Russians Book Domestic Getaways for March Holiday Weekend

MOSCOW, Feb 28 – With a long weekend ahead for International Women's Day on March 8, Russians are planning domestic trips in significantly higher numbers than last year. Major travel platforms report a surge in bookings for hotels and apartments.

According to data shared with Vacation Affairs, the demand has jumped by approximately 50%. OneTwoTrip reported a 57% year-on-year increase in orders, while Yandex Travel noted a 50% rise for the holiday period. Analysts link the spike to the calendar: this year offers a more extended break compared to 2025's shorter holiday window.

Traditional destinations remain favorites. Moscow and the surrounding region, Krasnodar Krai, Saint Petersburg, the Leningrad region, Nizhny Novgorod, and Tatarstan are leading in bookings. OneTwoTrip's detailed breakdown shows Moscow as the top choice, set to host 23.8% of travelers who booked through the service, followed by Saint Petersburg (14.5%), Adler (3.6%), Sochi (3.4%), and Kazan (3.1%).

The increased demand is reflected in prices. Yandex Travel estimates the average nightly rate this season at 8,500 rubles. OneTwoTrip's figures are slightly higher, showing an average stay costing 10,700 rubles. The data indicates a strong preference for urban centers and classic southern resorts as Russians use the holiday for short domestic vacations.