How to call Russia | In-depth guide with examples

Connecting with Russia from the United States is essential for various reasons, ranging from business to personal.

With its pivotal sectors such as energy, mining, and technology—along with its profound cultural history and diverse culinary offerings—Russia presents vast opportunities for international business and personal interactions.

Mastering the nuances of communication with this influential Eurasian country is key to developing these relationships.

Guide to calling Russia

Before dialing, ensure you're aware of the rates charged by your carrier for international calls to Russia. You should also make sure your connection is reliable to avoid any issues caused by latency or choppy voice transmission.

1. Check the time in Russia

When making a call to Russia, it’s crucial to understand the time difference. Russia spans multiple time zones, from UTC+2 to UTC+12, making it essential to know the specific region you're calling.

Checking the local time in the intended Russian region before making a call ensures it’s placed at a suitable time for the recipient.

2. Dial the exit code

The U.S. exit code is 011. This code signals that you are making an international call.

3. Enter Russia’s country code

Dial Russia's country code (+7) to direct your call to Russia.

4. Dial the area code and local number

The process for calling a Russian landline can be different than calling a mobile number. Here’s what you should do:

For a landline

Dial the area code for the specific Russian region you're calling. These area codes are typically three to five digits long. Russian landline numbers are typically five to seven digits long.

For example, to reach a landline in Moscow with area code 495 and local number 1234567, you would dial 011-7-495-1234567.

For a mobile phone

Directly dial the mobile number after the country code. Russian mobile numbers typically start with a 9 and are followed by nine additional digits.

For instance, to call a Russian mobile number like 9123456789, you would dial 011-7-9123456789.

Tips for a successful call

Before placing a call to Russia, ensure you have a strong connection to avoid dropped calls. However, it’s still important to have a plan in case of technical issues. For instance, if the call drops, know whether to call back or wait for the other party to call you.

Having an understanding of and respect for Russian business culture and etiquette is also critical. Some things to keep in mind include:

• Russian business communication tends to be direct and straightforward. While being clear about your objectives, it's also important to maintain formality and respect.
• Russians may have more reserved body language and less expressive facial expressions compared to some Western cultures. Don’t interpret this as unfriendliness. It’s simply a cultural difference.
• While many Russian business professionals speak English, not everyone may be fluent. Speak clearly, avoid slang, and be prepared to clarify or rephrase if needed. Using some basic Russian phrases can be seen as a sign of respect.

Finally, as with calling any country, it’s important to be patient and flexible, as the pace of business might differ from what you're used to in the U.S.

Considerations for Russia

Calls to Russia, like any international destination, can be influenced by various factors. Here's an overview of the key elements that could affect your calls, including language, time differences, and other considerations:

Language and culture

Russian is the official language, and it’s widely spoken across the country. Common Russian greetings include:

• Zdravstvuyte—A formal greeting meaning "Hello."
• Dobroye utro/den/vecher—Time-specific greetings for morning, afternoon, and evening.
• Kak dela?—A casual way to start a conversation, asking "How are you?"

Beyond Russian, there are numerous regional languages and dialects that contribute to the country's cultural richness.

In regions like Tatarstan and Siberia, languages such as Tatar and various Siberian languages introduce their own unique greetings and expressions, reflecting the nation's diverse linguistic heritage.

For example, in Tatar, "Isänmesez” is a common greeting that means “Hello.” And "Nichek sez?” is used to inquire "How are you?" These regional languages and dialects, along with Russian, illustrate the complex linguistic mosaic of Russia.

Time zones

Timing is crucial when making international calls. Russia spans 11 time zones—the second most time zones of any country. Here's a quick guide to the time difference in several major cities:

It’s important to note that Moscow is the financial center of Russia. Many major cities, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, operate on Moscow Standard Time.

How much does it cost to call Russia?

Call charges to Russia can vary based on your carrier, the duration of the call, and the time of day. Check with your service provider for detailed rates.

Carrier rates are particularly significant, as different service providers offer varying tariffs for international calls.

These rates can fluctuate based on the type of plan you have, whether it's a standard pay-as-you-go rate or a specialized international calling plan. Some carriers might offer discounted rates for calls to Russia during off-peak hours or as part of a bundle that includes a set number of international minutes.

It's advisable to thoroughly review your carrier's pricing structure and any available international calling packages to ensure cost-effective communication.

Additionally, the duration of your call plays a crucial role in determining the overall cost.

Longer calls will incur higher charges, making it important to manage the length of your conversations, especially if you're on a pay-per-minute plan. The time of day when you place the call can also impact the cost due to varying peak and off-peak rates.

Calls made during peak hours are often more expensive compared to those made during off-peak times, such as late evenings or weekends, depending on your carrier's specific rate schedule.

Being mindful of these factors and planning your calls accordingly can help in managing communication expenses effectively while staying connected with contacts in Russia.

Make affordable calls to Russia with Telnyx

With these tips and recommendations, you're ready to call Russia with confidence.

If you’re looking for more guidance on global calling, Telnyx’s team of experts can help you navigate the complexities of international communication.

Telnyx is a next-gen communications platform that offers a global private IP network, multi-cloud redundancy, and carrier-grade services. Our elastic SIP trunking services make it easy to call nearly every country in the world. We also offer support and guidance to help you grow and scale your business.

With competitive pricing and a wide variety of local phone numbers in over 140 countries, Telnyx provides cost-effective calling solutions with unmatched expertise.

Contact our experts today to learn how we can help your business communicate effectively with contacts in Russia and 140+ other countries.