From time zones and currency to electricity and telephone codes, here’s your essential information about travel and tourism in Belarus
Belarus is in the Eastern European Standard (EET) time zone. EET is 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+3).
The Belarus currency is the ruble (rubel).
Find out more about Belarus currency and how to change it
Electricity in Belarus is 220v, 50Hz alternating current.
All plugs are symmetrical two pin, as in continental Western Europe. If you are travelling from the UK or the USA it is advisable to take at least two adaptor sets with you.
The telephone dialling code for Belarus is +375
International telephone dialling codes for major Belarus cities are:
Brest: +375 162
Minsk: +375 17
Gomel: +375 232
Grodno: +375 152
Mogilev: +375 222
Vitebsk: +375 212
To make international calls (including the CIS) from Belarus, you need to dial:
8-10-country code-number
Once you’re in Belarus, if you want to make a call to another Belarusian city you need to dial:
8-city code-number
No specific vaccinations are required to travel to Belarus, but it is sensible to be up to date with the following before you travel:
Tipping is entirely discretionary in Belarus and service charges are not automatically added to the bill.
If you want to tip in a restaurant or café, give about 5% of the total amount. Taxi drivers and hotel staff don’t generally expect tips, although they are always gratefully received!