Local Tips

Each country can certainly present some unique things or situations that will not surprise a local resident, but can confuse a foreign guest. We have made up a list of issues that often arouse questions in many travelers.

GMT +2

The state currency in Belarus is Belarusian ruble (BYR or Br) and all payments are normally carried out in the local currency. Most banks and major department stores are equipped with currency exchange offices. You can pay by credit card – but VISA and MasterCard are accepted only in major department stores, hotels, restaurants.

• 1 January – New Year
• 7 January – Orthodox Christmas
• 8 March – Women Day
• 2 April – The day of Unification of Russian and Belarusian people;
• Spring - Radunitsa (1-day holiday, no fixed date)
• 1 May – Labour Day
• 9 May – Victory Day
• 3 July – Independence Day
• 7 November – October Revolution Day
• 25 December – Catholic Christmas

Voucher is a travel services contract that contains general provisions of your cooperation with a travel agency and lists the services you booked through this agency and prepaid for. In most cases it is not obligatory to have this document before the trip to Belarus even when arranging visa support. However, we provide it on request from the traveler or Belarusian Consulate after the services have been paid for.

Once in Belarus, a foreigner must take care of his/ her registration within 3 business days at the local police department (Citizenship and Migration Department). Registration is a seal put on your migration card. It is processed by licensed accommodation providers (hotels, hostels) within a few minutes or by a natural person, (the citizen of Belarus, your host at whose place you are staying) within 3 business days.

All major cities have an efficient system of public transport: busses, trolley busses, trams and subway (Minsk only). The travel fair is quite low – currently Br 600 in Minsk (around USD 0,25) and slightly less in other cities. Again, the tickets can often be bought at the stops or stations (in case with metro) or from a uniformed conductress on board (land transport).

You can use shuttle buses or trains to travel from city to city. Tickets can be bought at the railway and bus stations and the licensed vehicles depart only from the stations.

If you want to spare the time getting somewhere in your city you may use a taxi vehicle. Licensed and thus most reliable transportation providers have yellow number plates on their cars. On boarding the vehicle either make sure that the car is equipped with a meter that works or agree over the price before departure. Naturally, the best way to travel around at competitive prices is by arranging your car through SMOK Travel ltd.

The international country code of Belarus is 375 if you dial from abroad. To make an international call from Belarus dial 8-10-country code-country number when using a landline.

When in Belarus you should be aware of the phones of emergency services and inquiries:

• 101 – firefighters
• 102 – police
• 103 - ambulance
• 104 – gas service
• 105 – railway inquiry
• 106 – airport inquiry

European 2-pin sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz