Overview
Belarus is a country in Europe according to thereligionfaqs. Formerly known as Belarus, the former Soviet state called itself Belarus after gaining independence in 1991. The new government sought political and economic ties with Moscow and, alongside the Russian Federation and Ukraine, was a founding member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), whose headquarters are in the Belarusian capital of Minsk. However, close ties with Russia isolated Belarus from the international community. Much of the economy is state-owned and subject to strict regulation. Foreign investment is rather limited because of the unfavorable economic conditions. The human rights situation is also problematic. Despite everything, Belarus is more than a transit country on the way to the Russian Federation. Wide steppes, picturesque villages, old fortresses and monasteries, dense forests, picturesque landscapes and thousands of lakes will inspire nature lovers, those interested in culture and those with sporting ambitions. Bison, elk, bear, wild boar, wolf, bear, fox, beaver and lynx are all at home here, not to mention the many species of birds. Belarus also has an interesting history and rich cultural heritage, with hundreds of historic buildings dating back to the 12th century.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
Attention: Air traffic between EU countries and Belarus has been suspended.
Flight times
Frankfurt/M. – Minsk: 2 hours 15 minutes (non-stop); Vienna – Minsk: 1 hour 45 minutes (non-stop); Zurich – Minsk: 3 hours 40 minutes (with stopover).
Departure fee
None.
Arrival by car
The easiest way to reach Belarus by land from Germany and Austria is to take the E30 via Warsaw (Terespol/Brest). Expect longer waiting times at the border. There are also border crossings with Lithuania, the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Entry by car via the Russian Federation should be avoided, as there are always rejections at the border and fines often have to be paid. Long-distance buses: Flixbus runs regularly to Minsk from many German cities and from Vienna. Eurolines connects various German cities with Belarus. Toll: There are toll roads in Belarus. The toll is only collected electronically. The transponders required for this are available at petrol stations and at the border against a deposit and must be charged with at least €25. BelToll provides detailed information. Documents: The German national driving license is recognized with a notarized Russian or Belarusian translation for stays of up to 3 months. The international driving license issued in Germany is not valid in Belarus. For vehicles registered in Austria and Switzerland, the international driver’s license, the insurance certificate and the green insurance card must be carried along in addition to the national driver’s license.
Arrival by train
There are connections from Berlin, Vienna and Zurich via Warsaw to Brest and Minsk. Other direct trains or through coaches are available from other Western and Eastern European cities. Most trains are equipped with sleeping cars. The EuroNight, a night train, regularly serves the route Paris – Berlin – Frankfurt/M. – Warsaw – Brest – Minsk – Moscow (journey time: approx. 37 hours).
Transportation
Traveling by plane
There are no domestic flights in Belarus.
Traveling by car/bus
The road network has a length of approx. 93,000 km. Only the M1 between Kobrin and Orscha has been developed in a similar way to a motorway. Toll: There are several toll roads. The toll is collected exclusively via the BelToll electronic system. The transponders required for this are available at petrol stations and at the border against a deposit and must be charged with at least €25. BelToll provides detailed information. Petrol stations are widely available in the larger cities. In general, however, the density of petrol stations is lower than what is usual in Western Europe. Opportunities to refuel should therefore also be used, especially in rural areas.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Right
Condition of the roads
The road network is partially paved. The quality of the roads varies greatly by region. Potholes are always to be expected. Night driving is not recommended.
Road classification
The Belarusian road network includes so-called magistrals (motorways and expressways), which are marked with an M and a number and lead into the country from Minsk in a star shape. The second highest category of roads are so-called “Republic Motorways”, which are marked with an R (Cyrillic P) and a number; they connect cities and other larger places.
Car rental
Rental cars are available at airports and in larger cities such as Minsk and Brest. Drivers must be at least 21 years old.
Taxi
Taxis are readily available throughout the cities. The price should be agreed before departure. Yandex taxis can be ordered and paid for through an app; Uber is also represented in Minsk.
Bicycle
Minsk offers city bikes in the warm season. But there are also bicycle and scooter rental companies, such as Speedy Go.
Coach
There are numerous bus connections between larger cities. It is advisable to buy tickets in advance as the buses are often sold out. Tickets are available at the bus stops; they are validated on the bus.
Regulations
Traffic regulations: – Alcohol limit: 0.0 ‰. – Children under the age of 12 and up to a height of 1.45 m must be transported in appropriate child seats. – Lights are compulsory for motorcycles around the clock. – In the event of an accident, the police must be notified, tel. no. 102. Maximum speeds: – in built-up areas: 60 km/h; – on rural roads: 90 km/h; – on motorways: 110 km/h.
Roadside Assistance
The ADAC foreign emergency call offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance comprehensive assistance in the event of vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents, loss of documents and money, and medical emergencies. The emergency number is available around the clock; in the event of damage to the vehicle: Tel. +49 (0)89 22 22 22, in the event of illness: +49 (0)89 76 76 76. In the event of breakdowns or accidents with the rental car, the car rental company should always be contacted first.
Documentation
The German national driving license is recognized with a notarized Russian or Belarusian translation for stays of up to 3 months. The international driving license issued in Germany is not valid in Belarus. The international insurance card for motor transport must always be carried with you. For vehicles registered in Austria and Switzerland, the international driver’s license, the insurance certificate and the international insurance card for motor transport must be carried along in addition to the national driver’s license.
Traveling in the city
Public transport in Minsk is good and inexpensive. 2 subway lines (Metro), buses, trams and trolleybuses operate daily between 5:30 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. Metro tickets are available at all train stations, bus tickets are also valid for trams and trolleybuses. You can buy them from the driver or at any station.
Locally on the way by train
The Belarusian railway network covers approx. 5,500 km. There are regular train connections between all major cities. During the day, mainly regional trains run; the long-distance trains that require reservations often run at night.
