What you need to know before traveling to Belarus. Traveling in Belarus by car Traveling in Belarus on your own by train

Belarus or the Republic of Belarus is a state of Eastern Europe. In the east it borders with Russia, in the south with Ukraine, in the west with Poland, in the northwest with Lithuania and Latvia.

The tourist infrastructure of Belarus is under development. However, it is no secret that it attracts more and more guests every year. In this regard, Belarus has a number of advantages compared to other countries. An important resource for the development of infrastructure is the proximity to Western Europe, Scandinavia, the Baltic countries, Poland and Russia. Ancient history and original cultural heritage (15 thousand architectural monuments), preserved natural geo-potential (huge forests, unique biological diversity, many water areas) and a lot of health-improving dispensaries make this country an attractive place for tourists to visit.

Russian travelers are drawn there by the proximity of the mentality with the locals, as well as the proximity of Belarus to our country.

It is very convenient to travel around the country in your own car, which is what Russians usually do. If you also dream of a rally to Belarus, then we advise you to make it by all means. But first, read the basic information that will help you along the way.

Route from Moscow to Minsk

So, if you plan to see as many different sights of this wonderful state as possible, then the most practical, budgetary and exciting way is to travel by car.

Before you go on an independent trip to Belarus, collect the necessary package of documents. Take with you:

• Passport;
• Driver license;
• Green card. It must be purchased in advance or when crossing the border, since Russian OSAGO policies are not valid in Belarus. A green card costs about 550 rubles;
• Vehicle registration certificate.

The Moscow-Minsk highway is straight as a stick, you should always drive straight along it. The distance between the cities is about 700 km and it will take you about 7-8 hours to overcome it. The route runs through the following settlements: Moscow - Odintsovo - Smolensk - Orsha - Borisov - Minsk.

There are two ways to leave Moscow. Directly along Kutuzovsky Prospekt, which smoothly turns into the M1 highway or along the bypass road, skirting Odintsovo. The M1 highway is considered the best on the territory of the Russian Federation, you can comfortably drive along it without fear of traffic jams and incomprehensible interchanges.

Since the route is paid, you will be charged 100 rubles for entering it, and 50 for exiting. There are many heavy trucks along the highway, because. M1 - is part of the transport corridor connecting Europe with Asia. However, they do not create obstacles, since the traffic on the motorway is multi-lane.

Beware of video recording cameras, which are attached mainly to bridges, completely invisible from the outside. To avoid penalties, you can use a radar detector.

Do not exceed the speed limit in populated areas, traffic police officers on this route are on the alert. Be especially careful when driving through the Smolensk region, where police posts are located at every step.

Also, just a few kilometers from the Russian-Belarusian border, there is often a mobile traffic police patrol - a Gazelle with radars on the roof. Therefore, observe the speed limit when approaching the border.

We recommend that you leave immediately with a full gas tank, because it will take you extra time to search and enter the gas station, otherwise you will make your first stop after 400 km just outside Smolensk. After passing the traffic police post, which is located behind the bridge, on the right you will see the Rosneft gas station. On it, you can fill an empty fuel tank and buy a Green Card there, if you did not purchase it in Moscow.

Crossing the border of Belarus

In connection with the creation of the Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus, on July 1, 2011, the Russian customs left the Russian-Belarusian border (Belarusian customs has not been here since 1995). There are no border guards either. Only the transport inspectorate of Russia works at the border, which controls heavy trucks. Therefore, if you are traveling to the Republic of Belarus in a car, no one will stop you and no one will ask you anything. Only a modest sign "Republic of Belarus" will announce you about entering the territory of a neighboring state. From the border to Minsk you have to drive 200 km, along an ideal highway, with a landscape of plowed fields.

Features of traffic rules in Belarus

Arriving in Belarus, check out the local traffic rules so as not to get into an unpleasant situation. As in any other country, the rules of the road differ from our code of law. Consider the main provisions:

• In Belarus, right-hand traffic;
• Speed ​​limit: in built-up areas - 60 km/h, outside the city - 90 km/h(some suburban areas have a restriction 60-80 km/h) and several freeways - 100-120 km/h;
• The use of radar detectors is prohibited;
• Drunk driving is strictly prohibited;
• Children under 12 must sit in the back seat.

