How to Find Cheap Hotels in Belarus

Belarus is a flat, marshy land of rivers bordered by Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia and the Ukraine. The region boasts one of the largest and oldest forests in Europe.

Things You'll Need

• Visa

Instructions

Choose Your Belarus Lodgings

1. Book accommodations in Belarus through the National Tourist Agency of the Republic of Belarus's Web site (see the Resources section below). You can also call the Belintourist Tourism Department at 011 ([phone] or 011 ([phone].

2. Continue your Soviet-era education in Brest, where you can check out ruins of an old Soviet fortress and snag accommodations for around $35 per night.

3. Look into renting an apartment if you plan to stay for a week or longer. Locals may sublease weekly at rates equivalent to one night in a nice hotel.

4. Find a Belarusian resident online who might be interested in a home swap. Go through the proper channels to be certain your guest is trustworthy.

5. Hunt for cheap deals in the capital city of Minsk. This town still shows influences of the former Soviet Union, and you can find accommodations starting around $50 per night.

Organize Transportation in Belarus

1. Book your flight through the National Airport Minsk. This airport services flights from major U.S. and European cities and may afford you a cheap rate compared with smaller airports.

2. Catch a bus to your accommodations to save some money on a cab. The bus leaves the airport every hour from early morning until 10:30 p.m.

3. Learn how to navigate the train system to avoid renting a car. Belarus's efficient railway is relatively cheap and can get you around with comfort and ease.

Know Your Destination

1. Plan your trip around the seasons. The summers are rainy and mild, and the winters are filled with frost and snow.

2. Rely on a method of payment other than traveler's checks. Businesses accept American money but not traveler's checks.

3. Practice your Russian, the most widely spoken language. However, feel free to add some phrases in Belarusian, which residents also use.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan ahead if you do not speak Russian. It's always a good idea to carry your hotel name and phone number with you, in case you get lost and can't ask for directions.

• Try and travel as a guest of the local businesses. Rates are cheaper for these travelers by as much as 50 percent.

• In phone numbers, all country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.

• All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, check the international prefix before dialing.

• Keep your eyes peeled when you go out at night, especially in the tourist areas. Crime makes walking on the street unsafe, so take a cab instead.