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Country Guide > Europe > Belarus | |
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Travel - International 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. Please note that Belarus is governed by a strong Presidential system with security forces loyal to it. Historically, the authorities have shown little tolerance for their opposition counterparts. This has often been reflected in the heavy-handed use of security forces to disperse or intimidate opposition events. Any demonstrations or rallies should be avoided. 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, Baltic Air, Czech Airlines, El Al Israel Airlines, Estonian Airlines, Lithuanian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines and Lufthansa. Approximate flight times From Minsk to London is three hours, to Frankfurt/M or Vienna is two hours 25 minutes, to Moscow is one hour 30 minutes and to Zurich is three hours. International airports Minsk 2 (MSQ) is 43km (27 miles) east of the city centre. Buses and taxis are available to the city centre (travel time – 60 minutes). Airport facilities include banks and bureaux de change, bars, car hire (Avis), duty free shops, nursery, post office and restaurants. Taxis cost about ¬20 to get into town, according to official rates. Minsk 1 underwent a length reconstruction but is back in use. It offers flights to destinations including Kiev and Stockholm, plus international flights to regional cities. Departure tax None. Rail All trains arrive and depart from Minsk Central Railway Station located in the centre 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 must insure their vehicle with a Belarusian insurance company at crossing points. The charge depends on the period of stay - from ¬4.8 (up to 15 days) to ¬53.1 (12 months) - and payment is only in Euros, Russian roubles and Euros. Petrol stations accept cash and credit cards and are plentiful along the motorways and main roads. 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. |