Belarus is a very attractive place for recreation and tourism for Russians. This is the opportunity to communicate in their native language, and a wonderful mild climate with unique nature, and architecture with its unforgettable castles, and shopping at pleasing prices.
Trips to the countries of the former CIS are extremely popular among Russian citizens. When crossing the borders of these states, there are a lot of disagreements, so there are many questions about what kind of documents to go to a particular country. Against this background, Belarus stands out favorably with its visa-free regime.
With this country, Russia signed an alliance treaty in 1997. According to its regulations, there is no border control. Later, transport control was also abolished. , you can enter this republic with internal Russian documents.
The easiest in terms of paperwork, and therefore popular, is traveling to Belarus by train.
It is also considered the most budgetary, since gasoline is currently more expensive in Belarus. If when traveling by car you have to issue additional documents for the car, and the accumulation of cars at the border causes a traffic jam and loss of time, then traveling by train is really hassle-free.
You can also travel to Belarus in 2020 without a visa. At the border, they are required to present both a general civil Russian and a foreign passport. No marks in the passports at the entrance to the country are affixed.
When crossing Belarus for the purpose of visiting other countries, it is not required transit visa. You can freely stay on its territory. You will need to have permission to enter another country.
During the train journey, there is no special stop at the border for the purpose of checking passports and screening. Documents are checked when boarding the train along with tickets.
Checking documents when boarding a train
The train is also comfortable.
If you have doubts about the quality of service on railway transport, then there is no need to worry. Both sides - both Russian and Belarusian - allocate modern, comfortable compartment cars and reserved seats with a high level of service for trips. True, you should not take tickets for additional trains or wagons: here you can expect an unpleasant exception to the rule.
Coupe cars in Moscow-Minsk trains
When calculating the travel time, be guided by the Moscow-Minsk route, which takes an average of 8 to 10 hours.
The fare is approximately equal to the price of plane tickets and ranges from 3 to 5 thousand rubles per person one way. The number of trains is also pleasing: up to a dozen trains depart from Moscow every day.
If you are traveling with children
When boarding a train in Belarus, one child under 5 years old is allowed free travel. For children from 5 to 10 years old, the fare is one third of the ticket for adults. Children under 10 years of age are not allowed to travel on the train without an adult accompaniment.
If you are traveling with children under the age of 14, they must be entered in your passport. They need to have a birth certificate. Children over 14 years of age must present a personal passport.
If a minor travels alone, a number of documents must be prepared. This is also true if one parent is traveling with the child and the other is not. If, according to the documents, the second parent does not exist - the child is brought up by one of the parents who is single by status - then this must be evidenced by the appropriate document.
- This may be a death certificate or a certificate from the registry office stating that the entry about the second parent was made according to the mother.
- Certificate from the police: if it is not possible to determine the place of residence of one of the parents.
- Also presented is the existing court decision on the deprivation of parental rights.
- It is obligatory to submit certificates of marriage or divorce of parents, passports.
Appearance of the marriage certificate
But these complications in the documentation are not related to . They belong to
How much money do you need? The needs are different, but if you stipulate a weekly minimum, then 15 thousand rubles a week can make you a wealthy person. A simple hearty lunch costs from 200 rubles.
The amount of foreign currency upon importation is not limited, but more than 10 thousand dollars is subject to mandatory declaration. The declaration must be kept before leaving the country. Prohibited for import:
- things of historical value;
- any media (printed, electronic, audio) that poses a threat to the security of the country, causing harm to the health, interests of its citizens;
- narcotic substances;
- ammunition and firearms without permits;
- narcotic and psychotropic substances;
- poisonous, radioactive and explosive;
- transportation of plants and animals without appropriate permits from phyto and veterinary control.
- more than one wrist watch;
- more than 3 genuine leather or fur jackets;
- jewelry over 6 pieces;
- more than 4 tires per person.
