Since international sanctions began, booking accommodation in Russia has become a real puzzle for many travelers. Booking.com, Airbnb, and most Western platforms stopped operating in the country, and for a time Zenhotels established itself as the best alternative for booking hotels and apartments in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and other Russian cities.
Zenhotels continues to operate in Russia, but since late October 2025 it no longer shows accommodation to users accessing the platform from the European Union and the United Kingdom, which has caused considerable confusion. Understanding from which countries each platform works and which payment options are available is now essential to plan a trip without unpleasant surprises.
The good news is that it is still perfectly possible to book accommodation in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and other Russian cities. However, it is no longer enough to visit any well-known platform: it is essential to know which websites are still working, from which countries they display results, and which payment methods they accept.
In this updated guide, I explain in detail what has really happened with Zenhotels, why many travelers see empty results, and which are the best current alternatives for booking hotels, apartments, or tourist accommodation in Russia without unpleasant surprises.
1. Zenhotels
Over the past few years, Zenhotels has been —and still is— the best alternative to Booking.com and Airbnb for booking accommodation in Russia. The platform allows payment with international cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc.) and offers a huge selection of hotels, apartments, and hostels in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kazan, Sochi, and many other cities across the country.
After Booking.com and Airbnb exited the Russian market, Zenhotels became the go-to platform for international travelers thanks to its ease of use, instant booking confirmation, and the ability to pay with a foreign card—something essential for those traveling to Russia from abroad.
Since late October 2025, Zenhotels continues to operate normally in Russia, but the availability of accommodation depends on the country from which the platform is accessed. Specifically, users accessing Zenhotels from the European Union and the United Kingdom no longer see hotels in Russia, as a result of compliance with the 19th EU sanctions package.
By contrast, from countries outside the sanctioned regions—such as the United States, Canada, South America, Asia, or Russia—Zenhotels continues to display hotels in Russia normally, with full inventory and prices similar to those before the restrictions.
💡 Tip: if you access Zenhotels from a region not affected by sanctions, or use a VPN connected to a country outside the EU or the United Kingdom, the hotel inventory will usually reappear and you will be able to complete the booking and payment with a foreign card as before.
2. OneTwoTrip
Given the current limitations of Zenhotels for users in the European Union and the United Kingdom, one of the most reliable alternatives for booking accommodation in Russia is OneTwoTrip.
OneTwoTrip is a well-known online travel agency in Russia and neighboring countries, used by both local and international travelers to book flights as well as hotels. It offers a wide selection of hotels, apartments, hostels, and tourist accommodation in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and other Russian cities, and currently continues to work correctly from the EU and the United Kingdom.
Unlike many Russian platforms, OneTwoTrip allows payment with foreign cards, making it a particularly attractive option for tourists who do not have a Russian bank card and prefer to avoid cash payments.
The way OneTwoTrip works is very similar to Booking.com or to Zenhotels before the restrictions. The booking process is simple and intuitive:
- You choose your language and currency.
- You select your destination city (for example, Moscow or Saint Petersburg).
- You enter your check-in and check-out dates.
- You choose the number of guests.
- You filter by accommodation type, price, rating, or location.
- You select the hotel or apartment and complete the booking.
Once the accommodation is selected, the system clearly displays the fare conditions, whether the payment is refundable or not, and the services included. In most cases, immediate online payment is required.
The OneTwoTrip website is available in many languages. Unlike what currently happens with Zenhotels, OneTwoTrip does not block access to hotel inventory in Russia when accessed from the European Union or the United Kingdom, so there is no need to use a VPN for accommodations to appear.
Advantages:
- Allows you to book and pay with a foreign card from the EU and the United Kingdom.
- Wide selection of hotels and apartments in Russia’s main cities.
- Instant booking confirmation.
- Clear booking process similar to Western platforms.
Limitations:
- Many accommodations do not offer the option to pay on arrival.
- Customer support is more oriented toward the Russian market.
💡 Tip: OneTwoTrip is especially recommended if you want to secure your accommodation before traveling and avoid relying on cash payments or Russian bank cards once you are in Russia.
3. Booking accommodation in Russia with Ostrovok
Another very widely used option for booking accommodation within Russia is Ostrovok, a Russian platform that belongs to the same corporate group as Zenhotels (Emerging Travel Group).
Unlike Zenhotels, Ostrovok remains fully operational within Russia and displays a very wide selection of hotels, apartments, and tourist accommodation across the country. It is one of the most commonly used platforms by residents and by travelers who are already in Russian territory.
