Capital
Minsk.
Time
The time difference between Belarus and Moscow is 1 hour.
Language
The official languages are Russian and Belarusian.
Money
Belarusian ruble – BYR.
Banknotes in denominations of 100 thousand, 50 thousand, 20 thousand, 5 thousand, 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10 are in circulation. Russian rubles, dollars and euros are also used almost everywhere.
Banks and currency exchange
Currency can be exchanged at exchange offices or banks. When exchanging, a receipt must be issued, which must be kept until leaving Belarus.
Banking hours: weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm.
Large hotels, supermarkets and restaurants accept international credit cards. In Minsk, there are quite a lot of ATMs on the streets.
Traveler’s checks can be cashed at major bank offices.
Telephone communications
To call from Russia to Belarus, you need to dial 8 – 10 – the code of Belarus (375) – the area code – the subscriber’s number.
City codes:
- Minsk – 17;
- Naroch – 1749.
On the contrary, to call from Belarus to Russia, you need to dial 8 – 10 – 7 – area code – subscriber number.
Useful numbers:
- Fire – 01;
- Police – 02;
- Ambulance – 03;
- Unified emergency service – 112.
Transport
The best way to get around the country is by train or bus. These are the most reliable and most economical modes of transport in Belarus.
The most convenient way to get around the city is by bus. In more or less large cities, you can take a taxi.
In the capital of Belarus, Minsk, there is a metro. To rent a car, you will need a foreign or general passport, as well as an international driver’s license. Also, you must not be under the age of 21.
Tourist safety
Before traveling to the country, it is better to be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, tetanus, diphtheria, typhoid and polio, although there are no natural foci of these diseases in the country.
Approximately a quarter of the territory of Belarus is located in the zone contaminated with radiation after the Chernobyl accident, so you should refrain from eating local products such as wild berries, mushrooms, and dairy products there.
The shops
Almost all large stores are open from 9-10 am to 20-21 pm. Supermarkets are open a little longer – until 22-23 hours. Stalls and small shops that work around the clock are quite widespread. See liuxers for Belarus customs and traditions.
Shopping
VAT in the country is 20.6%. For luxury goods, it is slightly higher – 33%. Usually this tax is already included in the price of the goods. Tourists have the opportunity to get a tax refund on purchases over 185 euros.
As a souvenir from the country, it is best to bring objects of applied art – products made of straw or reeds, painted chests, towels, all kinds of embroideries, ceramics, products woven from straw or vines and much more.
Electricity
Mains voltage – 220 V.
Tips
The tip is usually 10% of the total bill. In many hotels in large cities of the country, from 5 to 15% of the price of accommodation is added to the bill. Tipping is added to the bill separately. It is customary to give porters and porters 1-2$, waiters – about 5-10% of the order amount. In a taxi, it is simply customary to round the fare up.
Health
Medical insurance policies issued in Russia are not valid in Belarus.
Only ambulance and emergency care is free for Russian citizens, you will have to pay for everything else.
Accommodation
As in other countries, in Belarus there are a number of hotels and inns absolutely for every taste and budget. Most of them are in more or less large cities of the country.
