Spontaneous trips in Russia: how booking habits for aparthotels are changing

How booking habits have changed?

The last two years have brought a noticeable shift in the way travelers act in Russia’s biggest cities. According to the international aparthotel chain YES, in 2025‑2026 more than two‑thirds of all orders are made for short notice. Already 66.7 % of bookings are placed less than a week before arrival. The most striking figure – 39.1 % of guests choose a room a day before check‑in, up by almost one percent from the previous year.

Distribution by time window

• 0‑1 day before arrival – 39.1 % (vs 38 % in 2025)
• 2‑3 days – 13.6 % (vs 13.2 %)
• 4‑7 days – 14 % (vs 13.6 %)

These numbers show that demand is clustering in the hottest windows, while the old habit of planning weeks ahead is fading.

Why travelers are opting for spontaneity?

Uncertainty and price hunting

A shorter planning horizon is linked to overall economic and geopolitical uncertainty. When it’s hard to predict what restrictions might appear, tourists keep their options open and try to snag better rates closer to the trip. This is the classic “last‑minute” model, where prices often dip at the eleventh hour.

Aparthotels as a perfect compromise

Aparthotels blend a kitchen, hotel‑level service and central locations, often right next to the metro. The mix makes them attractive for business trips as well as short city‑breaks. Travelers don’t have to hunt for a restaurant or rent a separate flat – everything is at hand, and preparation time shrinks.

Rise of weekend tourism

Domestic demand is increasingly fed by short, packed get‑aways. People pick a “city weekend” when they can see the main sights, taste local food and be back at work within two‑three days. Aparthotels, with flexible terms and the ability to cook, become a natural choice for this model.

How the length of stay is changing?

The average stay in aparthotels has dropped by about 5 %, from 2.46 nights to 2.34. It’s a modest but noticeable shift, confirming a move from traditional “vacations” to tighter, more intensive itineraries. Travelers aim to squeeze the most experiences into a limited timeframe rather than stretching a holiday over weeks.

What does this mean for people planning a trip?

Book faster, but keep flexibility

If you like leaving things to the last moment, now is the right moment. Most hotels in the big cities have already tweaked their systems for quick requests, and the number of rooms left on the final day is often higher than it looks. Still, popular dates – weekends, holidays – tend to fill up early.

Pick an aparthotel for a short stop

For a one‑ or two‑day stay, an aparthotel offers the comfort of a “home‑away‑from‑home” without the hassle. A mini‑kitchen lets you cut food costs, and proximity to public transport makes getting around easy.

Evaluate price in the time context

Because rates often fall closer to the date, it makes sense to compare offers a few days before you plan to leave. Online aggregators usually show price trends, helping you catch a good moment.

How hotels are adapting?

The YES network has already responded to the shift: it boosted online support, streamlined the quick‑booking process and introduced flexible rates that can be cancelled without penalties. Those steps make spontaneous trips less risky and more appealing.

Practical tips for travelers

1. Watch for promotions – many aparthotels publish special deals 24‑48 hours before the stay.
2. Plan transport ahead – if your hotel is near a metro station, you save both time and money.
3. Mind the season – demand spikes in summer and around New Year, so “last‑minute” bookings can become tougher.
4. Check cancellation rules – flexible terms let you change plans without losing money.
5. Assess the need for a kitchen – if you intend to cook, choose a unit with a fully equipped kitchen.

Bottom line

Spontaneous travel is gaining momentum in Russia, and aparthotels are becoming the natural platform for such trips. The dip in average stay length and the rise in bookings made a day before arrival reflect changing tourist preferences: flexibility, savings and the chance to pack as much as possible into a short window. If you value the freedom to plan “on the fly”, now is the moment to ride this trend and discover new facets of urban tourism.

Based on materials from: trn-news.ru.