The transport system of Minsk is very well developed. You can get from one end of the city to the other without transfers or with a maximum of one. Public transport of the capital of Belarus is represented by buses, trolleybuses, trams, minibuses, metro and taxis.
Ground transport
All buses, trolleybuses and trams in Minsk are produced here, at the capital’s enterprises MAZ and Belkommunmash. However, the situation is the same in all cities of the country – non-Belarusian public transport is very rare. Check liuxers for customs and traditions of Belarus.
Ground transport runs exactly on schedule, but it’s better to come to a stop a couple of minutes earlier.
The cost of a single ticket for one trip in municipal land transport is 0.75 BYN when buying it at a kiosk or 0.80 BYN from the driver. If you plan to travel frequently on public transport in Minsk, it would be wise to purchase a contactless travel card with the number of trips you need. The prices on the page are for October 2021.
Minibuses are also popular. Some of them duplicate the routes of public transport, but basically they connect the districts located on the outskirts of Minsk.
Underground
The Minsk Metro was opened in 1984. Pyotr Masherov, then head of the Union Republic, was an active supporter of this type of transport. Only a city with a population of more than 1 million people could qualify for the construction of a subway, so Masherov actively attracted people from all over Belarus to Minsk. As soon as the cherished figure was reached, Moscow gave permission for the design of the Minsk Metro.
The Minsk metro today consists of 2 lines (the 3rd is planned to open in 2017) with 29 stations. The only transfer station is Kupalovskaya-Oktyabrskaya (Kastrychnitskaya). The cost of a single trip is 0.80 BYN. Each station has its own style, which, unfortunately, is difficult to see due to the abundance of advertising.
Taxis
Minsk taxi is a relatively inexpensive (if ordered through a dispatcher) way to get around the city. Landing plus a trip of 3 km will cost 5.50 BYN, each additional kilometer – 0.65 BYN.
Rent a Car
If you are not used to using public transport or do not want to adjust to the schedule, rent a car. In the capital of Belarus, there are many both foreign and local rental offices offering cars of any class.
Traveling by car in Minsk is very convenient. There are wide streets, convenient intersections and plenty of free parking. Traffic jams rarely occur, only during heavy snowfalls or in the event of an accident.
The car will give you the opportunity to independently visit the sights located in the suburbs: the Logoisk and Silichi ski centers, the Dudutki and Strochitsy open-air ethnographic museums, the Mound of Glory and Khatyn memorial complexes.
All major international companies are represented in Minsk: Europcar, Sixt, AVIS, InterRent, Budget. Among the most popular local car rental companies are Minskrentacar, Mir-Avto, Drivecar. The average cost of renting an economy class car is from 50 BYN, a compact sedan – 60 BYN, a premium car – 250 BYN.
Minsk guest card
The MinskCard card provides the right to visit various sights of the Belarusian capital and the whole country for free or at a big discount. Tickets come with or without a pass. Validity period – from 1 day to 12 months, cost – from 27 BYN.
Any city pass gives a 20% discount when visiting cafes, restaurants and hotels and other establishments participating in the program, as well as bicycle and car rentals. More detailed information is presented on the page ” Minsk Guest Card “.
What to bring
One of the main symbols of Belarus is flax. Its quality is appreciated all over the world, and linen products presented in Minsk stores are relatively inexpensive. Traditional Belarusian toys are also made from flax. To get acquainted with them, visit the Kirmash store on Independence Avenue, 19.
In general, Belarusian knitwear is considered the most popular gift from Minsk. It is of very high quality and very inexpensive. Knitwear is sold in all major shopping centers in Minsk. The real trend of recent years is clothes with national ornaments. There are a lot of shops in Minsk offering the so-called “vyshimiki” – T-shirts with Belarusian patterns printed on the chest. This is an inexpensive alternative to linen embroidered shirts.
It is impossible not to mention the linen “Milavitsa”. There are several branded stores of this brand in Minsk. Also, sections with the products of this brand are also present in state-owned stores (GUM, TSUM, Belarus, Na Nemiga).
Clay products are traditionally popular: pots, plates, mugs. They are sold both in hypermarkets and in small craft shops. The famous Minsk watch Luch, thanks to cooperation with the Swiss company Franck Muller, has been returning to its former glory in recent years. You can buy them in all major stores. And, of course, do not forget to buy Belarusian cosmetics. For many years it has been valued for its highest quality and very low price.
- Where to go shopping in Minsk