In addition, at night outside the settlements, the car must stop only if the traffic police inspector is near a police car with special identification marks. All traffic police officers are wearing reflective vests with the inscription "DPS" on the back.

Be sure to give way to pedestrians on an unregulated zebra crossing.

Be vigilant when turning right at a traffic light, as pedestrians also turn green at this moment, and you must let them pass.

Do not interfere with other road users. The driver offended by you, at the traffic light, can get out of the car and come into conflict with you.

In large cities, on the streets and central squares of the capital of Belarus, parking is strictly prohibited. Especially if you left the car under a prohibition sign overnight, or on weekends and holidays. In these cases, the violator's car must be evacuated. The penalty for parking in the wrong place is $30 plus the daily cost of parking is $8.

It is better not to offer bribes to traffic police officers for their offenses.

Above all, keep in mind that sometimes the police conduct joint raids with other intelligence agencies. In this case, you should always carry the necessary kit with you: a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit with an unexpired shelf life, as well as an emergency brake light.

When driving in the evening or at night along the highway in settlements and, especially between them, be extremely careful: horse-drawn carts, cyclists and pedestrians without reflective signs can move along the roadway.

Belarus fines

Over speed:

• more than 10 km / h costs 0.5 - 1 minimum wage (30 - 60 rubles);
• from 20 to 30 km / h - 2 times more;
• more than 30 - 3 times more.

Large sums of money are charged only for driving under the influence of alcohol. If the driver refuses to "blow into the tube" or transferred control of the car to a drunk person, then the fine will be 300 - 1500 rubles.

Drunk driving without a driver's license is punishable by a fine of 2,700 rubles. You also need to know that if a car with a special signal passes by you, then you must turn to the right and stop.

Minor violations of traffic rules are punishable by a penalty in the amount of 20-120 rubles.

In Minsk, pedestrians are fined for crossing the street in the wrong place, especially in the center of the capital. Here, every 100 meters, there are traffic police officers who protect the fraternal republic from the provocative claims of the West and the local opposition.

In principle, this is all the information that will help you make an impression about traveling by car to this wonderful country. To supplement your information, we advise you to watch the following video about the roads of Belarus.

Many travelers planning to travel to Belarus for the first time are wondering if they need a passport to enter. Citizens of the Russian Federation do not need a passport to travel to the Republic of Belarus. You can also enter Belarus by presenting a passport, but no marks will be put on it. The Western European architecture of the cities of Belarus will allow you to plunge into the atmosphere of old Europe even for those travelers who do not have a passport.

Usually, excursions in Belarus start from the capital of the country, the city of Minsk. A trip to Minsk from Moscow by car will take approximately 12 hours. It is also possible to get from Moscow by train, you will have to spend about 9-10 hours on the way. The fastest way to travel from Moscow to Minsk is by plane. Direct flights are carried out daily by several airlines.
You can exchange Russian rubles for Belarusian rubles at any bank branch or currency exchange office. You will need to present your passport or international passport with which you entered the country. One Russian ruble is equal to approximately 275 Belarusian.

A trip by car to Belarus will be especially interesting. You can rent a car in Minsk. This will give you complete freedom of movement and the opportunity to travel to any part of Belarus. The cost of renting a car at the airport depends on the rental period and starts from 350,000 rubles per day.

Cheap hotels in most cities are located near the railway station. You can check into a budget hotel from 140,000 rubles per bed. Hotels offer private rooms from 350,000 rubles.

The most interesting objects of Minsk are:

• City Hall.
• Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.
• Church of St. Simeon and St. Helena, Virgin Mary, St. Roch.
• The ensemble of the former monasteries of the Bernardines and Bernardines, St. Elizabeth's Monastery.

