Belarus Travel Tips Overview

OVERVIEW

Belarus is bordered by Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine and the Russian Federation. The country is covered largely by forests and lakes, is rich in wildlife and crossed by major rivers such as the Dnieper. Minsk, the capital of Belarus, was first mentioned in 1067, but little of the old city survives except a few 17th-century buildings. Modern Minsk is symmetrically designed with wide embankments flanking the Svisloch River. The cultural scene is very diverse with the Belarusian Ballet and museums such as the National Museum of Belarusian History and Culture. The suburb of Troitskoye Predmestye gives an insight into the way Minsk once looked; 19th-century houses with colorful façades line the streets. When visiting the city of Brest, a tour of the Brest Fortress, used to repel the German forces during World War II, is recommended. Local dishes worth trying are dracheny, a tasty potato dish with mushrooms, and draniki which is served with pickled berries. A favorite drink is chai (black tea). Minsk has a thriving cultural scene with opera, ballet, theater, puppet theater and a circus. Brest also has a renowned puppet theater.

Social Conventions
Handshaking is the usual form of greeting. Hospitality is part of the tradition and people are welcoming and friendly. Company or business gifts are well received. Smoking is acceptable unless stated otherwise.

Tipping
10 per cent is usual. In some hotels in Minsk and other cities a 10 to 15 per cent service charge is added to the bill. Porters expect a tip of US$1-2.

International Travel:

Note
Visitors should be aware of the potential for pickpockets and muggers and take necessary precautions. However, the majority of visits to Belarus are trouble-free.

Air
The national airline is Belavia (B2), 5 Hobart Place, London SW1W 0HU, UK (tel: (020) 7393 1202; fax: (020) 7393 1203; e-mail: england@belavia.by; website: www.belavia.by). Other airlines serving Belarus include Austrian Airlines, El Al Israel Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines and Lufthansa.

Approximate flight times
From Minsk to London is 3 hours, to Frankfurt/M or Vienna is 2 hours 25 minutes, to Moscow is 1 hour 30 minutes and to Zurich is 3 hours.

International airports
Minsk 2 (MSQ) is 43km (27 miles) east of the city center. Buses and taxis are available to the city center (travel time – 60 minutes). Airport facilities include banks and bureaux de change, bars, car hire (Avis), duty-free shops, nursery, post office and restaurants.

Departure tax
None.

Rail
All trains arrive and depart from Minsk Central Railway Station located in the center of Minsk. There are several lines from Berlin via Warsaw and Brest with connections to Minsk. Another line runs from Vienna via Warsaw and Brest. Further direct trains are available from other cities, including Kaliningrad, Moscow, Odessa, Riga and Vilnius.

Road
Visitors are advised to stay away from military establishments. Tourists may drive their own cars or may hire cars from some larger hotels. Those entering by car should have their visas registered at the hotel, motel or campsite where they stay for the first night and are advised to insure their vehicle with a Belarusian insurance company, some of which have offices at crossing points and in major cities. There are also a number of other national and international insurance companies. The petrol supply is restricted and only 4-star and diesel are available. Petrol stations accept cash. The supply of petrol and service stations is best on the major routes (Europa highways/motorways) through the country, such as Brest–Minsk–Smolensk–Moscow–Tver–St Petersburg– Vyborg; Brest–Minsk–Vilnius–Riga–Tallinn–St Petersburg–Vyborg and Berlin–Warsaw–Brest–Minsk. Contact the Embassy for information on the temporary documentation required to import a car. The following are approximate road distances from Minsk; Moscow: 690km (429 miles); St Petersburg: 900km (563 miles); Kiev: 650km (407 miles). Coach: Coaches run from many points across Europe. There are three international bus stations in Minsk: Central Bus Station, Eastern (Vostochnaya) Bus Station and Moscow (Moskovskaya) Bus Station.

Travel Warning


The following goods may be imported into Belarus without incurring customs duty by persons of 18 years and above:
1000 cigarettes or 1000g of tobacco products; 1.5l of spirits and 2l of wine; a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use; other goods up to a value of US$10,000.

Note
On entering the country, tourists must complete a customs declaration form which must be retained until departure. This records the import of articles intended for personal use, including currency and valuables. Customs inspection can be long and detailed.

Prohibited imports
Weapons and ammunition, narcotics, photographs and printed matter directed against Belarus, and fruit and vegetables. Contact the Embassy for further details of import restrictions (see General Info section).

Prohibited exports
Weapons and ammunition, precious metals, works of art and antiques (unless special permission has been granted by the Ministry of Culture) and furs.

Internal Travel:

Rail
There are 5488km (3410 miles) of track in use. Services run regularly from Minsk to all other towns. For more information, contact Belarus Railways.

Road
Belarus has a road network of 51,547km (32,219 miles), most of which is hard-surfaced, although there are potholes and lighting is bad. Traffic drives on the right. Regulations: International traffic signs and regulations are in use. Driving under the influence of alcohol is strictly forbidden. Speed limits are 60kph (37mph) in towns and cities and 90kph (55mph) on country lanes. There are frequent radar traps. Documentation: International Driving Permit required.

Urban
Public transport is cheap and efficient. The city of Minsk has an underground system with two lines that cover central Minsk (16 stations). It is in the process of being expanded. Trains run between 0600-0100, buses, trams and trolleybuses between 0535-0055. Tickets for buses, trams and trolleybuses can be purchased at news-stands or kiosks and are to be punched on board. Entry to the underground is by tokens which are obtainable from stations. Taxis are available and carry a maximum of four passengers; fares can vary greatly.

Geography
Belarus is bordered by Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine and the Russian Federation. It is covered largely by forests and lakes, which are rich in wildlife, and is crossed by major rivers such as the Dnieper.