Belarus is one of the lastterra incognita in Europe and a curious place for travelers weary of gingerbread European cities. Visa restrictions are becoming softer, and Belarus is becoming more and more interesting for foreigners. We have studied dozens of official websites, translated the most important things into human language, collected all the necessary links and now we are telling you step by step how to come to Belarus - from visas and registrations to useful applications.The health insurance policy of the Russian Federation is not accepted on the territory of Belarus, but you can be sure that you can always get free emergency medical care.
Who needs a visa?
There are three types of visas in Belarus: transit (for 2 days), short-term (valid for 90 days) and long-term (valid for a year, stay - 90 days). Short-term is suitable for tourists, it can be single, double or multiple entry. If you come for a short time and meet certain conditions, you will not need a visa. We understand the intricacies of visa issues.
Without a visa
For some countries, a visa is not needed for short trips:
Citizens Azerbaijan(90 days)
Citizens Argentina(90 days)
Citizens Armenia(90 days)
Citizens Brazil(twice a year up to 90 days)
Citizens Venezuela(90 days)
Citizens Georgia(90 days
Citizens Israel(90 days in each period of 180 days)
Citizens Qatar(30 days)
Citizens Cuba(30 days)
Citizens Kyrgyzstan(90 days)
Citizens Macau, Special Administrative Region of China (30 days)
Citizens Macedonia(if you have an invitation or a tourist voucher)
Citizens Moldova(90 days)
Citizens Mongolia(90 days)
Citizens Russia(90 days)
Citizens Serbia(30 days)
Citizens Tajikistan(90 days)
Citizens Turkey(30 days, total duration - up to 90 days within a year from the date of first entry)
Citizens Uzbekistan(90 days)
Citizens Ukraine(90 days within each period of 180 days)
Citizens Montenegro(30 days with invitation or travel voucher)
Citizens Ecuador(30 days)
Citizens of 80 states can come to Belarus without a visa for(including days of arrival and departure). The conditions are as follows: you must definitely arrive and depart through Minsk National Airport. The number of countries for which entry to Belarus is simplified includes all EU states, the USA, Japan, Brazil, Indonesia and other countries.
Required documents:
Passport;
Money in calculation 2 base units per day, i.e. about €22;
Medical insurance policy in the amount of at least € 10,000, valid in Belarus (how to get insurance, read below).
Additional requirement for citizens Vietnam, Haiti, Gambia, Honduras, India, China, Lebanon, Namibia, Samoa- the presence of a multiple-entry visa of the EU states or the Schengen zone with a mark of entry into their territory and air tickets with confirmation of departure from the National Airport "Minsk" within 5 days from the date of entry.
The full list of countries that can benefit from visa-free entry:
1. Australia.
2. Austria.
3. Albania.
4. Andorra.
5. Antigua and Barbuda.
6. Argentina.
7. Barbados.
8. Bahrain.
9. Belgium.
10. Bulgaria.
11. Bosnia and Herzegovina.
12. Brazil.
13. Vanuatu.
14. Vatican.
15. UK.
16. Hungary.
17. Vietnam.
18. Haiti.
19. Gambia.
20. Germany.
21. Honduras.
22. Hong Kong.
23. Greece.
24. Denmark.
25. Dominica.
26. India.
27. Indonesia.
28. Ireland.
29. Iceland.
30. Spain.
31. Italy.
32. Canada.
33. Cyprus.
34. China.
35. South Korea.
36. Kuwait.
37. Latvia.
38. Lebanon.
39. Lithuania.
40. Liechtenstein.
41. Luxembourg.
42. Macau.
43. Macedonia.
44. Malaysia.
45. Malta.
46. Order of Malta.
47. Mexico.
48. Micronesia.
49. Monaco.
50. Namibia.
51. Netherlands.
52. Nicaragua.
53. New Zealand.
54. Norway.
55. Oman.
56. Panama.
57. Peru.
58. Poland.
59. Portugal.
60. Romania.
61. Samoa.
62. San Marino.
63. Saudi Arabia.
64. Seychelles.
65. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
66. Singapore.
67. Slovakia.
68. Slovenia.
69. USA.
70. Uruguay.
71. Finland.
72. France.
73. Croatia.
74. Czech Republic.
75. Chile.
76. Switzerland.
77. Sweden.
78. Salvador.
79. Estonia.
80. Japan.
There are two more ways to come to Belarus without a visa for three days - guilt .