• Trinity suburb.
• Churches of Peter and Paul, Alexander Nevsky, Mary Magdalene, John the Baptist and the chapel of all Belarusian saints.
• Pishchalovsky castle.
• National Library of Belarus.

Where to go in Minsk in winter is to the skating rink, which is filled in front of the Palace of the Republic, and also to visit the Silichi ski resort, 30 km from Minsk. In addition, the Khatyn memorial complex is located 50 km north of Minsk. The cost of visiting is 40,000 rubles for adults, 25,000 for students.

Mir Castle is one of those places where you should definitely go, especially if you are traveling around Belarus by car. It is located 90 km from Minsk. Mir Castle is the easternmost Gothic architectural complex in Europe. Since 2000, it has been part of the UNESCO cultural heritage.

To enter the Mir Castle you need a ticket, its cost is 200,000 rubles. On the territory of the castle there is a restaurant and a hotel with room rates starting from a million rubles, so those who want to save money should go here for one day, returning to the hotel in Minsk in the evening or continue their journey towards the city of Nesvizh.

The next place to visit by car is Nesvizh Castle. This castle complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located 30 km from the Mir Castle, so both castles can be seen in one day. When visiting Nesvizh Castle, you can stay in the city of Nesvizh. A small private hotel will cost from 180,000 rubles for a single room. Nesvizh Castle also has a hotel on its territory.

The castle is open to visitors daily, in summer from 9.30 to 18.30, in winter - from 9.00 to 18.00. You will also need a ticket, ticket prices: 50,000 rubles for children, 100,000 for adults. It is possible to visit Nesvizh Castle for free, on the last Monday of any month. Nesvizh Castle is also famous for the oldest town hall in Belarus, the entrance to it is paid separately, and the church of the Body of God.

If, thinking about where to go next, you decide to move west, then you should visit Grodno. It is quite easy to go to Grodno by car from anywhere in Belarus, the roads here are good. There will be no problem finding a hotel. There are many offers from private individuals at the station, the prices offered there are very loyal. The hotel will cost an average of 350,000 rubles.

Where to go in Grodno is to museums. There are seven of them, the average price for an entrance ticket for adults is 15,000 - 30,000 rubles, for schoolchildren - 10,000 - 20,000. In general, the main sights of Grodno can be seen in one day. These include:

• The old castle is a medieval palace.
• New Castle - located opposite the Old Castle.
• The Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier is a Catholic church in the Baroque style.

The historical center of Grodno is a pleasant place for walking. Many different European styles are intertwined in the architectural ensembles of the center of Grodno, so a trip to Belarus can give a unique opportunity to feel the atmosphere of old Europe, but you won’t even need a passport.

Brest is located on the border with Poland and is one of the five oldest cities in Belarus. In the presence of a Schengen visa and taking a passport with them, tourists get the opportunity to travel to Poland. Here's what to see in Brest will be the most interesting:

• Brest fortress-hero. To see it, you need a ticket, admission prices: 30,000 rubles for adults, 15,000 for students.
• Archaeological Museum Berestye. Entrance ticket for adults - 20,000 rubles, for schoolchildren - 10,000. Every second Wednesday of the month, the museum is open to visitors free of charge.
• St. Simeon Cathedral.
• Holy Cross Church.

Budget hotels in Brest offer beds from 200,000 rubles. It is possible to check into an inexpensive hotel from 250,000 rubles per room.

Another place worth visiting when visiting Brest is the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha", which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are hotels and guest houses on the territory of the reserve. The cost of rooms is on average from 500,000 rubles. In winter, there is a Santa Claus house for children.

In the north of Belarus, it is worth visiting the city of Vitebsk - the cultural capital of the country. From what to see in Vitebsk and where to go, it is worth highlighting such objects as:

• City Hall.
• Governor's Palace.
• Art Museum.
• Chagall Museum and Exhibition Complex.
• The building of the regional executive committee, which previously housed the women's diocesan school.
• Victory Square is the largest in Belarus.
• Churches and cathedrals of the 18th - 19th centuries.

