How Russian tourists' preferences on Bali are changing

Nusa Dua: a tried‑and‑true favourite

According to Pegasus Indonesia Travel, just over half of Russian clients – about 52 % – pick Nusa Dua. Many of them go back to the same hotels they have already stayed in. It’s a stable element of the trip: familiar service and a beach that many still call the best on the island keep it at the top of the list.

How the itinerary is shifting

A few years ago a typical Bali holiday meant two‑three weeks in a single hotel, with only occasional excursions. Today Russian travellers want to see more. The most common combo is the cultural hub of Ubud plus any beach district. Ubud draws people with its jungle, the Tegallalang rice terraces, temples and traditional arts. The beach choice depends on the mood:

• Nusa Dua – calm waters and easy relaxation;
• Uluwatu – cliffs and sweeping ocean views;
• Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu – nightclubs and bustling streets;
• Candidasa in the east – quiet, coconut palms and snorkelling.

Visitors often pack three or four locations into one trip so they can cover nature, culture and beach downtime in a single go.

Last‑minute bookings and new payment habits

Russians keep booking their holidays at the very last moment – the habit remains one of the “latest” in the world. As Natalia Saputra of Pegasus Indonesia Travel notes, many orders are placed only a few days before departure.

At the same time the way they pay is changing. Rising air‑fare has pushed tourists to buy tickets themselves, using accumulated miles and bonuses. Tour operators now more often provide just hotels and ground services, while flights are booked separately.

Flights: direct routes and connections

Aeroflot has raised the number of direct flights to Bali to four per week. A nonstop flight from Moscow lasts about 13 hours, while a stop‑over in Abu Dhabi can shave roughly 1.5 hours off the total time. Still, most travellers opt for connecting flights through Turkey, the UAE or China because they are usually cheaper.

Prices for a holiday

Balinese hotels raise their rates by 5‑15 % each year. The cheapest way to fly from Moscow or St Petersburg is a connecting flight on a Chinese carrier, costing roughly 70‑80 000 RUB round‑trip (in March‑April you can find offers near 60 000 RUB).

A ten‑day package that includes a good‑level hotel, breakfast and transfers runs in the 140‑150 000 RUB range. Around New Year the price climbs to about 210 000 RUB. For those willing to stay in a three‑star hotel, the budget drops to around 110 000 RUB, not counting holiday peaks.

What’s popular in excursion programmes

Classic routes – temples, waterfalls, rice terraces – stay at the top. Tourists get not only picture‑perfect views but also stories about the Subak irrigation system, local beliefs and traditional rites. Some tours even include a purification ceremony with a Balinese priest.

A sunrise visit to a volcano, where participants cook eggs in hot ash, is also a hit. Rafting on Balinese rivers attracts people of all ages, from kids to retirees. In addition, Russians often combine a Bali stay with trips to the nearby Gili islands, safari parks, zoos, botanical gardens and even overnight stays near animal habitats.

Who is choosing Bali

The core audience is travellers in their 30s‑40s: couples, groups of friends and families with children. Among families, about 80 % prefer to stay in a single area, most often Nusa Dua, where the upscale hotels are concentrated. The remaining families opt for mixed itineraries, adding a few days in other parts of the island.

Bottom line

Bali stays an attractive destination for Russians, but their requests have become more varied. Love for Nusa Dua and the habit of booking at the last minute persist, yet now the travel programme includes several regions, self‑booked flights and more flexible excursion options. These shifts let visitors see the island in all its facets without giving up the comfort they are used to.

Based on materials from: atorus.ru.