Momondo.ru metasearch specialists studied demand for flights from Russia during official holidays in February and March and determined how the extra days off affected Russians' travel plans this year.
This year February 23rd will give Russians have only one extra day off, down from last year's two. This is likely why many of our compatriots decided to celebrate the holiday at home: demand for this period has decreased by 78%. Meanwhile, among those still planning a trip, more than a third (36%) are considering trips within Russia.
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Top 10 destinations as of February 23, 2018
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Flight costs in 2018
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Price dynamics in 2018 compared to 2017
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Moscow
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10 829
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-9,77%
|
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Sochi
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16 225
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-1,83%
|
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Prague
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23 204
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-3,63%
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Saint Petersburg
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13 642
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3,38%
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Istanbul
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16 942
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-7,72%
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Milan
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17 672
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-14,93%
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Rome
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24 393
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-3,35%
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Tbilisi
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20 399
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-9,89%
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Budapest
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20 902
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-6,34%
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Paris
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32 469
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20,12%
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However, it's still worth considering a trip somewhere for the long weekend dedicated to Defender of the Fatherland Day. According to momondo.ru, the average price of flights from Russia during this period has dropped by 3.51₽, and for some destinations, the price difference is over 501₽, such as to Debrecen, Hungary, or Kalamata, Greece.
Moscow was the most popular and also the most affordable destination. Flights to the capital cost an average of 10,800 rubles. Sochi, last year's leader, now ranks second. And St. Petersburg, as it did the previous year, remains in fourth place.
Prague was the most popular foreign city, despite an average flight price of 23,200 rubles. The remaining top European destinations ranked in the second half of the rankings. Milan, the most affordable among them, took sixth place. Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Munich, which occupied the bottom three spots last year, dropped out of the list.
Istanbul ranked fifth, the only city in the top ten to show positive growth. The capitals of Turkey and Georgia (7th place) are newcomers to this year's top ten.
March 8th is a time for travel
The March holidays, on the other hand, inspired Russian travelers to explore new things. This is likely due to the two extra days of vacation. Overall, interest in travel increased by 73%. Most Russians prefer international travel: 76% will travel abroad, and only 24% will travel to Russian cities.
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Top 10 destinations as of March 8, 2018
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Flight costs in 2018
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Price dynamics in 2018 compared to 2017
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Prague
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25 347
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+6,4%
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Sochi
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17 313
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+14,4%
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Istanbul
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20 157
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+12,6%
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Moscow
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10 460
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-10%
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Rome
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25 221
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+3%
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Paris
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26 576
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-3,2%
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Tbilisi
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21 772
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+25,4%
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Milan
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22 847
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+20,5%
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Amsterdam
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23 000
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+9,5%
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Saint Petersburg
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13 319
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+15,2%
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Prague was the most popular destination on March 8 this year. Other popular European destinations include Rome, Paris, Milan, and—newcomer to the top ten—Amsterdam. Searches for each of these destinations roughly doubled. Among these cities, average flight prices are lowest to Milan (22,800 rubles), while Paris has the highest (26,600 rubles).
Sochi leads the Russian destinations. Moscow ranked fourth overall, and St. Petersburg came in last. However, the cost of accommodation in the city on the Neva rises during the holidays: the average nightly rate in a 4-5-star hotel is 34.61 rubles higher than the March average. However, those who decide to treat themselves or their loved ones to excellent service in the capital are in luck: accommodations are, on average, 19.11 rubles lower. Moscow also proved to be the cheapest flight destination in the top ten: the average price dropped by 101 rubles compared to last year, to 10,500 rubles.
Istanbul also made the top 10. Four times more Russians will travel to Turkey's largest city to celebrate International Women's Day this year. Tbilisi ranked seventh, with demand for flights there doubling.
Source: trn-news.ru