How to Find Cheap Hotels in Minsk Belarus

Minsk is the capital and largest city of Belarus, a landlocked nation sandwiched between Poland and Russia with the Baltic Republics bordering to its north. Historically, this has not been a promising location, as Belarus has been conquered by nearly every neighboring country at one time or another. With a population now exceeding 1.7 million, Minsk was all but decimated during World War II and is today a perfect mirror of Stalinist architecture circa 1950s Soviet Union. Belarus has been an independent republic since 1990.

Things You'll Need

• A valid passport good for at least 90 days following your departure
• A computer with Internet access for making reservations
• A visa

Instructions

Find Cheap Accommodations in Minsk, Belarus

1. Book lodging through the National Tourist Agency of the Republic of Belarus by phone at ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources below).

2. Explore finding cheap accommodations in the western side of Minsk near the central train station. A number of hotels with discount tourist rates have opened in the area in recent years.

3. Consider finding cheap accommodations in one of the guest apartments; quite a few of these facilities can be found near the Metro line, making getting around Minsk more convenient. Most offer comfortable, clean rooms in the $20-per-night range and will usually have the word 'accommodation' in the name.

4. Think about looking for lodging along the road leading into Minsk from the airport 20 miles to the east. This region is rapidly growing since the opening of the new airport several years ago, and public transit is plentiful to take you into downtown Minsk.

5. Search for a hostel in Minsk if dormitory-style accommodations are to your liking. There aren't many hostels in the city, but small proprietors are starting to convert their buildings into such facilities.

6. Look for a hotel along Minsk's busiest street, Masherov Avenue, running through the center of town. This area offers a number of modern hotels that offer rooms in the range of $50 per night.

Schedule Travel to Minsk, Belarus

1. Book a flight to Minsk International Airport, located about 25 miles to the east of the city. About half a dozen international carriers service the airport, mostly through other cities in Eastern Europe.

2. Consider taking the train to Minsk. Daily service is available from Berlin, Warsaw and Vilnius as well as from other East European cities.

Tips & Warnings

• Make certain your passport has at least one blank page for your visa.

• Much of Belarus retains the flavor of the old Soviet Union. English is not widely spoken here. The official languages are Belarusian and Russian.