Around forty-five percent of Russians opted for cottage retreats and fruit-laden gardens as their summer getaway destinations.
Vacation Woes: Russians Struggle with Sky-High Travel Prices
It's no secret that many Russians are finding it tough to afford a family summer vacation this year. A survey conducted on KP.RU reveals this stark truth. For instance, a modest week-long getaway in Sochi for a family of four, which costs a minimum of 27,000 rubles, is beyond reach for 46% of respondents who prefer to keep their wallets closed, enjoying their time at home or their dacha instead.
Interestingly, around 10% of respondents are willing to tighten their travel purse strings, splurging up to 30,000 rubles. More open-handed individuals might spend anywhere between 30,000 to 50,000 (7%) or 50,000 to 100,000 rubles (10%) on their dream vacation.
Notably, transport expenses, particularly airfare, emerge as the most burdensome part of their travel expenditure. Russian flight prices have shot up over the past three years, making trips such as one from St. Petersburg to the Caucasus nearly three times costlier.
A smattering of survey participants (8%) intend to shell out between 100-150,000 rubles, while another 7% are willing to part with 150-200,000 rubles, and 6% are ready to dish out 200 to 500,000 rubles for their family vacation. Only the affluent leading the pack have earmarked half a million rubles or more for their summer holiday.
A meager 2% of respondents opted for the "other" category, perhaps harboring distinctive plans or reluctant to disclose their budget figures.
Before you book that dream vacation, keep in mind a few financial tricks, like booking flight-hotel bundles and taking advantage of flight deals. By doing so, you can save a neat sum, sometimes even 100% off airfare[1][2]. However, it's essential to remember that air travel remains a significant budget consideration.
For budget-conscious travelers, it's best to research hotels in advance and opt for less expensive options or self-guided tours to save money[4][5]. If you're looking for value for your money, organized tours encompassing multiple cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, complete with guided city tours and meals, can prove to be a cost-effective option. You might end up spending around ₹58,000 to ₹63,000 per person (approximately $700-$750), which includes hotels, meals, and sightseeing[5].
Don't forget to account for additional travel expenses such as transport within cities, guided tours, entrance fees, and luxury cruises when planning your budget[3][4]. With some careful planning, you might just snag that perfect vacation, despite the daunting costs.
Despite the steep increases in travel prices, some Russians are willing to adjust their budgets, with 10% prepared to spend up to 30,000 rubles on their vacation. In contrast, a portion of respondents are planning to spend substantial amounts, such as 100-150,000 rubles (8%) or even 200 to 500,000 rubles (6%), indicating that travel remains a significant part of their lifestyle, despite financial constraints. When considering expensive vacations, it's essential to explore potential cost-saving strategies in finance, such as booking flight-hotel bundles and taking advantage of flight deals, as well as choosing budget-friendly hotels and self-guided tours.