More about visa-free entry in Belarus read .
Visa
Everyone else needs a visa. To obtain a visa, you need to contact the Belarusian consulate in your country. In the same place, specify what documents you need - in different countries there may be minor differences, but usually the list is:
Completed visa application form
Photo 35 by 45 mm, taken within the last 6 months,
Passport,
Medical insurance,
Confirmation of payment of the consular fee,
Other visa support documents.
Visa support documents must confirm your purpose of stay in Belarus - it can be an invitation from your friends or a contract of tourist services from a travel agency. Good news: according to the decision of the consul in a particular consulate for many countries, such documents are not needed (lucky citizens of Australia, Austria, Andorra, Argentina, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, Great Britain, Hungary, Germany, Hong Kong SAR of China, Greece, Denmark, Ireland , Iceland, Spain, Italy, Canada, Qatar, Cyprus, Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macao, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, United United Arab Emirates, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, USA, Uruguay, Finland, France, Croatia, Czech Republic, Chile, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia and Japan) - call your consulate in advance and clarify the situation.
Your visa will be ready within 5 working days from the date of application (urgent - within 2 working days, but you will have to pay extra).
You can get a visa at the airport (at the consular office of Minsk National Airport ) if you are arriving on a direct flight. Please note that in this case, the visa will cost about twice as much, and the documents must be sent to Visa Center at the airport - they should be there at least four days before your arrival - check with friends or the visa agency. Postal address: 220054, Minsk, the territory of the National Airport Minsk, Department for the entry of foreigners of the main consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, telephone +375172792058 . Accepted documents must be stamped with a special seal - ask them to send you a copy by fax or e-mail, they will need to be shown to the airline staff when checking in for the flight. The consular fee at the airport can only be paid in cash in euros.
How to make insurance?
All foreigners who come to Belarus need insurance. This can be insurance from Belgosstrakh or Beleximgarant, which you can buy at the border (at the airport or border points, look for a window with the inscription Obligatory medical insurance), or insurance bought elsewhere. You can pay for insurance in Belarusian or Russian rubles, dollars or euros (insurance for 30 days will cost € 31, for 90 days - € 89) .
If you are going to Belarus for a period of less than 30 days, you should have money with you in the equivalent of two basic units per day of stay (as of November 2017, this is about 46 BYN or € 23 per day), and if you are going for a longer period, then do not less than 50 base for all time (1150 BYN or €575).
Important: make sure that a couple of bills are not accidentally lying around in your documents (this can be regarded as a bribe). At the border, you can not take pictures or shoot videos, talk on your mobile.
You can carry with you no more than three liters of alcohol, 200 cigarettes (if you prefer cigars or tobacco - 50 pieces or 250 g, respectively). In total, you can carry 50 kg of luggage with you, but if you suddenly have more of it, you will have to pay at least € 4 for each extra kilogram. If you carry more than $ 10,000 in cash, you will have to declare it. Weapons, drugs and explosives cannot be brought in - there are no surprises here. If or other animal, you will have to prepare a veterinary certificate.
All the details about what you can carry across the border of Belarus, read .
How to get to Minsk from the airport?
You can change money at banks or currency exchange offices (there are hotels, airports, railway stations, hypermarkets). There is no commission for the exchange, most often they change dollars, euros and Russian rubles. You can withdraw euros or dollars from ATMs or pay with a card, especially since they are accepted almost everywhere.
How to use public transport?
