Russians traveled across their vast land in greater numbers during 2025 - pushing domestic trips to 173.9 million. That marks a rise of 7.4%, building on last year's count without slowing down. Since 2021, journeys have nearly doubled, showing growth close to 43.5%. Behind these figures lies a trend: people keep choosing local destinations regardless of outside pressures.
Experts at Sberbank pulled the numbers on Russia’s domestic tourism, pointing toward staying power in internal movement patterns. Economic shifts haven’t dampened interest much so far. Russia's domestic tourism now holds stronger momentum than before.
A familiar rhythm held through the year, much like past ones. During July plus August, movement hit its highest point - over one-third of local journeys happened then. On the opposite end, visits dipped sharply in February and March. This quiet stretch usually follows when holidays are done.
Regional Leaders and Rising Stars
Over half of internal travel still flows through only a few destinations. Ten zones alone captured more than 50 percent of the national movement. Back at number one stood Moscow, edging past its surrounding region. In third place sat both St. Petersburg and Krasnodar Krai, lifted by heritage sites, urban appeal, and coastal draws.
A total of ten spots filled the list:
- Leningrad Region
- Tatarstan
- Sverdlovsk Region
- Vladimir Region
- Rostov Region
- Nizhny Novgorod Region
Since 2021, sharp rises appeared in the Leningrad Region, Moscow, yet also Sverdlovsk Region - driven by building projects alongside growing regional interest. Though infrastructure played a role, so did location advantages others now find attractive.
Who Is Traveling? Demographics and Preferences
Forty-four - that was the typical age of a Russian traveler within the country during 2025. Those under thirty accounted for just fifteen percent, yet they leaned heavily toward cities instead. Moscow claimed top spot among them, followed by its surrounding region along with St. Petersburg close behind.
Female travelers made up just over half of all journeys recorded, edging past male counterparts by a narrow margin. Rather than heading eastward, many women picked destinations like Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg - cities that drew consistent interest. The southern coastline also saw strong appeal among female tourists throughout the period observed. In contrast, routes toward Siberian territories and areas further east attracted mostly men, revealing a noticeable split in regional preference shaped along gender lines.
Higher up, buying strength changed too. Those bringing home more than the average income made up a larger part of travelers, as monthly earnings past 100,000 rubles climbed by 10 percent since 2024. Quality matters more now - seen in who shows up on trips. A shift, quietly shaping travel patterns.
Across the country, trips typically lasted around 4.7 days. In more isolated or picturesque areas - like the Yamalo-Nenets and Chukotka Autonomous Okrugs, Yakutia, Krasnodar Krai, and Crimea - visits tended to stretch longer. While urban centers saw shorter getaways, rural destinations invited extended time on site. Remote access, perhaps, played a role in prolonging these journeys. Scenery may have contributed too, drawing travelers into deeper exploration.
Nearly Two Trillion Rubles in Spending Movement
Fueled by rising travel activity, total spending by tourists within the country reached about 1.94 trillion rubles in 2025 - up 44.8% compared to levels seen four years prior. Rather than cash, digital methods took the lead: bank transfers covered 68.2% of all costs.
Breakdown of major spending categories:
- Groceries topped the list
- Followed by cafes and restaurants
- Souvenirs and clothing rounded out the main areas
On average, people spent 1,365 rubles per day after leaving out prepaid lodging and travel, a rise of 8.7%. Highest costs turned up in remote areas - particularly Chukotka, where daily life drained wallets fastest. In contrast, tourist-favorite spots like Krasnodar Krai and St. Petersburg still demanded deep pockets. Meanwhile, nearby zones such as the Moscow and Leningrad regions offered more breathing room for budgets.
Outlook Opportunities for Premium Development
Growth that continues over time, together with more high-income tourists, points to a definite shift in market trends. Because of this, companies find reason to back premium goods, better facilities, and tailored services in areas showing potential. With local travel reaching a later stage of development, attention now lands on richer experiences aligning with changing visitor demands.
Despite setbacks, Russia’s domestic tourism shows surprising strength, transforming obstacles into openings. Growth appears likely in coming years, fueled by shifts within the sector itself. Resilience emerges not from grand plans but everyday adaptations across regions. Forward momentum builds quietly, shaped by changing habits rather than policy alone.
