Easily book your accommodation in Russia : The best alternative to Booking.com and Airbnb
With Booking.com & Airbnb suspending operations in Russia due to Western sanctions, we, travelers are left searching for alternative ways to book accommodations.
Here’s a guide to the best alternatives for booking hotels and apartments in Russia with or without a bank card in 2025.
Last updated : 30/11/2025
Why look for an alternative to Booking.com and Airbnb in Russia?
Due to international sanctions, platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb have no longer listed accommodation in Russia since spring 2022. So whether you are planning a stay in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Siberia or even Crimea, you will have to go through other options to book and pay for your accommodation online. Fortunately, local and international alternatives are available.
The best alternatives for booking a hotel in Russia
2. Ostrovok : Booking without a bank card
Ostrovok is the perfect solution for those who simply want to book without a credit card.
👉 Step-by-step guide to booking without a credit card :
1. Go to Ostrovok.ru.
2. Select your destination and dates.
3. Use the “Payment and reservation” filter to select “No credit card required”.
4. Choose accommodation with the “Pay on arrival” option.
5. Finalize your booking and receive an email confirmation.
🎥 Video tutorial : Watch this for a step-by-step guide :
3. Yandex Travel : For Russian bank card holders
If you own a russian bank card, Yandex Travel (Яндекс Путешествия) offers a range of accommodation sometimes wider than Ostrovok.
I share the behind the scenes of my travels (real-time stories, messy bits etc) on Telegram
The best alternative to Airbnb for short-term rentals
For apartment rentals, Zenhotels remains an excellent alternative to Airbnb in Russia.
• Filter search results by type of accommodation (“apartments”).
• Refine your searches by distance (for example, within 3 kms of the city center).
⚠️ Be careful : When booking on Zenhotels or Ostrovok, check the address provided and make sure you can contact the owner to avoid unpleasant surprises like me at 11PM. in an unknown city.
How to book a hotel in Crimea or Abkhazia?
Crimea under international sanctions and Abkhazia are not covered by international platforms like Booking.com or Airbnb. Use local sites like Ostrovok or Yandex Travel for your reservations.
👉 Note : Zenhotels doesn’t list accommodations in Crimea, but you’ll find plenty of options in Ostrovok.
FAQ : Your questions about booking accommodation in Russia
Is it secure to book through Ostrovok or Zenhotels?
Yes, these platforms are widely used by Russian and foreign travelers alike (me included), and offer secure booking solutions. I also find that they have very responsive customer service.
Can I cancel my booking free of charge?
The cancellation policy depends on each hotel. Be sure to read the conditions before booking.
Is there any recommended travel insurance for Russia?
Travel insurance is required to obtain a Russian visa or evisa. I highly recommend you Attollo Assistance for full coverage, including medical expenses and repatriation.
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments and ask any questions you may have!
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Comments (4)
Hey, such a nice article and exactly what I was looking for. In case I can pay with creditcard and know the price I pay including fee isn’t this the best? You said pay on the spot. Does this mean I can pay in Euro’s cash or will I need to pay in Rubbles? Because I am not sure I can use my card.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Nick, thanks for your comment. I doubt they will accept euros cash but ask, you never know, some people are interested. I always pay in rubles. To know if your card will work (on Ostrovok or any other russian websites) it’s simple : Was your card issued in Russia ? If not, then it won’t work.
I agree, such a helpful information. With the sanctions, it is hard to get information on Russia.
Can you please tell me when the Mongolian/ China part of the Trans Siberian will reopen.
Thank you
Bev
Hello Beverly, the border between Russia and Mongolia is open and there are trains between the two countries (I’ve just checked), but for China I’ve got no idea to be honest. Have a look on Caravanistan, hopefully they have up-to-date information.