels. Its not the 90’s people have moved on. Most young or youngish women wear gladiator sandals and other flat/low heeled shoes in the summer unless theyre out on a date or going to a night club. So you dont need heels to ‘fit in’. Secondly the weather in moscow and st petersburg can get pretty damn hot in the summer so pack breathable clothes a portable fan sunglasses and a sunhat. I totally agree that a pashmina is a far more sensible choice than a sarong for a cover up! Unless youre young do NOT wear shorts in cities you will get funny looks and may not be allowed in certain resturants and places of interest. Bring a mosquito repellant as there are loads of nasty blood suckers around. If you bring a bikini make it preferably dark as the lakes are often quite muddy (not dirty just very natural lol). Russians in big cities are NOT formal at all especially the younger people. But yes, among older people you may stand out if youre not formal. Bring a raincoat! The weather there is less predictable than in the UK! I would also advise you to carry hand sanitizer, your passport and documents and ofcourse toilet paper at all times!!! Make sureyou carry all that in a secure zip bag and by no means wear a rucksack unless it has an industrial strength padlock!!! Never leave your items unattended try not to get into trouble as Russian authorities are not known for their hospitality or merciful nature. Other than that have fun and enjpy your trip!
Irkutsk/Lake Baikal IS SIBERIA. Please don’t perpetuate the stereotype of “Siberia” as an epithet to mean frozen wasteland. Also, this list is great for someone who isn’t ashamed to be seen and treated as a tourist. Real Russian young women, however, are normally very fashionable and although their fashion sense can be pretty different from the US (sometimes it seems like trends are 5-10 years behind), people do not do low key or “bumming it” outfits outside the home.
I agree, a pashmina scarf is super essential. Also, people just do not wear shorts very often.
YES BRING TISSUES to use as emergency toilet paper…or prepare for some wild stories.