The expert named the countries for winter holidays without a pre-visa

Russians have started booking foreign trips in advance for the winter season. On October 2, Tatyana Guseva, head of Easy Payments, told Izvestia about popular visa-free destinations and rules for preparing for travel.

According to the expert, Vietnam and Thailand stand out among the destinations that tourists are actively interested in now. The UAE and Maldives are also chosen for beach holidays. At the same time, when planning a trip, it is important to take into account not only the country, but also the specific region, since the climate in different parts of the state may vary.

For example, southern resorts, including Phu Quoc Island, are suitable for winter holidays in Vietnam. In Thailand, tourists often choose Phuket and Krabi on the Andaman coast. Among the destinations with simplified entry, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the Philippines and Cuba are also in demand.

For trips with an excursion program, the expert recommended paying attention to Turkey, China, Israel and Morocco. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the ski resorts of Georgia, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

"When planning a trip, it is important to keep in mind that the rules of entry are constantly changing. Before booking a hotel and buying tickets, it is worth checking the rules that will apply for vacation dates, rather than focusing on the experience of previous years," said Guseva.

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The expert recalled that the duration of a visa-free stay varies depending on the country. Russians can stay in Thailand, China, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines for up to 30 days. In Vietnam, this period is up to 45 days, and in Uzbekistan — up to 60 days.

In Cuba, the UAE, Israel, and Morocco, visa-free stays can last up to 90 days. At the same time, in the UAE, it is calculated in total for six months: the days of several trips add up, and leaving the country does not reset the period.

Some directions have additional features. You can enter Kazakhstan using an internal Russian passport. In Egypt and the Maldives, a tourist visa is issued upon arrival at the airport. To travel to Thailand, Israel and Sri Lanka, the necessary documents must be completed online in advance. Medical insurance will be required when traveling to Cuba. Guseva recommended clarifying the current requirements for documents and rules of stay with the tour operator or on the official websites of consulates of selected countries before traveling.

The expert paid special attention to payment methods abroad. According to her, Russian bank cards do not work in many popular destinations, so tourists should consider alternative options in advance. Travelers can also take cash with them or apply for a foreign bank card.

OneTwoTrip, a travel planning service, noted a change in Russians' preferences when planning winter holidays on September 21. According to the service, the share of long-term foreign trips for the winter period increased, and Thailand, China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Japan were the leaders among the most popular destinations. Analysts also noted an increase in interest in five-star hotels and more flexible accommodation formats, including apartments and guesthouses.