However, Ostrovok has an important limitation for international tourists: it does not allow payment with foreign cards. The payment system is integrated into the Russian financial system and only accepts cards issued in Russia.
Despite this limitation, Ostrovok can be very useful for foreign travelers if used correctly. The key is to book accommodations that allow payment on arrival, without entering card details.
On the platform, many accommodations offer the options “No credit card needed” or “Pay on the spot”. These options allow you to make a reservation without a card and pay directly at the accommodation when checking in.
To find this type of accommodation, in the “Payment and booking” filter, you must check the options “No credit card needed” and “Pay on the spot”.
In these cases, payment is usually made in cash and in rubles. Therefore, it is important to carry enough cash or exchange currency once you are in Russia.
Advantages:
- Very wide selection of hotels and apartments throughout the country.
- Allows booking without entering card details.
- Interface available in several languages, including English.
Drawbacks:
- Does not allow payment with foreign cards.
- Requires payment in cash on arrival.
- May require carrying significant amounts of cash in rubles.
💡 Tip: Ostrovok is a good option if you prefer to pay on arrival or already have rubles, but if you want to avoid cash, it is more practical to book and pay online with OneTwoTrip.
4. Other platforms if you have a Russian MIR card
In addition to OneTwoTrip, Zenhotels, and Ostrovok, there are other Russian platforms that continue to operate normally, although they are more oriented toward the local market and require a Russian bank card or cash payment.
Sutochno
Sutochno is the Russian equivalent of Airbnb. It allows you to rent apartments, studios, and rooms directly from property owners. The website has an English version and displays prices in euros or dollars, although payment must be made in rubles or with a Russian bank card.
In some cases, property owners accept cash payment on arrival, which can be useful for longer stays or for travelers who prefer apartment-style accommodation.
Yandex Travel
Yandex Travel is the travel portal of the Russian search engine Yandex. It offers a very wide selection of hotels and apartments, but it is available only in Russian and requires a Russian bank card to complete a booking.
It is a platform particularly useful for those who already live in Russia or have access to local payment methods.
Bronevik
Bronevik is a professional platform used by Russian travel agencies and companies. It offers hotels, hostels, and apartments throughout the country, but it only works in Russian and requires a Russian bank card or bank transfer.
5. Platform comparison
| Platform | Shows hotels in Russia? | Allows payment with foreign cards? | Pay on arrival? | Available languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OneTwoTrip | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ Generally no | Multiple languages |
| Zenhotels | ⚠️ Only outside EU/UK or with VPN | ✅ Yes | ✅ Sometimes | Multiple languages |
| Ostrovok | ✅ Yes | ❌ Russian card only | ✅ Yes (cash) | Multiple languages |
| Sutochno | ✅ Yes | ❌ Russian card | ✅ Sometimes | English, Russian |
| Yandex Travel | ✅ Yes | ❌ Russian card | ❌ No | Russian |
| Bronevik | ✅ Yes | ❌ Russian card | ⚠️ In some cases | Russian |
6. Conclusion
Although Booking.com and Airbnb have stopped operating in Russia and Zenhotels has limitations for users in the European Union and the United Kingdom, booking accommodation in Russia is still perfectly possible if the right platforms are used.
Currently, the simplest option for travelers from the European Union or the United Kingdom is OneTwoTrip, as it allows payment with a foreign card from Europe without the need for a VPN or cash.
In short, traveling to Russia today requires adapting to the new context, but with the right information it is possible to book accommodation safely and without complications.
7. Frequently asked questions about booking accommodation in Russia
Has Zenhotels stopped operating in Russia?
No. Zenhotels continues to operate, but it does not show hotels in Russia to users accessing from the European Union and the United Kingdom.
Can I still use Zenhotels if I live outside Europe?
Yes. From countries outside the EU and the United Kingdom, Zenhotels continues to show hotels in Russia normally.
What is the best alternative to Zenhotels right now?
For travelers from the European Union or the United Kingdom, OneTwoTrip is the most practical alternative, as it allows payment with a foreign card.
Is it possible to book without a credit card?
Yes. On Ostrovok and, in some cases, on Sutochno, it is possible to book without a card and pay in cash on arrival.
Do I need to bring cash to Russia?
It depends on the platform you use. If you book with OneTwoTrip or Zenhotels (outside the EU), it is not necessary. If you use Ostrovok or Sutochno, then yes.
Is Yandex Travel recommended for tourists?
Only if you have a Russian bank card or live in Russia. For foreign tourists, it is usually not the best option.
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