Exploring Belarus: Transportation And Mobility Options

Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. It has a population of 9.1 million and its capital and largest city is Minsk. The country is divided into six regions: Brest, Gomel, Grodno, Mogilev, Minsk, and Vitebsk.

Belarus has a well-developed transport system, with efficient train and bus networks connecting its major cities. The country's only national airline, Belavia, offers competitively-priced direct flights to various European destinations. Regional trains run during the day, while long-distance trains operate mostly at night. Buses are also a cheap and comfortable option for travelling between cities.

For those seeking more flexibility, renting a car is an option, although driving in Belarus can be challenging due to the local driving culture. Additionally, taxi services such as Yandex Taxi and Uber are available in the country.

When it comes to language, both Belarusian and Russian are the official languages. However, Russian is more commonly spoken, especially in urban areas like Minsk. English is not widely spoken, and knowledge of Russian is essential for independent travellers seeking to navigate the country effectively.

Getting around Belarus by train

Belarus has a well-developed transportation system, and travelling by train is one of the most comfortable and reliable options. The country has excellent international rail links, with trains to Minsk from most major cities in Europe and the CIS. Minsk's new Central Station is one of the largest in Europe, open 24 hours a day with a wide range of facilities.

Belarusian Railways

Belarusian Railways offers a convenient format of passenger transportation, with urban, regional, interregional and international lines. The cost of travel is affordable and depends on the line, class, and category of the railway car. For example, a ticket from Brest to Vitebsk, an interregional line train, costs around $7-10.

Buying Tickets

You can buy train tickets on the website of Belarusian Railways or locally at train stations in Belarus. Tickets can be purchased in person at ticket offices, by phone, or online. For domestic and some foreign lines, digital tickets can be obtained by paying online using bank cards or digital money systems like EasyPay and WebMoney. Commercial and free services are provided on Belarusian trains, including bed linen, first aid, and helpful information. Smoking is not allowed except on international trains, which have dedicated smoking areas.

Train Travel to Neighbouring Countries

There are direct trains from Minsk to Warsaw, taking around 7 hours with tickets starting at €25. There are also direct overnight trains from Orsha, Minsk, and Brest to Berlin, with tickets from €175. For travel to Lithuania, there are direct express trains between Minsk and Vilnius that run three times daily. To travel to Latvia, there is a direct night train between Minsk and Riga that runs every other day. For travel to Russia, there are several daily train connections, and to Ukraine, there are direct overnight trains from Minsk to cities like Lviv, Kyiv, Odessa, and Kharkiv.

Getting around Belarus by bus

Buses are a common mode of transport in Belarus, with nearly all towns and cities in the country (except the smallest ones) having bus services. The country's well-developed transportation system means that you can easily put together your own route and choose the most convenient way of getting around.

Buying bus tickets

You can buy tickets for international and suburban buses online using digital systems WebPay and iPay. Tickets can also be purchased at bus stations or bus stops in all the cities and towns of Belarus. In Minsk, there is the bus terminal Tsentralny (Central) and bus stations Yugo-Zapadnaya and Avtozavodskaya.

Popular bus routes in Belarus

Some of the most popular bus routes in Belarus include:

• Minsk to Bialystok
• Minsk to Gdańsk
• Minsk to Nuremberg
• Minsk to Riga Mārupe Airport
• Minsk to St. Petersburg
• Minsk to Tallinn
• Minsk to Vilnius
• Minsk to Warsaw Chopin Airport
• Minsk to Wroclaw

Private bus companies

In addition to bus operators of the Transport and Communications Ministry, there are multiple private bus companies operating in Belarus.

Getting around Belarus by car

If you're planning a road trip to Belarus, there are a few things you should know. Driving in Belarus is different from driving in the UK, and there are several requirements and regulations you need to be aware of. Here's a guide to help you navigate driving in Belarus.

Documents for driving in Belarus:

• A valid, full UK driving licence.
• A UK sticker for your vehicle.
• Your motor insurance certificate, V5 registration document, or hire car paperwork. Only original documents are accepted.
• A visitor visa, unless you're entering via Minsk airport.
• A 1968 International Driving Permit (IDP), which can be obtained from the Post Office in the UK before your trip.
• Valid medical insurance, which can be purchased in advance or at the border. This is only required if you arrive by road and not applicable if you arrive via Minsk airport.

