Is it safe to travel in Russia right now?
The short answer is yes, especially if you stick to the basics and keep up to date.
Despite the headlines, more and more travelers from all over the world are choosing Russia as their destination. According to the Russian Border Guard Service, 1.57 million international trips were made to Russia in 2024, which is 2.3 times more than in 2023 (when there were only 670,000). Growth is observed in all regions, partly due to new visa-free group programs and charter flights.
Here are the 10 countries in the Top 10 in terms of the number of tourists in 2024:
1. China — 848,000 (4.5 times more than in 2023)
2. Germany — 66,500 (+20%)
3. UAE — 65,200 (+50%)
4. Turkey — 58,500 (+23%)
5. Turkmenistan — 57,300 (+60%)
6. Saudi Arabia — 55,100 (an increase of 7 times!)
7. Iran — 49,600 (+68%)
8. Kazakhstan — 24 000 (+48%)
9. India — 23 100 (+58%)
10. Cuba — 17,600 (+50%)
Other countries such as Estonia, Uzbekistan, Latvia, and even South Korea and Israel are also showing sustained interest.
Meanwhile, cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Sochi, and Kamchatka are becoming more and more friendly to tourists, with new routes, infrastructure, and programs designed specifically for foreign visitors.
The locals are friendly and curious, and most visitors say they feel safe as long as they follow basic safety precautions while traveling.
So... What are you waiting for?