A recent survey reveals how Russians planned to approach the May holidays in 2024. One in five respondents intended to take a vacation during the extended break to lengthen their time off or to embark on a trip. The same share were considering doing so, indicating a notable level of anticipation among the population. Meanwhile, a majority remained cautious, with 62% not planning any extra days off beyond the official holidays.
When it comes to how people plan to spend the May holidays, staying at home is still a popular choice. About 46% said they would relax at home, while 33% planned to retreat to the countryside or rural areas. A smaller portion, 17%, planned a trip within Russia, a rise from 12% the previous year. Travel abroad was a rare choice for Russians during this period, with only 3% planning international trips, including 6% of residents in Moscow and the surrounding area.
Travel preferences show a preference for closer destinations, with Türkiye, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and Belarus among the most frequent picks. A segment of the population, about 12%, anticipated working during the May holidays. Many people appeared to blend options, mixing rest with other activities.
Residents of Moscow and nearby regions showed a stronger tendency to leave home during the holiday. About 44% planned to go outside their city and 27% expected to travel within Russia, eclipsing the choices of other regions.
Within the country, Moscow and St. Petersburg emerged as the most popular cities for travel, with 25% of respondents each planning to visit. Other top destinations included Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, and Sochi, reflecting a mix of cultural and coastal draws.
Family plans also shaped travel behavior. Roughly 49% of those traveling domestically or internationally expected to take a holiday with the whole family, about 24% planned to spend time with a partner, and 17% with friends or a like-minded group. A smaller share, around 10%, would travel with family without children, while 9% intended to travel alone.
Budget considerations played a major role. Nearly half of respondents, 45%, did not expect to spend more than 10,000 rubles on vacation during the May holidays. Another 27% planned to allocate 10,000 to 50,000 rubles, and 9% anticipated spending more than 50,000 rubles. Notably, 19% expected to enjoy the holidays without any special expenses.
Opinions on spending compared with the previous year varied. About 39% believed expenses would be similar to last year, while 26% expected to spend more. Twenty percent intended to save and avoid overspending, and 16% prepared to reassess their budget after they began spending. At the same time, 58% thought they would spend less during the May holidays than during New Year celebrations.
The survey was conducted in mid-April 2024 using a representative sample of 1,500 adults from Russian cities with populations above 100,000 people. These findings reflect typical patterns in consumer behavior during the May break and illustrate how Russians balance travel, family time, and budget considerations during the holiday period.
Russians were also considering practical steps to boost earnings before the holidays, highlighting a broader context in which vacation planning intersects with financial goals and household management.