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Best Time to Visit Russia from India
Late spring to early autumn is the best time to visit Russia. During this season, you can comfortably cover all the tourist magnets like lake Baikal, majestic Altai Mountain, and marshy tundra plain, quite comfortably.
Before visiting Russia, the largest country in the world, you need to choose a time when the weather remains calm and pleasant. This will ensure that you enjoy every moment of your journey by participating in thrilling and adventurous activities without hassles.
Table of Contents
Best Months/Seasons to Visit Russia
If you are trying to find the best seasons for travelling to Russia, follow the list discussed below:
| Month | Average Temperature | Description |
| March-May (Spring Season) | -8 to 19 degrees Celsius | Spring season with gradually warming temperatures, ideal for exploring historic cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg and witnessing the blooming of flowers and trees across the country. Popular events during this time: Russian Orthodox Easter, Labour Day, and Victory Day. |
| June-August (Summer Season) | 11 to 23 degrees Celsius | Warm summer season, perfect for outdoor activities, such as visiting Russian beaches along the Black Sea, exploring the Golden Ring, and attending various cultural festivals. Popular events during this time: White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg, the International Moscow Film Festival, and the Spasskaya Tower Military Music Festival. |
| September-November (Autumn Season) | -3 to 16 degrees Celsius | Mild autumn season with beautiful fall foliage, ideal for exploring Russian countryside, visiting ancient monasteries, and enjoying cultural events. Popular events during this time: Golden Autumn Festival, the Moscow International Book Fair, and the Russian Ballet Festival. |
| December-February (Winter Season) | -16 to -5 degrees Celsius | The winter season, with cold temperatures and snowy landscapes, is perfect for experiencing Russian winter traditions, visiting ice festivals, and enjoying cosy indoor activities. Popular events during this time: Russian Orthodox Christmas, New Year Celebrations, and Maslenitsa (Farewell to Winter) festivals. |
March-May (Spring Season)
Russian Springs is when the country’s natural beauty finally blooms through the icy landscapes of the country’s long and harsh Winter. It’s an ideal season to enjoy walks through the gorgeous parks and hikes through ranges.
Here are some of the key details you should know about this season when planning for a trip to Russia:
| Weather | Cold with increasing daylight |
| Temperature | -8°C to 19°C |
| Season | Moderate |
| Season for Localities | Russian Orthodox Easter, Labour Day, Victory Day |
| Key Highlights |
|
June-August (Summer Season)
Summer in Russia is characterised by pleasantly warm temperatures and long daylight hours, especially in northern regions like St. Petersburg and Moscow. It's the ideal season for exploring Russia's rich cultural heritage, visiting historic landmarks, and enjoying outdoor activities.
Here are some of the key details you should know about this season when planning for a trip to Russia:
| Weather | Warm and pleasant |
| Temperature | 11°C to 23°C |
| Season | Peak |
| Season for Localities | White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg, International Moscow Film Festival, Spasskaya Tower Military Music Festival in Moscow |
| Key Highlights |
|
September-November (Autumn Season)
Autumn in Russia is a picturesque season characterised by cooling temperatures and vibrant foliage, transforming the landscape into a tapestry of reds, oranges, and yellows. It's an ideal time to explore Russia's rich history, culture, and iconic landmarks.
Here are some of the key details you should know about this season when planning for a trip to Russia:
| Weather | Cool and pleasant |
| Temperature | -3°C to 16°C |
| Season | Moderate to Peak |
| Season for Localities | Golden Autumn Festival, Moscow International Book Fair, Russian Ballet Festival |
| Key Highlights |
|
December-February (Winter Season)
Winter in Russia is characterised by cold temperatures and snowy landscapes, creating a magical atmosphere throughout the country. It's the perfect season for winter sports enthusiasts to enjoy activities like skiing in the Caucasus Mountains or ice skating.
Here are some of the key details you should know about this season when planning a trip to Russia:
| Weather | Cold with snowfall |
| Temperature | -16°C to -5°C |
| Season | Off |
| Season for Localities | Russian Orthodox Christmas, New Year Celebrations, Maslenitsa (Farewell to Winter) festivals across the country |
| Key Highlights |
|
When to Avoid Visiting Russia?
