Five Things Russian Tourists Should Never Skimp On, According to an Expert

When planning a vacation, cutting corners can sometimes cost you more than just money. Oksana Vlasenko, an expert from the package tour booking service OnlineTours, recently shared five areas where Russian travelers should avoid pinching pennies.

First on her list is private airport transfers. While they cost more than shared shuttles, they save you from waiting for a bus to stop at every hotel along the way. Next, she advises paying to select your seats on the plane. "Some travelers skip paid seat selection, hoping to get seats together for free at check-in. But the risk is you could end up sitting far apart. And by then, it's often too late to pay for adjacent seats because they're already taken," Vlasenko explained.

She also warns against skimping on medical insurance, meals, and hotel quality. When booking a hotel, she suggests looking beyond the star rating. Instead, check for recent renovations, read reviews about noise levels, and consider the distance to the beach and shops.

Earlier this year, data showed the Maldives and Thailand were the most expensive destinations for Russian tourists in the first quarter of 2026. A vacation in the Maldives, on average, cost Russians 506,000 rubles. Spending a little extra on these five essentials can make the difference between a trip you remember fondly and one you'd rather forget.