Exploring Belarus: Tour Bus Travel Options

Belarus has a well-developed transportation system, with most travellers arriving by plane. The country is easily accessible by air, rail, or road, with direct routes from most European and CIS countries. While there are no domestic air flights within Belarus, the country's road and rail networks are extensive. Travellers can explore Belarus by bus, minibus, or train, with over 2,100 destinations reachable by rail. In addition to public transport, private bus companies and travel agencies offer organised tours and excursions. The capital city of Minsk also features a double-decker sightseeing bus with audio guides in multiple languages.

Tour buses in Minsk

Minsk, the capital of Belarus, offers a range of tour bus experiences for visitors and locals alike. The city boasts a well-developed transportation system, including buses, which makes getting around the city and exploring its main sights convenient and accessible.

One of the most popular ways to tour Minsk is through the City Bus Company, which operates distinctive red double-decker buses. These buses follow a fixed route and schedule all year round, allowing passengers to take in the main attractions of the city. The route is designed to showcase the best of Minsk, whether you are a visitor or a local looking to learn more about your city. The double-decker buses also come equipped with an audio guide available in multiple languages, including English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish, with Arabic and Chinese to be added in the future. This audio guide enhances the tour experience by providing informative commentary on the sights.

In addition to the double-decker buses, Minsk also offers private tour options. These tours can be customised to your preferences and typically accommodate smaller groups of 1 to 20 people. They provide a more intimate and tailored experience, with knowledgeable guides who can offer insights into the city's history and culture. These private tours can be booked through various travel agencies and companies, such as Interesting Belarus, which receives high praise from travellers for its well-organised and personalised experiences.

For those arriving in Minsk by plane, there are tour companies that specialise in airport transfers and tours, such as Minsk Airport Transfer & Tours. These companies provide a seamless experience by combining transportation from the airport with sightseeing excursions.

Minsk also has a central bus station, located next to the Central Train Station, which serves as the terminus for most international bus arrivals in the country. This bus station offers connections to various destinations within Belarus and beyond, making it a convenient gateway for travellers exploring the region by bus.

Overall, Minsk provides a variety of tour bus options, from the popular double-decker bus tours to more personalised private tours, ensuring that visitors can explore the city and its surroundings in a way that suits their preferences.

Transport options to get to Belarus

Belarus is a country with a well-developed transportation system, so you can easily get there by air, rail, road, or bus. Here are some transport options to consider when planning your trip to Belarus:

Air Travel

Most travellers arrive in Belarus by plane, landing at the National Airport Minsk, which is situated 30km from the capital. The national airline, Belavia, offers daily flights to major European cities such as Moscow, Kiev, Warsaw, London, and Paris. Other airlines that fly into Minsk include Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, El Al, Etihad Airways, Aeroflot, and airBaltic. The airport has modern facilities, including banks, restaurants, and shops. From the airport, you can take a bus, train, or taxi to the city centre, or you can hire a car.

Rail Travel

Belarus has excellent international rail links, with trains arriving at the Minsk Central Station, one of the largest railway stations in Europe. You can travel to Minsk by train from almost every major city in Europe and the CIS. Railway transport is one of the most comfortable and reliable options for getting around Belarus, with over 2,100 destinations within the country. Belarusian Railways offers various lines, including urban, regional, interregional, and international lines. Tickets are affordable and can be purchased at stations, by phone, or online.

Road Travel

Belarus has an extensive road network, with several border crossings and toll roads. You can drive in Belarus with an international driving licence, and traffic drives on the right. Keep in mind that road signs are mostly in Cyrillic, although signs at major junctions may also be in Latin script. The speed limit on motorways is 110 km/h. When driving in Belarus, you will need to purchase local insurance, as most foreign travel insurance policies are not accepted.

Bus Travel

You can also travel to Belarus by bus, with most international bus arrivals terminating at the Central Bus Station in Minsk. From there, you can easily connect to other parts of the country. Bus travel within Belarus is convenient and affordable, with various private and public bus companies operating across the country. Popular bus routes connect Belarusian cities like Minsk, Grodno, and Brest to international destinations such as Warsaw, Riga, and St. Petersburg.

Other Options

In addition to the above, you can also explore water transport options during the warmer months, with sightseeing tours and cruises available on various rivers and canals.

Tour bus companies in Belarus

There are a variety of bus companies that operate in Belarus, including public transport buses, private bus companies, and tour bus companies.

Public Transport

Buses are a common mode of transport in Belarus, with bus stops or stations in all cities and towns. In Minsk, the country's capital, there is a central bus terminal, Tsentralny, and two bus stations, Yugo-Zapadnaya and Avtozavodskaya. Buses are also available in almost all towns and cities across the country, except for the smallest ones, where intercity transport can be used to reach bus stops.