In the cities of Belarus there are all types of transport - buses, trolleybuses, trams and fixed-route taxis(minibuses - "minibuses"). There are two lines in Minsk metro. Buy tickets at the newsstands "Belsayuzdruk" or "Minsktrans" at stops or directly from the driver (they will be 0.05 BYN more expensive).
In Minsk, a ticket for one trip to land transport will cost you 0.6 BYN (€ 0.2), the metro costs 0.65 BYN (€ 0.25).
If you come to Minsk for several days and plan to actively use transport, you can buy a travel card for a certain number of trips (from 10 to 100 trips, it will cost from 5.70 BYN / 2.5 € to 62.25 BYN / 27 € ).
There are travel cards for the number of days (for 1, 2, 3, 10, 15, 30, 90 days) - they can be bought for a separate type of transport or in their combination (the price in this case varies from 2.97 BYN / 1 € for day to 109.59 BYN/50 € for 90 days, the number of trips is not limited). Choose the option that suits you.
Every time you get on the transport, put your card on a special device at the door or punch a ticket - the device will beep approvingly, and your soul will be calm in case of checks, which happen quite often. Fine for hares - 11.5 BYN (€ 5), you need to pay it on the spot.
Transport runs on schedule - check the time and routes on the website. There is also an experimental version of the city route planner. Many stops have electronic scoreboards, where you can see how many minutes are left until the next bus.
There are no night buses in Minsk, the metro operates until 00.40. After this time, own legs and taxis become the main mode of transport - you can call by numbers 7788, 135, 157, 152, 107 . A trip of 8-10 km will result in € 3-4. Works also Uber, you can get from one end of the city to the other for € 10.
How to make a temporary registration?
If you have a passport of Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia or Ukraine - you can relax about this item, you can stay in Belarus for up to 30 days without registration. If you live in a hotel, sanatorium or farmstead, you don’t have to worry either, the staff will do everything for you.
Everyone else needs to make a temporary registration at the Department of Citizenship and Migration at the place of actual residence within five working days (Sundays and official holidays do not count) (there is a list of district offices with addresses and working hours).
If you are going to stay in Minsk, you can choose a luxury five-star hotel depending on your budget ( Renaissance Minsk Hotel Marriott networks (Dzerzhinsky Ave., 1e)), a retro-style hotel that conveys the architectural spirit of the USSR (for example, Orbit (Pushkin Ave., 39)) or hostel (for example, Trinity (St. Starovilenskaya, 12/14). More options - in ours.
How to issue Tax Free?
If you do shopping in one store for 80 BYN or more within one day, you can apply for Tax Free. This is only valid in stores participating in the return program - see the list.
In the store, you must issue a special “VAT refund check” (show the employee a regular cash receipt and your passport). The return check will be issued in two copies - one for you, one remains in the store. Make sure that your details are correct, that the seller's signature and the store's seal are in place, and the original cash receipt is attached.
When you leave Belarus, show customs officers your purchases (must be unused and in undamaged packaging), VAT refund receipt and passport. You will be given a check-out stamp (remember that this must be done within three months from the date of purchase).
When you arrive home, reverse side On the VAT refund check, indicate the details of your bank card and send it by mail (the already prepared envelope to the address of RUE "Beltamozhservice" should be given to you along with the check). Do not delay - in six months it will already be irrelevant. Within 30 days after Beltamozhservice receives your letter, they will transfer the money to your card.
Summer, as you know, is the time for vacations, the very time when many decide where to spend their vacation time. At the same time, among the many "summer" destinations, the Republic of Belarus is becoming increasingly popular, where there are a large number of attractions, sanatoriums and recreation areas in the Braslav Lakes region.
In this regard, many motorists are interested in what features and difficulties those drivers who are going to go to Belarus by car may face.
Crossing the state border
Border control between Belarus and Russian Federation is, in fact, fiction. Only heavy vehicles (trucks) are subject to inspection.
For individuals in their own car, it is not even required to stop at the checkpoint. However, upon returning back to Russia, you can still be stopped to check your passports, which, however, does not take much time.
