• In Moscow, some bank branches are open on Saturday (shortened business hours, usually until 5:00–7:00 PM) and a smaller share are open on Sunday. Flagship offices and branches inside large shopping malls keep longer hours.
• On Sunday, the FX desk is closed at most "ordinary" branches. What's open are flagship offices in the centre, locations inside large shopping malls, and airport FX desks.
• Weekend rates usually don't differ much from weekday rates. The exchange is closed, so the bank sets its rate off Friday's close with a conservative adjustment — the spread can be slightly wider than usual.
• The widget on this page lists each bank's operating hours. Check the specific branch rather than "the bank in general".
• If nothing is open, in-app conversion to an FX account works 24/7. Pick up the cash on Monday.

Below is a detailed breakdown: which zones and branch formats are open on weekends, what's special about the rate, and what to do if you need a cash desk urgently.

Why weekend exchange is harder

Most bank branches in Moscow operate on a "five-day-plus" schedule — Monday to Friday plus Saturday as a short day. Sunday is a day off for most. The same applies to FX desks.

On top of that, the Moscow Exchange is closed on weekends. That means banks don't have a "fresh" exchange-traded rate, and they set their cash-desk rate for the weekend with a conservative buffer. The spread on Saturday and Sunday is often wider than on a weekday — banks hedge against currency moves that may happen by Monday.

The upshot: Saturday is a working day, but a "pricier" one. Sunday is mostly quiet, with just a few categories of locations still running.

What's open on Saturday

Most branches of the major banks in Moscow are open on Saturday with shortened hours — usually until 5:00–7:00 PM. That applies to branches in residential districts as well as central offices.

Flagship offices in the centre stay open a little longer — until 7:00–9:00 PM depending on the bank. Tverskaya, Nikolskaya, Kuznetsky Most, Moscow City.

Branches inside shopping malls are the most "weekend-friendly" format: they usually keep mall hours, meaning until 9:00–10:00 PM.

Airport FX desks — 24/7 or close to it.

The widget on this page shows, for each bank, exactly which branches are open on Saturday:

What's open on Sunday

This list is much shorter.

Flagship offices in the centre. Some of them are open on Sunday, usually with short hours (for example, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM). The full list changes constantly — check the website of the specific bank.

Branches inside large shopping malls. This format reliably runs on Sunday on mall hours — typically from 11:00 AM to noon through 9:00–10:00 PM. Moscow's anchor malls are Afimall City (Moscow City), Metropolis (Voykovskaya), Evropeisky (Kievskaya), Aviapark (Khodynka), Atrium (Kurskaya), and Vegas (MKAD).

Airport FX desks. SVO, DME, VKO — 24/7 or close to it.

Premium branches. Some of them are open on Sunday by appointment. This is a solution for large transactions, not for everyday exchange.

Branches in residential districts are usually closed on Sunday.

Comparison table: branch format — weekend hours

What's special about the rate on weekends

The exchange is closed. That shapes how the bank sets its cash-desk rate. On weekends, banks typically set the rate at "Friday's close, plus or minus an adjustment for the expected move by Monday". In stable periods, that means Saturday and Sunday rates are close to Friday's. In unstable ones, the bank may widen the spread by 30–50 kopecks.

Fewer branches — a wider gap. If on a weekday you have a choice of 15 banks in the centre, on Sunday it's 3 or 4. The difference between the best and the average rate can be larger.

Fewer transactions — more caution at banks. Cash-desk limits on weekends can be stricter. For example, to withdraw a large cash sum in foreign currency, the bank may ask you to file a request in advance.

What to do if you need a cash desk on Sunday

If the amount is small (up to the equivalent of 200 USD/EUR). Head to a branch inside a large shopping mall. It's the most convenient format: long hours, a standard rate, parking and a metro station nearby.

If the amount is medium (200–1,500 USD/EUR). Same mall, but call the specific bank ahead and check whether they actually have cash currency at the desk on Sunday. Cash reserves can be lower on weekends.

If the amount is large (over 1,500 USD/EUR). Better to wait until Monday or arrange a Sunday visit to a premium branch by appointment. A large amount + Sunday + a random cash desk is a weak combination.

If it's urgent at night — an airport FX desk. More detail on 24/7 exchange in Moscow and airport FX desks.

If non-cash works — in-app conversion runs 24/7. Buy the currency to your account now and pick up the cash on Monday.

Where to see which branches are open

In the widget at the start of the article, you can see each bank's branch addresses and their operating hours. Double-check those hours on the specific bank's website before you go — especially before public holidays. The schedule can change.

On the major public holidays (New Year, the May holidays, June 12, November 4), the schedule is even shorter than on ordinary weekends. On those dates only airport FX desks and a handful of central flagship offices are usually open.

Step-by-step plan for a weekend exchange

1. Assess the urgency. Can it wait until Monday? If yes, better to wait.
2. Open the widget. Pick 3 or 4 banks with the best rate.
3. Check branch hours. See which of those banks are open right now.
4. Call before you go. Confirm they have the currency at the desk.
5. Head over. The best format for Sunday is a branch inside a large shopping mall.
6. Bring your passport. More on when it's required.
7. Allow some time. On weekends, banks can get queues from people who didn't make it during the week.

Where to read next

• 24/7 currency exchange in Moscow — what's open at night.
• Currency exchange at Moscow airports — round-the-clock FX desks.
• When is the best time to exchange currency in Russia — on time of day and day of the week.

FAQ

Can you exchange currency in Moscow on Saturday?

Yes — most branches of the major banks are open on Saturday with shortened hours, usually until 5:00–7:00 PM. Flagship offices and branches inside shopping malls keep longer hours.

Are banks open on Sunday?

Some branches, yes. Flagship offices in the centre, branches inside large shopping malls, and airport FX desks. Ordinary branches in residential districts are usually closed on Sunday.

Is the rate worse on weekends?

Not by much. The exchange is closed, so banks may widen the spread by 30–50 kopecks compared with Friday. On everyday amounts that's negligible.

Which Moscow shopping malls with bank branches are open on Sunday?

Afimall City (Moscow City), Metropolis (Voykovskaya), Evropeisky (Kievskaya), Aviapark (Khodynka), Atrium (Kurskaya), Vegas (MKAD), Gagarinsky, Kapitoliy — and that's far from a complete list. Most large shopping malls have FX desks of the major banks.

Can you exchange a large sum on Sunday?

From the equivalent of 2,000 USD/EUR on a Sunday, it's better to go through a premium branch by appointment rather than walk-in. A "random" Sunday cash desk may not have the amount you need.

What about public holidays?

On the major holidays (the New Year holidays, the May holidays, June 12, November 4), bank hours are even shorter. What's mostly open are airport FX desks and a handful of flagship offices. Check the specific bank's website.