Russians Opt for Frugal, Homebound May Holidays

A new survey reveals that most Russians are planning a modest and local break for the upcoming May holidays. According to research from the financial marketplace Sravni, three-quarters of those surveyed have set a strict spending limit of 5,000 rubles per person for the entire vacation period. Just over one in five people are willing to spend between 5,000 and 15,000 rubles, while a mere 2% plan to exceed that amount.

The study, which polled 1,700 adults, indicates a strong preference for staying close to home. A full 96% of respondents said they do not intend to leave their home region. Of those, 72% will remain in their cities, and 24% will spend time at their country dachas. Only 2% are planning domestic trips, with another 2% considering travel abroad.

Spending habits are largely holding steady. Seventy-one percent said their holiday budget will match last year's, though 23% reported needing to cut back. For those who do spend, the focus is overwhelmingly on food and picnics, with 69% citing this as their main expense. Far fewer are allocating money for garden supplies (16%), transport (10%), or hotels (5%).

Analysts note that this home-centric approach is reflected in how people are paying: 73% will use their regular salary, 21% will dip into savings, and only 6% plan to use credit. The pattern suggests a public desire for a simple, affordable reset during the break, avoiding any strain on household finances.