Renting a hotel in the city is quite simple, but prices in Vitebsk are somewhat overpriced. When choosing a budget hotel, you should count on a bed from 180,000 rubles.

Of all the countries of the former USSR, it is easiest to get to Belarus by car. Although the path from Moscow to Minsk is not close, 720 kilometers, it can be overcome very quickly with full observance of the speed limit, in just eight hours.

Even at five in the morning, a small traffic jam had already formed at the exit from Moscow for 10 minutes due to road repairs. Photo: AIF / Denis Sveshnikov

There are a lot of photo and video cameras along the way, both from the Russian and Belarusian sides. The local traffic police does not forgive violators. Exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 km / h can cost up to 7,000 rubles. And this is not the most severe punishment. For a repeated violation, you will have to part with the rights for a period of up to a year.

Roads in Belarus are of better quality than Russian ones and are not as busy. Photo: AIF / Denis Sveshnikov

There is no need to prepare for crossing the border, because, by and large, there is none. All preparation consists only in buying a "Green Card" - a compulsory car insurance policy for traveling abroad. If you travel only in Belarus, the cost of the document will be only about 900 rubles. It is almost impossible to forget about this nuance - along the road, starting from Smolensk, there are constantly kiosks with huge signs "Green Card". In order not to waste time on the road, it is better to arrange everything in advance.

Photo: AIF / Denis Sveshnikov

Directly at the border, customs officers can selectively stop cars to check documents, but this, in any case, does not take time. Giant traffic jams and queues should not be expected even on holidays. The quality of the road is excellent almost all the way, except for a couple of repaired sections with two lanes for traffic in each direction. The Belarusian part of the route is better in every sense and not only in terms of the quality of the coverage. Firstly, the speed limit is higher here - 120 against Russian 90 km / h. Secondly, the highway never passes through settlements, so you can drive all the way from the border to Minsk without changing your speed at all.

However, on long holiday weekends, it is better to leave Moscow in advance. Although leaving at five in the morning on a weekend or on the night from Friday to Saturday, few people can please, but even half an hour of delay will affect the total time on the road. In addition to the traditional traffic from summer residents and other vacationers, the situation is aggravated by repairs in the Minsk direction in the Kubinka area. At 7-11 in the morning on the way from Moscow and at 19-22 when returning back, you can lose more than an hour here. As an option, go around Novorizhskoe highway and Ruza.

If you want to visit Brest, you can spend the night in one of the park hotels with private parking near the city. Photo: AIF / Denis Sveshnikov

It is better to refuel up to the border "to the eyeballs", because in Belarus gasoline is on average 3-4 rubles more expensive per liter. Savings are not significant, but nonetheless. Taking into account the trip to Brest and the outskirts of Minsk, with an average fuel consumption on our Suzuki Vitara of 7.8 liters per hundred, 7,500 rubles were spent on gasoline. Even if you go not with a company, but at least together, it will turn out to be significantly cheaper than by any other mode of transport.

It is worth taking care immediately upon entering Belarus of the local currency. There are a couple of exchange offices just a few kilometers after the border. If you miss them, there will be nowhere to change money until Minsk itself. However, there is still no problem. In Belarus, and in the most shabby roadside cafes, where it’s scary just to be, they accept bank cards.

Mir Castle. Photo: AIF / Denis Sveshnikov

Nesvizh Castle. Photo: AIF / Denis Sveshnikov

You can see a lot in three days. Mir and Nesvizh castles with picturesque parks and the Dudutki museum complex are located very close to the capital, it will take no more than an hour to get there. In Minsk itself, getting around by car is not difficult. The avenues are wide, the interchanges are simple, and there are few cars. And the main attractions are concentrated in the city center. You can leave your car and take a taxi — given the small area of ​​Minsk, almost any trip will cost no more than 500 rubles.

In the center of Minsk there are many hotels with free guarded parking lots. Photo: AIF / Denis Sveshnikov

Single rooms in three-star hotels on holidays cost an average of 2.5 thousand rubles. It’s convenient to rent an apartment for a company – it’s even cheaper for one person. And, of course, there is no limit to perfection.

