How to Find Hotels in Belarus

Nestled in forests that cover nearly one-third of the country, Belarus has a rich and complex history. Discover some of the world's most prized historical structures including Mir Castle, Nesvizh Castle and Church, and the Struve Geodetic Arc.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access for making reservations
• Passport and appropriate visa

Prepare for Your Stay in Belarus

1. Purchase a tourist visa before you arrive at the airport to avoid complications and hassles when you get to the border crossing. They are available for purchase there, but will significantly add to your stress.
2. Plan your trip to Belarus during July if you can. The temperature is the most conducive to travel at that time and you will miss the rainy season.

Transportation in Belarus

3. Take the underground metro for a quick way to travel around Minsk without breaking the bank. No matter how far you go, you can currently expect to pay between $.25 and $.50 per ride.
4. Get around Belarus by taxi, but make sure the driver turns on the meter before the car moves because many drivers will try to inflate your fare. A trip within Minsk should currently cost between $5 and $8, while a ride from the airport to the city center will be about $30.
5. Rent a car if you prefer to trek on your own time and at your own pace. There are two rental locations in Minsk--one at the airport and one at the Hotel Belarus.

Choose Your Accommodations in Belarus

6. To book accommodations, contact Belintourist at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below). Plan to skip the lowest priced accommodations and opt for the mid-level instead. Even in this range, you can find rooms for $20 to $50 per night and the extra you spend will be worth it.
7. Book a higher priced room, such as a chain hotel, for about $50 to 120 per night. These accommodations have the look and feel of something you could find in the United States.
8. Stay in a deluxe hotel if you don't mind spending more than $120 per night. You can expect to find amenities that befit a four or five star hotel at this price.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you have vaccinations against hepatitis A and B before traveling to Belarus. All types of hepatitis are present in the area, though there are only vaccinations for A and B. Avoid high-risk situations to help guard yourself against the other types of hepatitis.
• All phone numbers include the international prefix "011." When calling internationally but not from the United States or Canada, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.