Best visa-free destinations and direct routes for Russians in 2024

In 2024, Russian travelers can visit more than 100 countries, and 40 of them are reachable by direct flights from Russia. For most of these destinations, visas are either not required or are issued on arrival, which noticeably lowers the entry threshold for planning a trip. Some neighbors go even further: Abkhazia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan let Russians in without an international passport, with permitted stays ranging from 30 to 90 days.

Among routes with nonstop flights, interest has surged in Thailand, Egypt, the UAE, Sri Lanka, and Turkey — a predictable shift as people look for straightforward logistics and familiar holiday staples.

There are also several visa-free options like Azerbaijan, Georgia, Vietnam, Israel, Qatar, Cuba, and Mauritius. For the UAE, Thailand, and Cuba, travelers should keep in mind a medical insurance requirement that covers COVID-19 treatment — a detail that’s easy to overlook, yet essential at check-in.

Egypt allows visas on arrival, which simplifies entry further. China has direct flights too, but visa-free travel there is only possible as part of an organized tour group.

With the map of direct routes expanding and entry rules easing, international travel in 2024 looks more accessible for Russians, cutting down the red tape and giving more room for spontaneous plans. Below are a few destinations worth a closer look.

• Turkey
• Azerbaijan
• Georgia
• Vietnam
• Seychelles

Turkey

It’s no surprise Turkey remains a top pick: Russians don’t need a visa. You can stay up to 90 days within each 180-day period, with a single continuous stay capped at 60 days; after exiting the country, you can return for the remaining 30. A passport valid for at least 120 days from entry is required. While insurance isn’t mandatory, the Russian Consulate in Istanbul advises having a policy for peace of mind.

Bank cards issued in Russia — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB — as well as UnionPay cards from sanctioned Russian banks are not accepted. The Mir payment system doesn’t work either. Cards issued in Belarus, Kazakhstan, and other countries can be used.

There are direct flights from Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other Russian cities. The most comfortable season for beach holidays runs from June to October.

As a yardstick for budgeting: a 10-day June trip for two with flights from Moscow and all-inclusive typically starts from 120,000 to 180,000 rubles for 4-star properties and budget-friendly 5-star hotels.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan admits Russians visa-free for up to 90 days. After that, you can leave and re-enter. If you plan to stay longer than 15 days, free registration at your place of residence is required — via the migration service, an ASAN Service Center, the migration portal, or by email at qeydiyyat@migration.gov.az. Hotels may register guests automatically, so it’s worth checking at check-in. A valid passport is required; medical insurance isn’t.

Cards issued in Russia aren’t accepted. UnionPay cards from non-sanctioned banks work at ABB ATMs, and cards issued in other countries are fine. The Mir system isn’t supported.

You can fly direct from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Novosibirsk, and other cities. Entry by car or bus from Russia is currently unavailable: land borders are closed to tourists due to COVID-19 restrictions until July 1, 2024. Beach season runs from mid-June to mid-September, while January and February are best for winter trips.

Round-trip airfare for two from Moscow to Baku typically ranges from 18,900 to 21,400 rubles. A six-day package with an all-inclusive 4-star hotel in Baku starts from 100,200 rubles.

Georgia

Russians don’t need a visa for stays in Georgia of up to one year. After that, you can exit and re-enter or apply for a residence permit. A passport is sufficient. In 2024, authorities decided to introduce mandatory medical insurance for the entire period of stay, but later pushed this requirement to 2026 — a reprieve that makes planning easier for now.

Cards issued in Russia aren’t accepted, and Mir doesn’t work. Tourists without a residence permit can open a local bank card in Georgia and use it for payments.

There are direct flights from Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other cities. Overland entry is available by car or bus via the Upper Lars checkpoint. Traveling first to Abkhazia or South Ossetia and then entering Georgia won’t work; penalties include up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 5,000 Georgian lari (about 170,000 rubles). Beach season lasts from late May to mid-October, with air temperatures around +27 to +30°C.

A four-day June trip for two with flights from Moscow generally starts from 78,900 rubles, assuming accommodation in Batumi on the third line and without all-inclusive.

Vietnam

Vietnam welcomes Russians visa-free for up to 45 days. Those aiming for a 90-day stay can apply for an electronic e-visa at dichvucong.bocongan.gov.vn; payment requires a foreign bank card. Extending your time is possible by briefly leaving and re-entering the country. You’ll need a valid passport and medical insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment with a minimum coverage of 10,000 USD.

On arrival, travelers may be asked to show a return ticket and proof of accommodation. Cards issued in Russia aren’t accepted.

There are direct flights by Aeroflot from Moscow to Ho Chi Minh City and by IrAero from Irkutsk to Hanoi. From other cities, expect connections — for example, Moscow to Hanoi via Delhi, Guangzhou, or Shanghai. Swimming is possible year-round; from May to October, short, tropical downpours are not uncommon.

An eight-day June trip for two averages from 135,400 rubles, with accommodation in a 4-star hotel in Phan Thiet, no meals included.

Seychelles

Seychelles allows Russians to enter without a visa for up to 30 days; the stamp is placed in the passport on arrival free of charge. Before departure, travelers must complete the online Travel Authorisation at seychelles.govtas.com no earlier than 72 hours and no later than 1 hour before the flight. The electronic approval must be printed or saved for check-in and arrival checks.

Because payments by cards issued by Russian banks are blocked, authorities have introduced a temporary workaround: Russian travelers may pay the Seychelles Travel Authorisation fee in cash on arrival at the airport. Entry is possible only with this confirmation in hand, which removes a potential bottleneck at the last moment.

At the border, you’ll need a valid passport, a return or onward ticket, a completed migration card, and proof of hotel booking. In rare cases, border officers may request proof of funds, roughly 150 USD per person per day.

Cards from Russian banks don’t work on the islands, with one exception: UnionPay. Whether a specific card is accepted should be checked right before departure, as the situation evolves.

The government has introduced an Environmental Levy aimed at supporting the islands’ ecosystems. Hotel guests pay from 25 to 100 Seychellois rupees (about 170 to 700 rubles) per person per night, depending on the property’s room inventory; children under 12 are exempt. A small charge for a big natural dividend.

Aeroflot operates direct Moscow–Seychelles flights (about 12 hours). Travelers from other regions can connect in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo.

The hot season lasts from December to May, with air temperatures around +29°C and typically dry, sunny weather. The cooler season starts in June and runs through November, with temperatures around +24°C — a comfortable window for beach time.

A 10-day trip for two generally starts from 220,000 rubles, based on 3-star hotels with flights and meals included.

Thailand, Egypt, the UAE, Cuba, and Mauritius — all visa-free for Russians — see less demand in summer because of the heat. For planning, it helps to track the sweet spots: Thailand is most comfortable from November to April; Egypt from April to May and September to November; the UAE and Cuba from October to April. Mauritius is pleasant year-round, with sea temperatures not dropping below 22°C, though packing a light layer for the stronger winds from May to October is a smart move.