In cafes and restaurants, Russians will feel like millionaires. True, we must also try to dine for more than a million Belarusian rubles. Food in Minsk and during the influx of tourists is inexpensive. Without denying yourself anything, in restaurants, most likely, you won’t leave more than 2,500 rubles a day.

Brest Fortress. Photo: AIF / Denis Sveshnikov

As for the upcoming Victory Day, events in Minsk in the Stalin Line complex will last from May 7 to 9. You can see the reconstruction of the battle for Berlin. Fireworks will take place on the day of the holiday at 22:00. The concert program, also ending with fireworks, will also be held in the Brest Fortress. However, only residents of neighboring regions will be able to stay for the celebrations in Brest and return to the working day. The way back to Moscow is more than 1000 kilometers, which, despite the good road, will take a lot of time and effort.

Who needs a visa?

There are three types of visas in Belarus: transit (for 2 days), short-term (valid for 90 days) and long-term (valid for a year, stay - 90 days). Short-term is suitable for tourists, it can be single, double or multiple entry. If you come for a short time and meet certain conditions, you will not need a visa. We understand the intricacies of visa issues.

Without a visa

For some countries, a visa is not needed for short trips:

Citizens Azerbaijan(90 days)

Citizens Argentina(90 days)

Citizens Armenia(90 days)

Citizens Brazil(twice a year up to 90 days)

Citizens Venezuela(90 days)

Citizens Georgia(90 days

Citizens Israel(90 days in each period of 180 days)

Citizens Qatar(30 days)

Citizens Cuba(30 days)

Citizens Kyrgyzstan(90 days)

Citizens Macau, Special Administrative Region of China (30 days)

Citizens Macedonia(if you have an invitation or a tourist voucher)

Citizens Moldova(90 days)

Citizens Mongolia(90 days)

Citizens Russia(90 days)

Citizens Serbia(30 days)

Citizens Tajikistan(90 days)

Citizens Turkey(30 days, total duration - up to 90 days within a year from the date of first entry)

Citizens Uzbekistan(90 days)

Citizens Ukraine(90 days within each period of 180 days)

Citizens Montenegro(30 days with invitation or travel voucher)

Citizens Ecuador(30 days)

Citizens of 80 states can come to Belarus without a visa for(including days of arrival and departure). The conditions are as follows: you must definitely arrive and depart through Minsk National Airport. The number of countries for which entry to Belarus is simplified includes all EU states, the USA, Japan, Brazil, Indonesia and other countries.

Required documents:

Passport;

Money in calculation 2 base units per day, i.e. about €22;

Medical insurance policy in the amount of at least € 10,000, valid in Belarus (how to get insurance, read below).

Additional requirement for citizens Vietnam, Haiti, Gambia, Honduras, India, China, Lebanon, Namibia, Samoa- the presence of a multiple-entry visa of the EU states or the Schengen zone with a mark of entry into their territory and air tickets with confirmation of departure from the National Airport "Minsk" within 5 days from the date of entry.

The full list of countries that can benefit from visa-free entry:

1. Australia.
2. Austria.
3. Albania.
4. Andorra.
5. Antigua and Barbuda.
6. Argentina.
7. Barbados.
8. Bahrain.
9. Belgium.
10. Bulgaria.
11. Bosnia and Herzegovina.
12. Brazil.
13. Vanuatu.
14. Vatican.
15. UK.
16. Hungary.
17. Vietnam.
18. Haiti.
19. Gambia.
20. Germany.

21. Honduras.
22. Hong Kong.
23. Greece.
24. Denmark.
25. Dominica.
26. India.
27. Indonesia.
28. Ireland.
29. Iceland.
30. Spain.
31. Italy.
32. Canada.
33. Cyprus.
34. China.
35. South Korea.
36. Kuwait.
37. Latvia.
38. Lebanon.
39. Lithuania.
40. Liechtenstein.