The only significant nuance in preparing for the trip is the purchase of international green card insurance. This insurance policy is an analogue, but in an international format and you can buy it for a period of 15 days to one year.
At the same time, the purchase of a policy for long terms costs significantly less than the "short-term". After the crisis, the prices for "green cards" increased slightly, but their cost remains very affordable - from seven hundred rubles to almost five thousand rubles for a policy that is valid throughout the year.
Up-to-date information on the prices for green card insurance can be found on specialized websites - the information offered there allows you to fairly accurately calculate the cost of insurance for various travel dates.
At the same time, you can buy the policy itself both at the insurance company at the place of residence (by the way, not all insurers sell insurance of this type), and directly at the border - in front of each large checkpoint there is a huge number of small "representations" of insurers like " booth”, where you can become the owner of the coveted policy. For its registration, you only need a vehicle passport (PTS), and the procedure itself takes about ten minutes.
Otherwise, you will need a standard and general passport for the trip (as we already wrote, border guards may require it).
Driving on the roads, traffic rules and communication with law enforcement officials
Riding on Belarusian roads leaves, in most cases, a very pleasant impression on the Russians. High quality coating, clear road markings, timely repair of irregularities are the first advantages that catch the eye. Even in rural areas (away from the main highways) the quality of the roads pleases.
Carrying out the road works themselves does not bother either - all narrowings of the roadbed have a full range of designations, and on the most difficult sections there are detours with temporary markings, which are also of high quality pavement.
From the point of view, driving in Belarus, at first glance, is no different from Russia. However, there are some nuances here.
In particular, the action of a road sign does not extend to the first intersection, but to the first designated intersection, that is, the one at which the corresponding sign is installed. This should also be remembered.
In the Republic of Belarus, it is very important to remember that those drivers who are already moving in a circle have priority, unless otherwise specified by road signs.
Speed control in the Republic of Belarus is very strict and can turn into a number of problems for a Russian who is counting on impunity. Thus, a fine for speeding, calculated in the so-called "base values", can be quite impressive.
In addition, a citizen who has violated traffic rules, no matter what country, is entered into a single database, and subsequent speeding by more than 25 kilometers per hour can result in not only a fine, but also deprivation of "rights".
Separately, it is worth mentioning the systems of automatic video recording of violations. There are quite a lot of "cameras" on the roads of Belarus, they are installed in almost every settlement, near which there is a corresponding designation.
The State traffic inspectorate of the Republic of Belarus uses very modern systems that take pictures from the rear of the car. Such complexes are practically not fixed (the latter “detect” their operation only at the moment of direct passage and, as a result, do not allow the car to slow down in a timely manner).
Previously, Russians could not be afraid of "letters of happiness", but over the past year the situation has changed radically. In particular, cameras are being installed at the main checkpoints between Russia and Belarus, which record the numbers of passing cars in advance.
In the event that a car has a fine issued by an automatic system, traffic police officers stop the car and may require payment of the fine before leaving the country.
Another important point can be called very severe sanctions against drivers who have abused alcohol. Initially, a motorist who has sat behind the wheel is deprived of a driver's license and a large fine is imposed.
A repeated violation leads to the fact that the traffic police seizes the offender's car, which turns into state revenue and goes under the hammer. At the same time, this law also applies to citizens of other states - there are relevant agreements between Belarus and Russia.
Communication with employees of the State traffic inspectorate in Belarus also differs in some nuances. The main one lies in the fact that in most cases it will not be possible to give a bribe to a traffic police officer.
This was achieved in the republic by the fact that traffic cops have very good salaries and can easily get a real term without the right to work in state bodies if they try to increase income at the expense of a motorist.
Nevertheless, in the most “popular” directions among Russians, there are rare cases (during the three years of frequent trips, the author of these lines had to deal with this only once) of abuse by traffic police inspectors.
These abuses consist in the use of the laws of Belarus in relation to Russians who are not familiar with them. This applies to tinting on the rear windows, which, in accordance with local laws, is completely prohibited.
