Traveling through Russia

Reznik

My brother is going to be traveling through Russia and is looking at either couch surfing or staying in a hostel. There are various parties who think the couch surfing is a bad idea.

So. Is it a bad idea? Is Russia a scary place where my brother is going to get robbed or stabbed by gangsters or whatever sensational stereotypes there are about Russia?

(I'm not sure of his travel plans but I know he is at least going to be in Moscow for a bit)

Basically, what is your general advice for a Canadian and his Scottish friend as they travel through Russia on their way to Korea.

Daemonion

While I was planning my trip to Russia, reading these articles helped me, although they may not all be applicable to your brother. He can also try to get in touch with the young dude who wrote a good amount of these articles.

Visa stuff
Volunteering in Russia 1
Volunteering in Russia 2
Summer Travel
Budget Travel
Studying in Russia
Work in Russia

adytum

Russia's kind of an unsafe place in any regard, for a lot of reasons.

BUT

Couchsurfing has a vetting system for users. Has your brother ever used CS before?

Sneakert

Russia isn't that unsafe. If your brother has experience with travel abroad he should be fine. Don't flash with your money, avoid rough neighbourhoods, etc. use common sense.

Just be sure to tell him not to drink any unlabeled vodka. Only buy (labeled) vodka in a decent looking liquor store.

Reznik

My brother has used Couchsurfing before. I can't remember where exactly but it was in the US. He has done a ton of traveling in the US but nothing overseas until now.

Will pass on those articles and the bit about the vodka.

Tlex

Russia is a far more dangerous country than most other first world nations. Wouldn't he be better just getting a ticket on the Trans Siberian Express? . It'll be a great bar story(and he won't die).