How to Find Hotels in Minsk, Belarus

Minsk is the capital of Belarus and located conveniently near both the Baltic and Black Seas, with Lithuania and Russia serving as two of its international borders. The country is steeped in Soviet history, but modern day Minsk is a clean and interesting locale to visit. Read on to learn how to find accommodations in Minsk, Belarus.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• Passport
• Visa

Book Accommodations

1. Research accommodations through the Belintourist Tourism Department Web site. See the Resources section below for a link or call 011 ([phone].
2. Try business-class accommodations either in the city center or the western part of Minsk for affordable lodging. These often include Internet access and a private bath.
3. Look for budget accommodations in Minsk at one of the smaller hotels, which often have friendly staff and cozy atmospheres.
4. Stay in the city center for reasonably priced accommodations. These hotels often feature restaurants, bars, casinos, nightclubs and fitness centers.

Find Transportation

5. Fly into Minsk National Airport, which has connections to many other smaller airports, as well as an exchange office and taxi service.
6. Buy a ticket for the bus, which runs every hour from the airport into the city from the Central Bus Terminal.
7. Make reservations for the national airline, Belaria, for flights to all the major cities in Europe.
8. Opt for the train leaving from the Minsk Central Rail Terminal. The train travels to every major capital city within Europe.

Know Your Destination

9. Sharpen your Russian language skills, as it and Belarusian are the two official languages of Belarus.
10. Enjoy the warm and damp summers and brisk winters.
11. Purchase a travel visa before traveling to Minsk for a moderate fee.
12. Exchange money for ruble, which is the national currency of Belarus.

Visit Local Attractions

13. Explore the ruins of the Palace of Magnate Sapega, which are historical and very impressive to view.
14. Stop by the Mir Castle to delve into a prime example of 16th century art and architecture.
15. Journey south of Minsk to Dudutki for the open-air museum that demonstrates all aspects of life in Belarus during the 19th century. Take in the crafts, pottery, baking and even eat a traditional meal.

Tips & Warnings

• Book accommodations over the Internet to get special group rates and more.
• If traveling anywhere in Belarus, be sure to have the proper documentation on hand, including a visa, which can even be obtained in the Minsk airport.
• All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00."
• All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.

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