New data from Aviasales, requested by socialbites.ca, reveals that in September a significant portion of Russians bought tickets for destinations abroad. About 36 percent of the tickets were to foreign locations, with Turkey emerging as the top target for travelers during the month. This trend highlights how travelers from Russia prioritized international getaways as autumn began.
In September, Antalya attracted 8 percent of flight bookings. Visitors planned stays averaging ten days, and around 12 percent of travelers accompanied by children were noted in this segment.
Round-trip prices to Antalya varied by departure city: from Moscow, tickets started around 26,340 rubles; from St. Petersburg, around 33,500 rubles; and from Yekaterinburg, about 29,590 rubles. These prices reflect typical seasonal adjustments and the currency environment at the time of the survey.
Istanbul accounted for another 7 percent of bookings. Tourists generally planned a week-long vacation, and family travelers represented roughly 4 percent of this group, indicating a stable preference among families for shorter breaks during September.
Ticket prices to Istanbul followed a similar pattern: from Moscow, from 24,930 rubles; from St. Petersburg, from 34,100 rubles; and from Yekaterinburg, from 33,500 rubles. The data underscores how Istanbul remains a popular gateway for Russians seeking both cultural experiences and affordable travel options in the region.
A comparable share, 7 percent, went to Yerevan, Armenia, with 5 percent of tickets bought for traveling with children. The average trip length was about one week, illustrating steady demand for short breaks to the South Caucasus and neighboring states.
Flights to Yerevan followed these price patterns: from Moscow, from 21,080 rubles; from St. Petersburg, from 27,760 rubles; and from Yekaterinburg, from 20,750 rubles. The pricing across cities shows modest differences driven by distance and demand, while the duration remains consistent with a typical weekly getaway.
Tickets to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and Almaty, Kazakhstan, represented 5 percent of all bookings. Travelers expected around ten days in Tashkent, with families accounting for about 4 percent of travelers in this corridor. Almaty visitors were projected to stay about a week, with family bookings constituting roughly 2 percent of the total. This reflects ongoing interest in Central Asia as a travel corridor for Russian tourists.
Round-trip options to Tashkent were priced as follows: from Moscow, about 25,250 rubles; from St. Petersburg, around 32,800 rubles; and from Yekaterinburg, roughly 26,800 rubles. In contrast, flights to Almaty appeared more affordable on average, with Moscow at 24,360 rubles, St. Petersburg at 27,370 rubles, and Yekaterinburg from 20,180 rubles. These figures illustrate the competitive pricing dynamics in Central Asia relative to other international destinations in the region during September.
In September, 4 percent of all foreign tickets originated from Baku, Azerbaijan, where Russians typically spent about a week. Families accounted for around 5 percent of travelers on this route, highlighting continued interest in the South Caucasus as a practical travel option.
Round-trip fares to Baku per passenger were: from Moscow, about 25,060 rubles; from St. Petersburg, around 30,300 rubles; and from Yekaterinburg, approximately 31,700 rubles. The Baku corridor shows consistent demand from major Russian cities, with competitive pricing helping sustain interest in this destination through the early autumn months.
The study was conducted in August 2024, reflecting travel patterns observed as summer crowds began to recede and autumn plans started to take shape. These insights offer a snapshot of where Russians planned to fly in September and how much such trips typically cost across key departure points.
Previously observed trends indicate which Russian cities were likely to see increased outbound travel in September, revealing a continuing preference for international escapades among Russian travelers as the season shifted.