While Russia is a beautiful destination year-round, there are times and conditions when visiting it might need to be more appealing. Knowing when to avoid travelling can help you plan a more enjoyable trip.
| Months to Avoid | Reason |
| December to February (Winter Season) |
|
Seasonal Travel Costs of Visiting Russia from India
Travelling to Russia from India can be affordable if you choose the right time of year. The cost of flights and hotels varies significantly between seasons. Below is a detailed table outlining the different months/seasons and their respective pricing for various parameters:
| Season | Average Flight Cost | Average Hotel Cost per Night | Description |
| Spring (March-May) | ₹30,000 - ₹45,000 | ₹3,000 - ₹6,000 | Moderate prices; ideal for exploring cities and outdoor activities with mild weather. |
| Summer (June-August) | ₹35,000 - ₹50,000 | ₹4,000 - ₹6,000 | Peak season with higher prices due to increased tourism; perfect for beach and hiking trips. |
| Autumn (September-November) | ₹30,000 - ₹45,000 | ₹3,000 - 5,000 | Moderate to peak prices; great for sightseeing and experiencing the grape harvest season. |
| Winter (December-February) | ₹25,000 - ₹40,000 | ₹2,500 - ₹5,000 | Low season with the cheapest prices; best for winter sports and indoor cultural activities. |
Things to Know Before Visiting Russia
Following are some of the aspects you must know before visiting Russia to make your journey more enjoyable:
- Russians expect that you and your companions maintain basic etiquette. In this respect, take a small gift with you while visiting any local home, if possible.
- You also should ideally avoid shaking hands without taking off gloves, irrespective of how cold the weather is, as Russians consider it very impolite. Besides, residents also believe handshakes over thresholds as ominous.
- While entering churches, women need to put on long skirts and cover their heads. Men also should ideally wear trousers and take off their headwear.
- In Russia, criminal activities and theft are almost negligible in broad daylight. Still, if you encounter such unlikely problems, you can get help from the hotels where you stay. They will help you reach the police.
- Participating in toasts is an important gesture of expressing your friendship and admiration for this country. You must not avoid this, especially when you are joining any local's birthday party.
- The temperature is near freezing in almost all the seasons except summer. Therefore, you must pack your dress according to the time of your travel.
Tips for Travelling in Russia
Here are some of the tips that you can follow in your journey to enjoy it more thoroughly:
- Conduct proper research on the famous tourist places of Russia, especially if you are visiting any museums, galleries or parks. They have definite opening and closing times, and you may also find them closed on certain days of the week.
- Take mosquito repellents with you and apply them as necessary.
- Keep the addresses and contact numbers of the Indian embassy so that you can approach them in emergency situations.
- Refrain from smoking publicly.
- Carry your government identity proofs, visa, passport, etc., during your journey.
- Maintain hygiene before taking meals and after returning from trips.
What Phrases Should You Know Before Travelling to Russia?
Following are some local Russian phrases and their English equivalents that you need to remember for basic communication:
| English | Russian |
| Do you speak English? | Vy govorite po-angliyski? (Вы говорите по-английски?) |
| I do not speak Russian | Ya ne govoryu po-russki (Я не говорю по-русски) |
| How much is the price of this? | Skol’ko eto stoit? (Сколько это стоит?) |
| Can I pay by card? | Kartoy mozhno oplatit’? (Картой можно оплатить?) |
| Thank You | Spasibo (Спасибо) |
| Welcome | Pozhaluysta (Пожалуйста) |
| Excuse me | Izvinite (Извините) |
| Hi | Privet (Привет) |
| Bye | Poka (Пока) |
| Yes | Da (Да) |
| No | Net (Нет) |
| Good | Khorosho (Хорошо) |
| Please stop | Ostanovite, pozhaluysta (Остановите, пожалуйста) |
| Help me | Pomogite (Помогите!) |
| Good evening! | Dobryy vecher (Добрый вечер!) |
| Good night! | Dobroy nochi (Доброй ночи!) |
| What’s your name? | Kak tebya zovut (Как тебя зовут?) |
| How do I get there? | Skazhite pozhaluysta, kak proyti v palatu (Скажите пожалуйста, как пройти в палату?) |
| See you next time. | Obyazatelʹno priyedu k vam snova (Обязательно приеду к вам снова) |
| See you soon! | Do skorogo! (До скорого!) |
| Let's have some fun | Poveselimsya (Повеселимся) |
| How old are you? | Skolʹko vam let (Сколько вам лет?) |
| I’m… years old | Mne … let (Мне … лет) |
| Don't worry | Ne volnuytes (Не волнуйтесь) |
Now that you know about the best time to visit Russia and the things you can enjoy at this time, you can plan your trip, pack your luggage and budget accordingly. Nevertheless, before you take the flight, ensure that you have covered your journey with a travel insurance policy. It can help you to bear the financial losses if you meet with an accident and undergo medical treatments on your trip. The plan also gives coverage for emergency medical/accidental treatment, death and disability, flight cancellation, etc.