USD To RUB: Convert United States Dollar to Russian Ruble - Forbes Advisor (2024)

The U.S. government is recommending against traveling to Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine. But if you still have a trip on the books, you may want to learn to convert U.S. dollars to rubles. This post has all that you need to know about converting USD to RUB, including where to find the best exchange rates and where you’ll pay the highest fees,

How to convert US Dollars to Rubles

It’s fairly easy to calculate a conversion of U.S. dollars to rubles. You can either use a currency calculator for the equation or do it by hand. Here’s a closer look at each method:

1. Use a Currency Calculator

Using a currency conversion calculator is a smart way to estimate what you’ll get once you’re ready to exchange funds. Since exchange rates change quickly, using a calculator can ensure the information you’re getting is accurate and up-to-date.

Bear in mind that exchanging currency usually comes with fees attached, which will likely not be taken into account by your calculator. For instance, most credit card processors and ATM networks charge a 1% conversion fee on all foreign transactions. Foriegn merchants may also impose additional fees if you ask them to convert a price into USD at checkout.

2. Calculate It Manually

The other option is to do the conversion manually. However, if you’re going to go this route, you’ll need to look up the current exchange rate. At the time of writing, $1 USD is equivalent to 57.54 RUB.

Manual Currency Conversion Example

Let’s say that you have $500 USD and you’d like to know how much you’d have to spend if you took a trip to Russia. At the current exchange rate, your conversion equation would look like this:

$500 USD x 57.54 = 29,25028,770 RUB

How To Buy Rubles

Exchange at a bank or credit union before your trip: Ordering currency from your local banking institution is usually the most cost-effective way to make an exchange. Since you already have a relationship with your bank, they’re likely to give you the best exchange rate and charge you the fewest fees. For example, Bank of America doesn’t charge its account holders an exchange fee. However, it does charge a shipping fee of $7.50 on orders less than $1,000.

Order currency online: If your bank doesn’t allow online orders, you can also exchange currency through third-party providers like Xe. It’s important to make sure that you understand the fees before using these services. For example, Xe charges a 2.99% fee on transfers made from USD.

Use your bank’s ATM abroad for withdrawals where possible: If you need more money while you’re away, try to use your bank or an in-network ATM to exchange funds. You’ll be charged the fewest fees this way. Plus, most banking apps have an ATM locator feature to help you find your closest option.

What to avoid:

• Don’t use the exchange kiosk at the airport: While these airport kiosks may sound like an easy option to exchange currency, you’ll often find a better deal elsewhere. They offer some of the worst exchange rates and charge some of the highest fees.
• Avoid currency exchange offices: In Russia, you’ll often find currency exchange offices located near big attractions and key transit stations. Watch out for high exchange fees at these offices.

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