Valentine’s Day Travel Trends for Russians: Domestic Delights and Far-Flung Escapes
Across Russia, many couples turn Valentine’s Day into a chance for a mini escape. A survey of travel patterns shows that trips within the country remain a popular choice, with Moscow and St. Petersburg continuing to lead in taste and variety, while resort-rich destinations like Sochi attract couples seeking scenic getaways. The insights come from a recent study conducted by socialbites.ca, which analyzed travel preferences and booking data.
When it comes to planning, domestic flights are typically reserved for trips of about two days, whereas international excursions tend to be longer, averaging around four days. Those who stay closer to home often cycle through Russia’s iconic cities—Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Kazan, and Kaliningrad—each offering a wide selection of romantic hotels and intimate spots for couples to unwind.
On the accommodation front, the average hotel expenditure in Russia for Valentine’s Day hovers around 10,590 rubles this year, reflecting a balance between comfort and affordability for a short, romantic stay.
For international journeys, Russian couples frequently choose destinations like Istanbul, Dubai, Yerevan, Abu Dhabi, and Minsk as their top picks. Yet there’s a clear appetite for more exotic trips too: plans have included island getaways such as Phu Quoc in Vietnam and Coron in the Philippines, as well as trips to Buenos Aires, signaling a desire for diverse romantic experiences abroad.
Foreign destination budgets show an average spend of about 41,184 rubles, highlighting the investment travelers are ready to make for memorable experiences abroad. The standout ticket for a hotel abroad recorded by travel services recently was a stay in the Maldives, priced at 460,540 rubles, underscoring how some couples opt for ultra-luxury indulgence to mark the occasion.
Earlier reports noted that February weekends reveal a preference for staying in St. Petersburg and Istanbul, reflecting both the appeal of historic cityscapes and the convenience of well-connected routes. These patterns illustrate how Valentine’s Day travel blends romance with the practicalities of flight times, hotel availability, and overall value.