Important Travel Notice: Due to the current political situation and their support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, most Western governments advise against any type of travel to Belarus. Travel options are limited, airspace is restricted for many airlines and the political environment is tense. This guide is provided for informational purposes and for a future of safe travel.

Internal Transportation: The train network is the most reliable and economical way to travel between major cities. Buses and minibuses ('marshrutkas') cover the rest of the routes. In cities, public transport (bus, trolleybus, tram and metro in Minsk) is very efficient and cheap.

Language: The two official languages ​​are Belarusian and Russian, but Russian predominates in everyday life and in cities. The use of English is very limited, even in Minsk. It is very useful to learn some basic phrases in Russian and the Cyrillic alphabet.

Tips: Tipping is neither a deep-rooted nor obligatory tradition, but in restaurants in Minsk and other tourist cities it has become more common. If the service has been good, leaving 5-10% is an appreciated gesture.