41. Luxembourg.
42. Macau.
43. Macedonia.
44. Malaysia.
45. Malta.
46. ​​Order of Malta.
47. Mexico.
48. Micronesia.
49. Monaco.
50. Namibia.
51. Netherlands.
52. Nicaragua.
53. New Zealand.
54. Norway.
55. Oman.
56. Panama.
57. Peru.
58. Poland.
59. Portugal.
60. Romania.

61. Samoa.
62. San Marino.
63. Saudi Arabia.
64. Seychelles.
65. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
66. Singapore.
67. Slovakia.
68. Slovenia.
69. USA.
70. Uruguay.
71. Finland.
72. France.
73. Croatia.
74. Czech Republic.
75. Chile.
76. Switzerland.
77. Sweden.
78. Salvador.
79. Estonia.
80. Japan.

There are two more ways to come to Belarus without a visa for three days - guilt .

Read more about visa-free entry to Belarus .

Visa

Everyone else needs a visa. To obtain a visa, you need to contact the Belarusian consulate in your country. In the same place, specify what documents you will need - there may be slight differences in different countries, but usually the list is as follows:

Completed visa application form

Photo 35 by 45 mm, taken within the last 6 months,

Passport,

Medical insurance,

Confirmation of payment of the consular fee,

Other visa support documents.

Visa support documents must confirm your purpose of stay in Belarus - it can be an invitation from your friends or a contract of tourist services from a travel agency. Good news: according to the decision of the consul in a particular consulate for many countries, such documents are not needed (lucky citizens of Australia, Austria, Andorra, Argentina, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, Great Britain, Hungary, Germany, Hong Kong SAR of China, Greece, Denmark, Ireland , Iceland, Spain, Italy, Canada, Qatar, Cyprus, Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macao, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, USA, Uruguay, Finland, France, Croatia, Czech Republic, Chile, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia and Japan) - call your consulate in advance and clarify the situation.

Your visa will be ready within 5 working days from the date of application (urgent - within 2 working days, but you will have to pay extra).

You can get a visa at the airport (at the consular office of Minsk National Airport ) if you are arriving on a direct flight. Please note that in this case, the visa will cost about twice as much, and the documents must be sent to the visa center at the airport - they must be there at least four days before your arrival - check with friends or with the visa agency. Postal address: 220054, Minsk, the territory of the National Airport Minsk, Department for the entry of foreigners of the main consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, telephone +375172792058 . Accepted documents must be stamped with a special seal - ask them to send you a copy by fax or e-mail, they will need to be shown to the airline staff when checking in for the flight. The consular fee at the airport can only be paid in cash in euros.

How to make insurance?

All foreigners who come to Belarus need insurance. This can be insurance from Belgosstrakh or Beleximgarant, which you can buy at the border (at the airport or border points, look for a window with the inscription Obligatory medical insurance), or insurance bought elsewhere. You can pay for insurance in Belarusian or Russian rubles, dollars or euros (insurance for 30 days will cost € 31, for 90 days - € 89) .

If you are going to Belarus for a period of less than 30 days, you should have money with you in the equivalent of two basic units per day of stay (as of November 2017, this is about 46 BYN or € 23 per day), and if you are going for a longer period, then do not less than 50 base for all time (1150 BYN or €575).

Important: make sure that a couple of bills are not accidentally lying around in your documents (this can be regarded as a bribe). At the border, you can not take pictures or shoot videos, talk on your mobile.

You can carry with you no more than three liters of alcohol, 200 cigarettes (if you prefer cigars or tobacco - 50 pieces or 250 g, respectively). In total, you can carry 50 kg of luggage with you, but if you suddenly have more of it, you will have to pay at least € 4 for each extra kilogram. If you carry more than $ 10,000 in cash, you will have to declare it. Weapons, drugs and explosives cannot be brought in - there are no surprises here. If or other animal, you will have to prepare a veterinary certificate.

All the details about what you can carry across the border of Belarus, read .

How to get to Minsk from the airport?

