Summer Travel Heats Up: Where Russians Are Booking and What It Costs

With summer just around the corner, Russians are snapping up vacation packages—but there are still deals to be found. Beach destinations dominate the list, with the Black Sea coast leading domestic choices and Turkey holding its crown abroad.

According to Sergei Romashkin, vice president of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) and head of tour operator Delphin, the top domestic picks include the Krasnodar region, Crimea, Mineralnye Vody, Moscow and its suburbs, plus St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region. Also drawing interest: Kaliningrad, the Golden Ring towns, and nature-focused spots like Altai, Baikal, and Kamchatka.

Interest in the Krasnodar region has risen 8 percent, largely thanks to Anapa, where beach reopenings boosted bookings by a third. Sochi remains the most popular coastal spot, though demand is down 15 percent from last year. Crimea, meanwhile, saw a matching 15 percent uptick. Romashkin notes that many travelers are waiting until the season starts to decide on city breaks or countryside getaways.

Overall, only two regions show year-over-year growth: Krasnodar (up 4 percent) and Crimea (up 7.5 percent). Other areas, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, have seen booking declines. Romashkin attributes this to early planning for seaside trips, while other destinations rely on last-minute decisions. Hotel prices have risen just 3.5 percent annually—below inflation—compared to 12.5 percent in 2025.

Average summer tour costs (without flights) for two people: Krasnodar region—100,000 to 130,000 rubles for nine nights; Crimea—117,000 to 150,000 for ten nights; St. Petersburg—40,000 to 60,000 for four to five nights; Mineralnye Vody—around 150,000 for ten days; Moscow—25,000 to 30,000 for three to four days.

Abroad, Turkey, Egypt, Vietnam, Abkhazia, and Thailand top the list. Early-bird deals boosted Turkish resort bookings by 17 percent. Egypt saw a 32 percent jump thanks to foreign airlines flying Russians in. The Maldives, China (both Hainan and mainland tours), Indonesia, and CIS countries like Kazakhstan and Georgia are also popular.

Vietnam is gaining ground as prices drop roughly 20 percent and direct flights increase. Thailand, however, is down 6 percent. The Maldives remains the priciest mass destination at 450,000 to 600,000 rubles per couple, while Abkhazia is the budget-friendly option at 160,000 to 200,000 for a week with flights. Mid-range trips to China, Thailand, or Egypt run 190,000 to 260,000; Turkey costs 260,000 to 320,000 for nine days.