This aspect concerns only Vehicle registered in the Republic of Belarus, and if the inspector tries to impose an appropriate fine on you, you can safely suggest that he go to the head of the traffic police of the corresponding district or threaten to file a complaint with higher authorities.
This will be enough for the zealous servant of order to reconsider his decision. In fact, these difficulties are the only ones that can be encountered on the journey.
The main destinations for recreation in Belarus
In most cases, Russians prefer to relax central part Belarus, where most of the sights and boarding houses for recreation are located.
No less popular are the Braslav Lakes, which are distinguished by their beauty and the presence of a huge number of health resorts. Slightly less popular Belovezhskaya Pushcha due to its relative remoteness.
Regardless of the choice of direction of travel, trips around Belarus leave favorable impressions, and tourism infrastructure in the republic is located on a very high level.
When preparing for a trip to Belarus, we recommend
Finally, our trip to Belarus began. We were a little delayed with the trip and got ready to go only at the end of June 2018. I have long wanted to visit this country, about which I have heard so much. The funny thing is that the way to Belarus, or rather to Minsk from Moscow, turned out to be one of the easiest road trips we have ever been on. And was it worth the effort? However, the road will be discussed in this article. And about the road with a baby under the age of six months, who is not even sitting yet - this is our first experience. Looking ahead, I’ll say that the Moscow-Minsk route by car is ideal for beginners.
The distance from Moscow to Minsk is only 717 kilometers, according to Google maps, which we decided to use this year as an experiment. Before that, they used navigation from Novitel. Although I did my first route on paper maps is also a unique experience. However, I will return to the road to Belarus.
Google offers three routes from Moscow to Belarus to choose from, see the map below:
- Fast route on M1(marked with toll roads) with a distance from Moscow to Minsk 717 km. Travel time is just over 8 hours.
- Average mileage on the A-130 highway through Mogilev
- Long route along the M9 highway through Velikiye Luki and Vitebsk region 841 km long
In fact, we left Kaluga region, through Protvino and Obolensk, so the navigator did not offer us the most long route He is too far away from us. Trusting the description and common sense, we chose the M1 track, almost straight, almost free. The mark "toll road" did not bother us. On the Russian side, we did not meet paid sections (it is on the outskirts of Moscow), in Belarus for Russian citizens, the use of roads is also free.
In choosing a route big role the travel time and the quality of the road played a role, since, I repeat, we went to Minsk with our whole small family, including Timofey. And for him it was the first such a long move. I think I will talk in a separate article about what it is like to drive with a baby in a car. The experience of the Minsk trip turned out to be very interesting
I would like to emphasize that this route is ideal for beginners in auto travel. There are several reasons for this:
- A short distance from Moscow to Minsk - only 717 kilometers
- Short travel time. Especially without straining the whole way can be done in 9-10 hours
- Simple road. Everywhere four lanes no problem with overtaking
For comparison, no less interesting, but slightly more complex, our road trips you can see in the following series of articles:
Road to the border with Belarus
As I said, we still had to go to the M1 highway. In fact, we got almost from the M2 itself (who's to blame that it was in that area that we spent several days before the road) along the A108. I suspect that when leaving Podolsk, we would even save a little travel time. And from Moscow to Minsk we would have reached a couple of hours faster. This is due to the A108 highway with periodic passage of residential areas, where cameras and radars are installed all over the place, and the permissible speed is 40 km / h
Highway M1 Moscow - Minsk, police, cameras in Russia
Coming out on the M1 highway, we hurried to the gas station. And the price of gasoline in Russia has risen! We refueled to a full tank for 1800 rubles, according to my calculations, this should have been enough until Minsk itself. By the way, in Belarus, gasoline is a little cheaper, given the last May price increase in Russia and the change in the ruble exchange rate.
