Tourist reason: Mongolia and Uzbekistan have become the cheapest visa-free countries
The most profitable destinations for Russians with visa-free entry in 2026 were Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Abkhazia, Malaysia and Kazakhstan, according to travel aggregators. The average cost of living in these countries ranges from 7 to 8.5 thousand rubles per day. About where else you can have a cheap vacation and how prices have changed over the past year, see the Izvestia article.
Where it's cheaper to relax
According to Yandex Travel, which analyzed anonymized hotel bookings abroad in 2025 and 2026, Bosnia and Herzegovina became the most affordable option, where the average cost is about 7 thousand rubles. Slightly more expensive, by about 500 rubles, in Mongolia and Uzbekistan. A hotel in the Philippines, Abkhazia, Malaysia and Kazakhstan will cost 8 thousand rubles or more.
Experts suggest paying attention to Brazil for exotic lovers — the cost of accommodation in local hotels has decreased in annual terms: the average price of a night has dropped to 10,470 rubles, which is 28% less than last year.
It is most profitable for Russians to fly to Belarus — the minimum cost of a one-way ticket is 10 thousand rubles, Elena Shelekhova, head of the press service of the OneTwoTrip travel planning service, told Izvestia. Despite this, the country accounts for only 3.1% of aircraft orders.
Uzbekistan, Armenia and Abkhazia are also among the budget destinations for the flight — a one-way ticket will cost about 16 thousand rubles. A flight to Kazakhstan costs about 22 thousand rubles on average.
This year, international travel has fallen in price due to the strengthening of the ruble, Dmitry Gorin, vice president of the Russian Union of Travel Industry (PCT), told Izvestia. According to him, Russians most often choose Turkey. Egypt is in second place, and Thailand is in third. They often travel to China and Vietnam. And the demand for Emirates has noticeably decreased against the background of the conflict. The most accessible visa—free destinations for Russians are Abkhazia and Belarus, the expert emphasized.
— A week-long trip for two to Abkhazia will cost from 80 thousand rubles, which is about 20% lower than the cost of domestic holidays. To Egypt — from 120 thousand, to Turkey — from 150 thousand rubles, — Gorin added. According to him, a trip to Belarus remains one of the most budget-friendly due to the well-developed air and rail transportation, as well as the proximity of the country: you can relax together on weekends for about 40 thousand rubles.
During the high season, especially in July and August, travel prices usually rise. Therefore, Dmitry Gorin recommends that those who are planning a trip in the middle of summer book a tour in advance. In the off-season, the chances of finding great deals from airlines and hotels shortly before the trip are much higher.
Where do Russians go?
Elena Shelekhova noted that Armenia, which ranks first in the top popular destinations, has become the absolute leader in demand, accounting for 14.3% of all foreign aircraft orders.
According to "Fly.<url>", the demand for tours is now slightly lower than the same period in 2025: by 0.6%. This year, Russians prefer Turkey (36.2% of total sales). Last year, they traveled to Russia more often (32.5%).
In 2026, compared to 2025, the number of applications for trips to Vietnam increased 3.6 times, and to China — doubled. Demand for Egypt increased by 31%, for Turkey — by 14%, and for Abkhazia — by 7%.
The average duration of the tour decreased from 8 to 7 nights, and the booking depth (the period between the booking date and the arrival date) decreased by almost 12% to a month and a week, the company added.
China is becoming more and more attractive to Russians. When the country introduced a visa-free regime, interest in it increased noticeably, said Egor Kail, head of the Visantium visa agency and an expert at the Russian Union of Travel Industry (PCT).
— Previously, the Chinese visa was quite a serious barrier for tourists. I had to collect a package of documents — a questionnaire, an invitation, booking confirmation, itinerary, tickets and financial documents — as well as make an appointment and take into account the time frame for consideration, " he told Izvestia. — For some tourists, the visa procedure itself was a reason to postpone their trip or choose another country. After the introduction of visa-free travel, this barrier has actually disappeared, and the destination has become more accessible.
Kyle also noted that Russian tourists have already tried China, having seen that the country offers a wide range of routes.
— Here it is possible to combine cultural, historical, natural, gastronomic and business tourism, — he emphasized. — During one trip, a tourist gets a lot of impressions: large megacities, historical sites, national cuisine, natural attractions, shopping and modern urban spaces.
Besides, Russians are tired of bureaucracy. People have little free time, a fast pace of life, they don't want to spend weeks doing paperwork, he added.
"Destinations with simpler and faster travel arrangements get an additional advantage,— Kyle emphasized.
According to the expert, there is another trend. Tourists have become more likely to plan their holidays on their own: they are looking for more profitable options and try not to overpay for services that they can arrange without intermediaries.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