Driving in Belarus packing checklist:

In addition to the documents mentioned above, there are some legally required items you must carry when driving in Belarus:

• Headlamp converters, unless your headlights can be adjusted. These are stickers for your headlights when driving on the right to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.
• A warning triangle in case of a breakdown.

Additionally, it is recommended to have:

• Spare bulbs for your car's external lights.
• A fire extinguisher.
• A Green Card (optional but useful). This is an international motor insurance certificate that can back up your insurance documents and show you have the minimum legal level of cover.

Rules of the road in Belarus:

• Winter tyres are compulsory if you're driving between 1 November and 1 March. If you use spiked tyres, you must use a sign to warn drivers behind you to maintain a safe distance.
• It is mandatory to wear a crash helmet if you're riding a motorcycle.
• Belarus drives on the right, and you overtake on the left. Vehicles from the right and emergency vehicles have priority. In Minsk, the right-hand lane is used by trolleybuses.
• Police checkpoints are common, and you may be asked to stop and present your papers.
• If you're involved in a road accident, wait for the police to arrive.
• Unleaded petrol, diesel, and LPG are readily available and can be paid for in cash or by credit card.
• Driving offences, such as speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, and using a mobile phone while driving, can result in on-the-spot fines.
• There is a zero-tolerance policy for drink-driving, with a legal limit of 0.00% for all drivers.
• Speed limits vary across Belarus, but the standard limit is 60km/h outside residential areas, 90km/h on national roads, and 110km/h on motorways.
• Radar detectors are illegal in Belarus and must be disconnected at the border if your car is equipped with one.

Other things to know when driving in Belarus:

• Urban roads in Belarus are generally in good condition, but rural road conditions can vary, and accidents are common. Be cautious of potholes, roadworks without signage, and poorly lit roads where ponies and traps are still used.
• There are toll roads in Belarus, and you can pay using an electronic device obtained at the border with a €20 deposit. Make sure your device is set up correctly to avoid fines.
• In case of an emergency, you can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe to reach an operator who can connect you to the relevant emergency service in the country you're visiting.

Getting around Belarus by taxi

Taxi prices in Belarus are not regulated by the government and are determined by each taxi company or individual driver. Fares may be metered, or you can ask to negotiate a set price. As a guide, the base fare is €1.30 (BYN 3.30) with a price per kilometre of €0.10 (BYN 0.30) inside the city and €0.20 (BYN 0.50) outside the city. There is also an hourly rate for standing or waiting of €2.34 (BYN 6).

You can find taxis waiting near popular destinations in Belarusian city centres, or you can flag a taxi down from the street. To save time, you can also call a Belarusian taxi company to request a ride. Taxi 152 and Taxi Bavaria are two companies that you can ring.

You can pay for your taxi ride in cash or, if you flag a taxi down from the street and wish to pay by card, check with your driver if that's something they can accommodate before starting your journey.

Minsk taxis are the safest, most comfortable, and quickest way to get around the city and surrounding area. However, if an issue does come up during your taxi trip, keep a note of what happened and when, along with the vehicle’s license plate number. You can then report the issue to the taxi company that you used for the transfer or, for serious matters, stop by your nearest police station.

Getting around Belarus by plane

Belarus is accessible by plane, with Minsk International Airport being the main hub for international flights. However, due to the Russian-Ukraine war, European airlines are no longer flying to Minsk. Instead, travellers can fly to Minsk from Istanbul (via Turkish Airlines) or Dubai (via Emirates). There are also direct flights to Belarus from other countries, such as Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Uzbekistan.

For those looking for cheap flights, it is recommended to be flexible with travel dates and book in advance. Generally, Tuesdays and Mondays offer the cheapest airfares, while Saturdays tend to be the most expensive. Additionally, February is the ideal month to find affordable deals, whereas December is the priciest.

When travelling to Belarus, it is important to have the necessary documentation, including a valid visa and travel insurance. Proof of funds and travel insurance with minimum medical coverage may also be required.

It is worth noting that there are visa-free regions in Belarus, such as the cities of Brest and Grodno, which can be visited by land through Poland for up to 10 days without a visa. However, visitors must stay within the respective region and register with the police every 5 days.

Travellers should also be aware of any COVID-19-related restrictions and requirements, such as providing a negative PCR test result and self-isolating upon arrival.

Frequently asked questions