What was striking on the way to Minsk from Moscow by car was the abundance of patrols and cameras on the road. In addition to the stationary cameras with which almost all the villages located along the M1 highway on the way to Belarus are equipped, we also met probably about 7 patrols, and somewhere with a couple of dozen tripods. And according to the good old tradition, the police are in the bushes, the tripod is covered by a civilian car- in general, a classic of the genre.
Of course, I tried to keep the speed limit as much as possible. At one time, I even joined a Belarusian truck - a very useful life hack for those who do not want to bring fines home. However, I am almost sure that it will not do without letters of happiness, our guardians of order are painfully good at hiding, and even put up unexpected signs. In general, they moved carefully, like sappers.
The road from Moscow to Belarus, description and reviews
The paid understudy of the M1 highway starts in the area of the Molodogvardeiskaya transport interchange of the Moscow Ring Road and ends at the 33rd km of the Minsk highway. The road goes around the city of Odintsovo. The length of the toll road is 18.535 km, the fare is 150 and 50 rubles during the day and at night, respectively.
All highway M1 all the way from our exit to it, to Minsk turned out to be a four-lane— a definite plus for any route. Taking into account the small load, it was a pleasure to drive like that at all - it’s not on a two-lane highway for kilometers to reach for trucks in anticipation of the coveted permission to overtake. Perhaps it seemed to me, but the lanes of the road were slightly narrower, at least compared to the usual highways. Two trucks without much comfort fit on the road. Yes, and it was not very convenient for me to overtake them on turns.
Please note that on the M1 Moscow-Minsk highway, from the Russian side almost everywhere the limit is 90 km/h, of course, not counting the settlements. In addition, there were often signs with a limit of up to 70 km / h, and behind them portable cameras. By the way, it was these signs that made me doubt that the M1 is a motorway
I would like to point out regarding high quality road surface. When driving at the permitted speed, there is no risk of losing the suspension - and this is already a good indicator for our roads. However last years i ride on paid sections M4 and on the free part of Leningradka in both cases I am also satisfied with the roads. This is me to the fact that in the central region the issue of roads, although slowly, is being solved.
Where to eat on the way to Belarus, stops along the way
Since we were traveling with a small child in the car, we had to make extra stops. After all, Timofey is not used to long trips by car, and in the infant carrier the position is not the most convenient, although safe. I will return to it in a separate article, but perhaps I will describe our stops.
First stop was at a Gazprom Neft gas station.. We also had lunch at the local cafeteria next door. The prices turned out to be quite friendly - our dinner cost us 380 rubles (the first two, plus a side dish and one Kiev cutlet for two). The food was delicious and nutritious. Portions are not big - travel
Second stop at the source of the Moskva River. More to give my son some rest. However, in this place we found about a dozen comfortable pavilions where you can stop and have a bite to eat. Despite the inscription "making fire is prohibited" on the territory there were several barbecues and a large fire pit, nomadic motorists. In general, it would be with you a bucket of barbecue, it is quite possible to sit and have a bite to eat.
We made one more stop in the village of Istomino. Just like that, for no particular reason. The village turned out to be exemplary. Just 300 meters from the Moscow-Belarus highway, the asphalt ends and the Russian outback begins. It's also not the most colorful. It should be noted that approximately after this village, the number of cameras on the road began to decline sharply.
From all countries former USSR The easiest way to get to Belarus is by car. Although the path from Moscow to Minsk is not close, 720 kilometers, it can be overcome very quickly with full observance of the speed limit, in just eight hours.
Even at five in the morning, a small traffic jam had already formed at the exit from Moscow for 10 minutes due to road repairs. Photo: AIF / Denis Sveshnikov
There are a lot of photo and video cameras along the way, both from the Russian and Belarusian sides. The local traffic police does not forgive violators. Exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 km / h can cost up to 7,000 rubles. And this is not the most severe punishment. For a repeated violation, you will have to part with the rights for a period of up to a year.
