During the autumn holidays, most Russians stay close to home. A recent study by AZIMUT Hotels, summarized by socialbites.ca, shows that 72 percent of people intend not to travel more than 150 kilometers from their residence. For many families, the autumn break is a chance to slow down and enjoy familiar landscapes without the stress of long journeys.
Only a minority plans longer trips: 12 percent expect to travel within Russia beyond the 150-kilometer radius, while 16 percent intend to go abroad. Within Russia, popular domestic destinations draw the most interest. Among those choosing to vacation in Russia, 21 percent head to St. Petersburg, and 18 percent set their sights on Moscow. The Golden Ring attracts 19 percent of travelers, the Caucasus 17 percent, and seaside resorts 13 percent. These patterns reveal a balance between iconic cities, historic routes, and coastal getaways that appeal to different types of travelers, including families with children who seek both culture and relaxation in equal measure.
When it comes to planning, the survey shows varied approaches. Forty-three percent of participants prefer organized package tours, while 32 percent take charge of planning and booking themselves. A quarter rely on flexible, on-the-ground decisions as opportunities arise. For many, the ideal trip length is a week, with 54 percent naming that as the preferred duration. About a third of parents are comfortable with shorter two- to three-day trips, and only a small share, seven percent, opt for trips longer than a week. These numbers illustrate how families tailor autumn holidays to fit school calendars, work commitments, and the natural desire for a calm, restorative break between seasons.
Budget is a key factor for families traveling with children during the autumn holidays. Forty-five percent aim to spend between 30,000 and 50,000 rubles, and 34 percent plan for more than 50,000 rubles. A smaller segment, 13 percent, targets a 20,000 to 30,000 ruble budget, while eight percent intend to stay within 20,000 rubles. In terms of lodging preferences, 39 percent favor hotels set in natural surroundings or near the sea, another 39 percent opt for city-centered chain hotels, 11 percent choose bungalow or camping setups, and 9 percent stay in smaller, boutique-style hotels. These choices reflect a mix of comfort, accessibility, and exposure to different environments that help families balance price with experience during the autumn pause.
Commenting on the trend, AZIMUT Hotels chief executive Maxim Brodovsky noted a stable booking volume for school holidays. He emphasized that accommodation costs within Russia remain comparatively affordable relative to international tours, which experienced a 10-30 percent price increase in the 2023 autumn-winter season, according to the company’s data. The observation underscores how travel within Russia can offer meaningful value without sacrificing convenience or quality—an important consideration for families planning trips from North American destinations, where exchange rates and travel costs can influence overall budgeting.
As households weigh options, the broader pattern points to a hybrid approach: many families combine the lure of familiar domestic locales with the occasional short hop to well-known cities or coastal escapes, while still preserving the flexibility to adjust plans on the go. The autumn holidays thus serve as a practical window for rest, family time, and recharging before the winter routine resumes. In the end, the key takeaway is that the choice of destination often reflects a blend of convenience, cultural interest, and financial practicality, rather than a single, one-size-fits-all formula. The data, drawn from the AZIMUT Hotels study and corroborated by socialbites.ca, provides a snapshot of how Russian families balance tradition, budget, and a desire for memorable experiences during this annual break.