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Best time to travel to Russia
Comparison of best months to travel to Russia
Month | 5-point rating | Reason |
---|---|---|
January | Extreme cold makes outdoor sightseeing difficult. Moscow's Christmas lights are beautiful, but it is bitterly cold. | |
February | The coldest time of the year. In Siberia, the temperature drops below -30°C, making it unsuitable for sightseeing. | |
March | The cold starts to ease, but snow remains. The advantage is that there are fewer tourists and cheaper prices. | |
April | The snow starts to melt and the temperature rises. Roads can become muddy, making sightseeing somewhat inconvenient. | |
May | The city comes to life with the arrival of spring. The weather stabilizes and the tourist season begins. | |
June | The season of white nights begins, and sightseeing time is long. The temperature is also comfortable and the most comfortable time. | |
July | The peak of summer, with some high temperatures, but there are many festivals and events. | |
August | The end of summer, with good weather. The best time to enjoy the countryside. | |
September | The beginning of autumn, with beautiful autumn leaves. The weather is stable, and the number of tourists is reduced. | |
October | The temperature starts to drop, but the autumn scenery is attractive. Snow may fall in the latter half of the month. | |
November | The temperature drops sharply with the arrival of winter. The opening hours of tourist facilities are shortened. | |
December | The snow-covered cityscape is fantastic. It is bitterly cold, but ski resorts are in full swing. |
The most recommended month is "June"
June is the most ideal time to travel to Russia. This is the season of "white nights", and it is light until after 11pm, especially in St. Petersburg, so you can significantly extend your sightseeing time. The temperature is around 20°C, which is comfortable, and the humidity is low, so you can enjoy walking around the city comfortably. Culturally, summer solstice festival events such as "Scarlet Sails" are held in various places, which is a great opportunity to experience Russian traditions. If you want to enjoy nature, this is the season when the lakes and forests of the Karelia region are at their most beautiful, and Moscow's parks are also lush with greenery. All tourist facilities are open after the winter closure period, and transportation is operating normally. Another advantage is that this is still the early part of the tourist season, and it is less crowded than July and August. The stable weather makes it ideal for planning long-distance travel such as the Trans-Siberian Railway. Overall, it can be said to be the best month with a good balance in all aspects of weather, tourist resources, and cultural events.
The least recommended month is "February"
February is the month to avoid the most when traveling to Russia. Siberia and the Far East will experience extreme cold of -30℃ to -50℃, making outdoor tourist activities almost impossible. Even in Moscow, the temperature will drop below -20℃ for several days, greatly reducing the comfort of sightseeing. Transportation will also be affected by snow and ice, causing frequent delays and cancellations. In addition, this period often overlaps with the Russian New Year (varies depending on the season), and many stores and facilities will be closed. Tourist sites will be empty, but the cold will make it difficult to enjoy them to the fullest. In addition, the extreme cold will cause cameras and smartphone batteries to wear out quickly, which will also interfere with the use of electronic devices. Hotels and rooms are often overheated, and the difference in temperature with the outside temperature will be so great that it will be difficult to manage your health. The only advantage is that ski resorts will be at their peak, but for other tourist purposes, it is the most unsuitable period, with unfavorable conditions in every aspect.
Recommended months for each type of trip
Type of trip | Recommended month | Reason |
---|---|---|
First trip to Russia | June and September | Stable weather allows you to comfortably visit the main tourist sites. You can also experience seasonal attractions such as the white nights and autumn leaves. |
Cultural and historical exploration | May and September | Perfect for visiting museums and palaces. This is the time when there are fewer crowds and you can calmly appreciate cultural heritage sites. |
Enjoying nature | July and August | This is the time when the nature of Lake Baikal and Kamchatka is most accessible. Perfect for hiking and wildlife watching. |
Mostly urban tourism | June and July | Perfect for walking around the streets of Moscow and St. Petersburg. You can enjoy cafe terraces and river cruises. |
Experience Russia in winter | December and January | Enjoy the fantastic snow-covered cityscapes and ski resorts. Christmas markets are also held. |
Arts and Festivals | June and July | Large-scale events such as the White Nights Festival and the International Music Festival are concentrated here. You can experience Russian arts and culture in depth. |
Train Travel | May and September | The best time to travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway. There is no extreme cold or heat, and the scenery from the train window is beautiful. |
Budget Travel | March and April | Off-season rates are applied, so accommodation costs are significantly cheaper. With fewer tourists, you can explore hidden spots. |