Roads in Belarus are of better quality than Russian ones and are not as busy. Photo: AIF / Denis Sveshnikov
There is no need to prepare for crossing the border, because, by and large, there is none. All preparation consists only in the purchase of " green card"- a compulsory car insurance policy for traveling abroad. If you travel only in Belarus, the cost of the document will be only about 900 rubles. It is almost impossible to forget about this nuance - along the road, starting from Smolensk, there are constantly kiosks with huge signs "Green Card". In order not to waste time on the road, it is better to arrange everything in advance.
Photo: AIF / Denis Sveshnikov
Directly at the border, customs officers can selectively stop cars to check documents, but this, in any case, does not take time. Giant traffic jams and queues should not be expected even on holidays. The quality of the road is excellent almost all the way, except for a couple of repaired sections with two lanes for traffic in each direction. The Belarusian part of the route is better in every sense and not only in terms of the quality of the coverage. Firstly, the speed limit is higher here - 120 against Russian 90 km / h. Secondly, the highway never passes through settlements, so you can drive all the way from the border to Minsk without changing your speed at all.
However, on long holiday weekends, it is better to leave Moscow in advance. Although leaving at five in the morning on a weekend or on the night from Friday to Saturday, few people can please, but even half an hour of delay will affect the total time on the road. In addition to the traditional traffic from summer residents and other vacationers, the situation is aggravated by repairs in the Minsk direction in the Kubinka area. At 7-11 in the morning on the way from Moscow and at 19-22 when returning back, you can lose more than an hour here. As an option, go around Novorizhskoe highway and Ruza.
If you want to visit Brest, you can spend the night in one of the park hotels with private parking near the city. Photo: AIF / Denis Sveshnikov
It is better to refuel up to the border "to the eyeballs", because in Belarus gasoline is on average 3-4 rubles more expensive per liter. Savings are not significant, but nonetheless. Taking into account the trip to Brest and the outskirts of Minsk, with an average fuel consumption on our Suzuki Vitara of 7.8 liters per hundred, 7,500 rubles were spent on gasoline. Even if you go not with a company, but at least together, it will turn out to be significantly cheaper than by any other mode of transport.
It is worth taking care immediately upon entering Belarus of the local currency. Pair exchange offices there is literally a few kilometers after the border. If you miss them, there will be nowhere to change money until Minsk itself. However, there is still no problem. In Belarus, and in the most shabby roadside cafes, where it’s scary just to be, they accept bank cards.
Mir Castle. Photo: AIF / Denis Sveshnikov
Nesvizh Castle. Photo: AIF / Denis Sveshnikov
You can see a lot in three days. Mir and Nesvizh castles with picturesque parks and museum complex Dudutki is located very close to the capital, the road will take no more than an hour. In Minsk itself, getting around by car is not difficult. The avenues are wide, the interchanges are simple, and there are few cars. And the main attractions are concentrated in the city center. You can leave your car and take a taxi — given the small area of Minsk, almost any trip will cost no more than 500 rubles.
In the center of Minsk there are many hotels with free guarded parking lots. Photo: AIF / Denis Sveshnikov
Single rooms in three-star hotels on holidays cost an average of 2.5 thousand rubles. It’s convenient to rent an apartment for a company – it’s even cheaper for one person. And, of course, there is no limit to perfection.
In cafes and restaurants, Russians will feel like millionaires. True, we must also try to dine for more than a million Belarusian rubles. Food in Minsk and during the influx of tourists is inexpensive. Without denying yourself anything, in restaurants, most likely, you won’t leave more than 2,500 rubles a day.
Brest Fortress. Photo: AIF / Denis Sveshnikov
As for the upcoming Victory Day, events in Minsk in the Stalin Line complex will last from May 7 to 9. You can see the reconstruction of the battle for Berlin. Fireworks will take place on the day of the holiday at 22:00. The concert program, which also ends with fireworks, will also be held in the Brest Fortress. However, only residents of neighboring regions will be able to stay for the celebrations in Brest and return to the working day. The way back to Moscow is more than 1000 kilometers, which, despite the good road, will take a lot of time and effort.