Private Bus Companies

In addition to public bus operators, there are multiple private bus companies operating in Belarus. These companies provide intercity, suburban, and international routes, and tickets can be purchased online or at bus stations.

Tour Bus Companies

The City Bus Company offers tours of Minsk on unique red double-decker buses, as well as individual excursions in comfortable minibuses for groups of 1 to 20 people. These tours are designed for both visitors and locals, with an audio guide available in 8 languages.

Online Booking Platforms

Websites like CheckMyBus provide information on bus connections within Belarus and to other countries, allowing users to compare prices, departure and arrival times, and onboard equipment like air conditioning, electrical sockets, or WiFi. Popular routes include Minsk to Warsaw, St. Petersburg, and Vilnius.

Popular bus routes in Belarus

Belarus has a well-developed transportation system, including a comprehensive bus network. The country's capital, Minsk, is served by the Tsentralny (Central) bus terminal and the Yugo-Zapadnaya and Avtozavodskaya bus stations.

• Bus Brest (BLR) to Warsaw: This route connects the city of Brest in western Belarus to the Polish capital, Warsaw.
• Bus Grodno to Warsaw: Grodno is one of the cities in Belarus with the most bus connections, and you can take a direct bus to Warsaw, the capital of Poland.
• Bus Minsk to Bialystok: You can travel between the capitals of Belarus and Poland with this route, which connects Minsk to Bialystok in northeastern Poland.
• Bus Minsk to Gdańsk: This route takes travellers from Minsk to the Polish city of Gdańsk on the Baltic coast.
• Bus Minsk to Nuremberg: Travellers can take a bus from Minsk to Nuremberg, Germany, a city known for its medieval architecture and Nazi party rally grounds.
• Bus Minsk to Riga Mārupe Airport: This route connects Minsk with Riga International Airport in Latvia.
• Bus Minsk to St. Petersburg: This bus route links the Belarusian capital with Russia's cultural centre, St. Petersburg.
• Bus Minsk to Tallinn: Travellers can take a bus from Minsk to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, which is known for its preserved Old Town and museums.
• Bus Minsk to Vilnius: This route connects the capitals of Belarus and Lithuania, Minsk and Vilnius, respectively.
• Bus Minsk to Warsaw Chopin Airport: Travellers can take a bus from Minsk to Warsaw Chopin Airport, the largest airport in Poland.
• Bus Minsk to Wroclaw: This route takes travellers from Minsk to Wroclaw in Poland, a city known for its medieval core and vibrant market square.

In addition to these international routes, there are also numerous domestic bus routes within Belarus, connecting various cities and towns across the country.

Transport in Belarus

Belarus has a well-developed transportation system, making it easy to travel into the country by air, rail, road, or water.

Air

The National Airport Minsk is the major airport for Belarus, with flights to and from many destinations in Europe and around the world. It is a modern airport with banks, restaurants, and shops. The national airline of Belarus is Belavia. Existing airports in oblast capitals welcome charter flights, cargo aircraft, and airliners that need an emergency landing. Airports in Gomel, Grodno, and Brest also offer regular flights to the Russian city of Kaliningrad.

Rail

Belarus has excellent international rail links, with trains to Minsk from almost every major city in Europe and the CIS. There are over 2,100 destinations reachable by rail within the country. Belarusian Railways offers a convenient format of passenger transportation, including urban, regional, interregional, and international lines. Tickets are affordable, with prices depending on the line, class, and category of the railway car.

Road

You can travel within Belarus by bus or minibus, with multiple private bus companies operating in the country. Tickets for international and suburban buses can be purchased online using digital systems such as WebPay and iPay. There are bus stations or bus stops in all the cities and towns, where passengers can buy tickets, wait for their bus, or have a snack. In Minsk, there are central bus terminals and multiple bus stations.

It is also possible to travel to Belarus by car from Europe and the CIS. There are several border crossings and an extensive road network across the country. An international driving license is required to drive in Belarus, and traffic drives on the right. Road signs are mostly in Cyrillic, although signs at major junctions may also be in Latin script.

Water

There are ten river ports in Belarus, with waterways open on the rivers Dnepr, Berezina, Sozh, Pripyat, Zapadnaya Dvina, Neman, Mukhavets, and the Dnepr-Bug canal. While demand for passenger transportation by water is generally low, water sightseeing tours are popular during the warm season. These tours are available in Vitebsk, Grodno, the national parks of Pripyatsky, Narochansky, and Braslavskiye Ozera, the Zaslavl reservoir, and Vygonoshchanskoye Lake.

Urban Transport

In Minsk and other cities, mass transit systems are available, including buses, trolleybuses, trams, private buses, and taxis. Minsk also has a metro system. Tickets for public transport are affordable, with prices varying based on the city and mode of transportation.

Frequently asked questions