You can change money at banks or currency exchange offices (there are hotels, airports, railway stations, hypermarkets). There is no commission for the exchange, most often they change dollars, euros and Russian rubles. You can withdraw euros or dollars from ATMs or pay with a card, especially since they are accepted almost everywhere.

How to use public transport?

In the cities of Belarus, all types of transport run - buses, trolleybuses, trams and fixed-route taxis (minibuses - “minibuses”). There are two lines in Minsk metro. Buy tickets at the newsstands "Belsayuzdruk" or "Minsktrans" at stops or directly from the driver (they will be 0.05 BYN more expensive).

In Minsk, a ticket for one trip on land transport will cost you 0.6 BYN (€ 0.2), the metro costs 0.65 BYN (€ 0.25).

If you come to Minsk for several days and plan to actively use transport, you can buy a travel card for a certain number of trips (from 10 to 100 trips, it will cost from 5.70 BYN / 2.5 € to 62.25 BYN / 27 € ).

There are travel cards for the number of days (for 1, 2, 3, 10, 15, 30, 90 days) - they can be bought for a separate type of transport or in their combination (the price in this case varies from 2.97 BYN / 1 € for day to 109.59 BYN/50 € for 90 days, the number of trips is not limited). Choose the option that suits you.

Every time you get on the transport, put your card on a special device at the door or punch a ticket - the device will beep approvingly, and your soul will be calm in case of checks, which happen quite often. Fine for hares - 11.5 BYN (€ 5), you need to pay it on the spot.

Transport runs on schedule - check the time and routes on the website. There is also an experimental version of the city route planner. Many stops have electronic displays where you can see how many minutes are left until the next bus.

There are no night buses in Minsk, the metro operates until 00.40. After this time, own legs and taxis become the main mode of transport - you can call by numbers 7788, 135, 157, 152, 107 . A trip of 8-10 km will result in € 3-4. Works also Uber, you can get from one end of the city to the other for € 10.

How to make a temporary registration?

If you have a passport of Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia or Ukraine - you can relax about this item, you can stay in Belarus for up to 30 days without registration. If you live in a hotel, sanatorium or farmstead, you don’t have to worry either, the staff will do everything for you.

Everyone else needs to make a temporary registration with the Department of Citizenship and Migration at the place of actual residence within five working days (Sundays and official holidays do not count) (there is a list of district offices with addresses and working hours).

If you are going to stay in Minsk, you can choose a luxury five-star hotel depending on your budget ( Renaissance Minsk Hotel Marriott networks (Dzerzhinsky Ave., 1e)), a retro-style hotel that conveys the architectural spirit of the USSR (for example, Orbit (Pushkin Ave., 39)) or hostel (for example, Trinity (St. Starovilenskaya, 12/14). More options - in ours.

How to apply for Tax Free?

If you do shopping in one store for 80 BYN or more within one day, you can apply for Tax Free. This is only valid in stores participating in the return program - see the list.

In the store, you must issue a special “VAT refund check” (show the employee a regular cash receipt and your passport). The return check will be issued in two copies - one for you, one remains in the store. Make sure that your details are correct, that the seller's signature and the store's seal are in place, and the original cash receipt is attached.

When you leave Belarus, show customs officers your purchases (must be unused and in undamaged packaging), VAT refund receipt and passport. You will be given a check-out stamp (remember that this must be done within three months from the date of purchase).

When you arrive home, on the back of the VAT refund check, indicate information about your bank card and send it by mail (you should be given a ready-made envelope to the address of RUE "Beltamozhservice" along with the check). Do not delay - in six months it will already be irrelevant. Within 30 days after Beltamozhservice receives your letter, they will transfer the money to your card.

Russians are frequent guests in Belarus. According to statistics, this country remains the most popular tourist destination among citizens of the Russian Federation. In addition, many come here to visit relatives or friends, on a business trip on production issues or to establish business partnerships.

Minsk, Belarus

Local sanatoriums and boarding houses are also popular among Russians. Here you can have an inexpensive rest, improve your health in the conditions of almost untouched nature and eat plenty of the famous Belarusian milk.

Do I need a visa to Belarus in 2020?

