travel tips ► PUBLIC TOILETS

There are very few public toilets in Russia. Usually you can find them in some parks or on certain streets but there really aren't many. Look for the M for men and Æ for ladies signs. It is much more practical to use bathrooms in hotels, cafes or restaurants than to run around and look for public toilets, and better yet they are free. Just walk in and ask; the people in these places are usually pretty good about letting you use them (that is, if you are a foreigner - they just think "Oh, stupid foreigner, why not?" Russians usually don't get as many privileges unless they happen to be a young, pretty lady). Places like MacDonalds are particularly good. Just walk inside and go straight to the toilet without asking anyone.