The most affordable flight destinations from Moscow during the January long weekend, from January 1 to January 8, include Nizhny Novgorod. Return tickets start at 4 800 rubles per adult. This data was provided to socialbites.ca by the press service of the online flight ticket booking platform Aviasales. The service also named eight additional Russian and international cities where travelers can find inexpensive fares during the New Year holidays. [Source: Aviasales press service]
According to the service, the top three budget-friendly options within Russia for departures from the capital are Pskov and Saint Petersburg. Pskov offers flights from around 7 000 rubles, while Saint Petersburg itineraries start from approximately 9 800 rubles. The information confirms that Saint Petersburg is a frequent choice for budget-conscious travelers and highlights the affordability of domestic routes during the peak travel season. [Source: Aviasales press service]
Nearby international options
For travelers leaving Moscow, the cheapest trips to neighboring countries include Minsk, with round-trip tickets starting at about 14 300 rubles. Other nearby destinations such as Aktau in Kazakhstan begin around 24 200 rubles. The three most budget-friendly international destinations were completed with Fergana in Uzbekistan, where fares begin near 26 000 rubles. [Source: Aviasales press service]
Further abroad
For those considering a longer journey, a flight to Tehran, Iran, can be found around 28 200 rubles. The long-haul favorite among Russians remains Istanbul, with direct flights from roughly 41 600 rubles. This Turkish city attracts many travelers thanks in part to a high frequency of departures and easy connections to European destinations. In addition, Cairo, Egypt, is a top long-distance option with fares starting near 53 700 rubles. [Source: Aviasales press service]
Demand for air tickets purchased independently has risen during the holiday period. This year, the share of all New Year’s Eve reservations rose by about 40 percent compared to the previous year. The most popular domestic destinations have stayed constant over the year, commonly including Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Sochi, Kaliningrad, and Mineralnye Vody. Yet this year, neighboring countries have grown more popular than Turkey, and China has emerged as one of the most-booked foreign destinations. [Source: Aviasales press service]
The service analyzed the cost of near and far international tickets within Russia during November 2023. For each category, the three most accessible routes were identified. [Source: Aviasales press service]
Earlier reports from socialbites.ca highlighted where Russians will travel for the New Year holiday, underscoring shifting preferences and the ongoing interest in affordable sky travel. [Source: Aviasales press service]