Citizens of the Russian Federation are attracted to Belarus not only by its territorial proximity, but also by visa-free entry to Belarus for Russians. From the moment of entry, they can stay in the Republic of Belarus without a visa for 90 days as part of a temporary stay. At the same time, Russians, unlike other foreigners, do not even need to register at the place of residence.

A trip to Belarus for a period of 3 months to a year requires the Russians to issue a temporary residence permit. To do this, you need to contact the Belarusian department for citizenship and migration of the Republic of Belarus.

Russians, going on a trip, do not have to have. As part of the visa-free regime, it is allowed to cross the border with Belarus even with a civil passport. Citizens of the Russian Federation have also been exempted from filling out a migration card.

Crossing the Russia-Belarus border

Border control on the Russian-Belarusian border was canceled back in 1995 for citizens of both states. This was done after the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.

When crossing the border, Russians are not required to have medical insurance for 10,000 euros, which is mandatory for other foreigners. At the same time, it should be taken into account that Belarus does not recognize Russian compulsory insurance policies. Russians can only count on emergency medical care in Belarusian hospitals free of charge.

By plane

At Minsk National Airport, flights from Russia are considered domestic. On this basis, border control of passengers is not carried out.

By train

Traveling by rail takes place in comfortable conditions. Belarusian border guards do not disturb passengers, so they do not even notice how they got into a neighboring state. However, it is important to carry your passport, children's birth certificates and other documents.

Crossing the border with Belarus by car

Those who choose a car to travel to Belarus usually do not even notice the moment of crossing the border. Passenger cars are stopped for passport and customs control only if their appearance or the behavior of the driver is suspicious.

What documents are needed to travel by car?

When traveling by car, you must have a certificate of registration and a Green card (international insurance). The driver must be ready to present a driver's license and passport, the rest of the passengers - only foreign or Russian general passports.

Car insurance for a trip to Belarus - Green card

It is recommended to issue a policy of international motor transport insurance Green card (Green Card) in Russia. This is cheaper than buying it at the border, especially if you take coverage only for the CIS countries. A green card is required for all vehicles registered outside the Republic of Belarus. The absence of a Green card may result in a fine of 20 basic units (since January 2018, this is 20x24.5 = 490 Belarusian rubles).

Do I need medical insurance to travel to Belarus?

Medical insurance is not a mandatory document, but we always advise you to purchase it when traveling abroad.

Documents for children

Children over 14 must have their own passport when traveling to Belarus. Until this age, a birth certificate is sufficient. When crossing the border, Russian border guards may also require permission from the parent who does not accompany the child on the Belarusian voyage.

Customs regulations

Despite the fact that customs on the Russian-Belarusian border does not check tourists, it is still not worth violating the customs rules of Belarus. In personal luggage, it is allowed to import up to 50 kg with a total value of up to 1.5 thousand euros.

It is allowed to import no more than:

• 3 liters of alcoholic beverages, including beer with a strength of 7%;
• 200 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco or 50 cigars.

It is forbidden to import into the Belarusian territory:

• military equipment;
• weapon;
• drugs;
• explosive and radioactive substances.

Plants and animals are allowed to be imported only if there are veterinary certificates.

Temporary residence in the Republic of Belarus for Russians

Legislation allows Russians who came here to study, work or do business to stay in Belarus for more than 3 months. Also, those who have Belarusian real estate or a spouse, a relative from among the citizens of the Republic of Belarus who permanently live here can also stay longer than 90 days.

To obtain a temporary residence permit, you must submit to the local department of citizenship and migration:

1. Statement;
2. Passport;
3. Employment contract / certificate from the university / documents of relatives;
4. Proof of residence;
5. Receipt for payment of state duty.

Belarusian officials consider documents for 2 weeks. If the decision is positive, they will paste the stamp “Dazvol on the watch znakhodzhanna” into the insert to the passport. It allows you to live in Belarus legally for a year.

Finally, be sure to watch the video from the Inter TV channel about the capital of Belarus - Minsk: