In 2025, the Russian travel scene changed. Weekend trips became the clear favorite among tourists. Data from Yandex Travel (likewise Google Travel) shows this format made up more than 85% of all bookings on the platform. Interest rose by 29% compared to 2024. This increase shows a wider cultural and economic change. Short, quick escapes and weekend travel in Russia are now the main way for Russians to rest from busy city lives.
Experts point out several causes for the new popularity of short trips. The constant busyness in major cities creates a desire for quick breaks. Roman Gareev, Head of the Department of Hotel and Tourism Management at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, explains the situation. He notes that the fast pace of life forces people to take breaks more often. Money plays a role too. Long vacations cost more now and appeal to fewer people. Short trips offer a cheaper choice. They satisfy the need for new experiences but do not hurt the wallet.
These trips are popular because they are convenient. Weekend getaways fit into tight schedules and budgets. They need little preparation and allow for sudden decisions. This flexibility made them attractive after the pandemic. Travelers now want quick changes of scenery but stay in familiar regions.
Popular Destinations for Weekend Travel in Russia
Easy access and attractions are important. Towns with good transport links and many activities rank highest. In the Moscow region and the Golden Ring, favorites include Torzhok and Kolomna (sharing first place), Sergiev Posad (second place), Suzdal, Dmitrov, and Tula. These historic spots provide culture, beauty, and easy day trips from the capital.
Resort areas have seen a large rise in demand for short breaks: Gelendzhik: +65%, Arkhyz: +62%, Krasnaya Polyana: +57%, Kislovodsk: +54%.
Tourists choose visits of two or three days instead of long stays. They use better facilities and visit all year round. They ski in winter and enjoy nature or health spas in other seasons.
Regional habits differ however. Muscovites prefer the Moscow region and Golden Ring towns. People from St. Petersburg go to Karelia, Pskov, and Veliky Novgorod. In the south, residents of the Krasnodar Territory, Stavropol Territory, and Rostov region take weekend resort trips. New developments in places like Arkhyz help this trend.
Better transport links and car tourism also drive demand. Accommodation options range from apartments and glamping to wellness hotels. Events also increase travel. Nizhny Novgorod saw a 12% rise in summer bookings compared to 2024. Yaroslavl and Suzdal grew by 10%. These cities host sports events, concerts, and food festivals which also boost the popularity of short trips.
Russian Hoteliers Adapt to the Weekend Travel Model
For the hotel industry, weekend tourism is more than just extra bookings. It is a specific business model. Operators focus on specific plans like demand-based pricing for short stays, flexible check-in and check-out, weekend packages and family rates, pet-friendly policies, focus on breakfasts and local experiences.
These changes help fill rooms during the peak Friday to Sunday period. They meet the needs of short-stay guests.
The Bleisure Factor
The bleisure trend—blending business trips with leisure—has also helped the market. Professionals often extend work travel into weekends to visit new places. In Russia, top spots attract these visitors like Sochi (46.2% of orders involve weekend delays), Vladivostok (45.8%), Irkutsk (37.4%), Mineralnye Vody (37.1%), andKhabarovsk (34.5%).
Popular international choices include Shenzhen and Shanghai in China, Phuket and Bangkok in Thailand, and Tbilisi in Georgia.
Infrastructure is improving. Lifestyles demand frequent escapes. Weekend travel in Russia remains steady. In 2025, it became the main way Russians experience tourism. This proves that the best vacations sometimes fit neatly into a weekend.
