Accesability :
5/10 There are planes from everywhere, but there is the hassle with getting a visa. A visa is supposed to be a bit tricky to get, but it really isn't. Most hotels can send you an invitation (for a cost) even if it's stated everywhere that this isn't enough. Even the traincompany offers to send you a letter of invitation. But then there's the part of getting the invitation transformed into a visa which means you have to complete some forms online and then go to the consulate, and if you screw up you have to do everything once more. However, it's easier than it seems, but a lot more than visa on arrival.

 

Language skills :
3/10 very different from place to place and city to ciyt. E.g. St.Petersburg is much more skilled on average than Moscow, and if you go to some of the smaller cities they will usually know nothing but russian.

 

Value for money :
7/10 From what I'd read it should be quite expensive in Moscow at least, but I do not agree. Hotels are expensive, but most other purshases like food or some basic items are a lot cheaper. As in most countries it gets cheaper when you move away from the major cities.

 

Transport :
9/10 Trains are excellent, subway works perfectly, and offers some nice sights as well

 

Do :
Drink vodka with pigs fat and pickles.

Bortsj

 

Don't :
Fall for standard tourist scams like follow girls to a bar where you get robbed (didn't happen to me)