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{{infobox Infobox Country

|map = <map lat='53.8' lng='28' zoom='6' view='0' float='right' width='420' height='380'/>|language = Belarusian, Russian, Belarusian (not generally spoken)

|map = <map lat='54' lng='28' zoom='5' view='0' country='Belarus' />|pop = 9,800,000 504 700 (2017) |BW = BY|currency = Belarusian Ruble (BRBBYN)|hitch = from {{average}} (<rating country='by'average'') to {{Very Good}} (''very good'')/>

'''Belarus''' is an ex-USSR country in [[Eastern Europe]]. The European route [[E30]] passes through it, entering at [[Brest (Belarus)|Brest]] on the border with [[Poland|Polish]] border, and leaving at the [[Russia|Russian]] n border between Orsha [[Orša]] and [[Smolensk]]. It is a fantastic and easy-going place for hitchhiking and the police or the political system generally will not bother you at all, so once you have your visa (if needed) you can just relax and go for it.You will enjoy!

72% Also, there are two versions of the population live in towns and cities, and virtually all Belarusian flag – the official one is the population speaks Russian red-green flag (also jokingly known as their first language. In rural areas “dusk over a mix of Russian and Belarusian may be spokenswamp”), but it is '''not''' a good idea to try to speak Belarusian (in whereas the capital of the country you will especially be frowned upon one used by the police, as Belarusian opposition is the language of governmental opposition)a three-striped white-red-white flag. It For your own safety, it is therefore better not advised to make destinations signs demonstrate the latter one in Russian when requiredpublic.

In big cities, especially MinskFreedom of speech is very restricted in Belarus, you can expect youth try not to speak at least some level of Englishask too many questions about mr. If you are hitch-hiking to Russia along [[E30]]/[[M1 (Belarus)|M1]]Lukashenko, expect some truck drivers to speak Polish as well as Russianpeople might get in trouble when saying something bad about their politics.

Also== Language ==In big cities, especially Minsk, you can expect young people to speak at least a basic level of English. If you are hitch-hiking to Russia along [[E30]]/[[M1 (Belarus)|M1]], expect some truck drivers to speak Polish as well as Russian. Language barrier can cause some troubles since many drivers speak almost exclusively only Russian or ''Trasianka'', the mishmash of Belarusian and Russian, therefore learn some basic phrases in Russian before you go there . If you do understand some Russian but you are not familiar with Belarusian culture don't get scared or disappointed hearing many swearing words when drivers talk to you – these words aren't directed to you but are rather a simple hearty expression. == Hitchhiking == Hitchhiking in Belarus is very easy and rarely your waiting time will exceed 15 minutes, at least on the main road M1 from [[Brest]] via [[Minsk]] to [[Moscow]]. As it is very common in Belarus, often drivers may pick you up without being curious about you or what you are doing, sometimes no communication at all. Belarusian people can seem gloomy at first sight, but in the end they are two versions mostly very nice and helpful and drop you on a good spot. In rare cases a small number of older drivers might ask for some money when giving you a ride – to avoid that, tell the driver about your intention to travel for free before you sit into the car (''"Ja puteshestvuju avtostopom, bez deneg"'' [''"u"'' is pronounced as ''"oo"'' in English] – ''"I travel by hitch-hiking, not paying any money"''). Usually, just saying 'no money' works just fine too. It might be more difficult if you are more than 2 persons travelling together – in such case it would be smart to split up for some time.  When hitchhiking in Belarus, it is very likely to find some other people standing next to the road, waiting for a car to pick them up. Although most people do not speak English well, it is nice to try to make some contact. Most of them might look angry, but it's just on the outside and once you start talking to them they're just very friendly and warm people. Some Belarusians will even wait for an hour with you in a snowstorm, waiting for another car to stop :)  Russian and Baltic truck drivers are reluctant to stop for hitchhikers in Belarus while Belarusian flag and Polish trucks are happy to have a company of some traveller(s). Hitchhiking at night is difficult but if you make yourself very visible you can get a ride even at two o'clock at night (some cars might stop just because a driver thinks you are police – light reflectors might give such an impression). The average waiting time is about 20 minutes. It’s better to travel using main roads as road traffic on local roads is pretty poor. In Belarus there are no roads with limitations for hitchhikers, you can start stopping a car wherever you like, the only exception is bridges. Roadsides are usually wide enough to stop even a truck. Main roads are in a good condition while roads in rural areas might unpleasantly surprise you.  [[File:IMG 20170717 154059.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Light- returning reflectinve band. This little thing can save you about 10€ when you meet the policy at the road]] '''Note''': In Belarus you have to wear a flicker (light-returning element or reflective band) when you are on the road after sunset. The [[police]] have a plan to get some amount of violators each month, so the possibility of penalty (about € 10) is quite high. It's better to buy a flicker (it costs from € 1), and it's not a problem – now they are sold in any shop in Belarus. And it's [[hitchhiker's safety|a good idea]] to use them anyway when [[hitchhiking at night]].  == Maps ==[[File:Ratmir_autostop_Minsk.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Ratmir]] hitching from [[Minsk]] to [[Polack]]]]There are only about fifteen main roads in Belarus, so if you are not staying in Belarus for long you can hitch through having just a print from any Internet source (for example, this [http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/google_map_belarus.htm]). More detailed maps can be bought in any kiosk of "Bielsajuzdruk" ("Белсаюздрук"), where newspapers are sold. == Eating ==In Belarus the official one road service is redvery poor, and restaurants in normal amount (for every 30-green flag 40 km) exists only on main roads, like [[E30]]/[[M1 (Belarus)|M1]]. But on the way there are usually a lot of small towns and villages, where in the shops you can find anything what you need (and 2-3 times cheaper than in a cafe). And of course, if you want to find some ready dishes, you can go to a students canteen or something like that. == Visa ==Foreign citizens of 74 countries, who '''both enter''' and '''leave''' via Minsk International Airport, can enter Belarus for up to 30 days '''without visa''' (since July 27, 2018). This does not extend to persons coming to Belarus by plane from Russia, as well as to those who would fly out via Russia (such flights are considered as internal ones and do not have border control). Nevertheless you have to fulfil several requirements to be able to enter the country without visa. For more information check web-pages of the Belorussian MFA and State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus: [http://mfa.gov.by/en/visa/visafreetravel/e0ced19bb1f9bf2c.html ''Information on visa-free travel via the checkpoint "Minsk National Airport"'']<br>[https://gpk.gov.by/en/border-crossing/ ''Border crossing rules for foreign citizens''] [[File:Belarus_regional_visa-free_provisions_in_Grodno_and_Brest_regions.png|220px|thumb|right|Part of Belarus covered by Brest and Hrodna regional visa-free provision]]Additionally, you can also jokingly known enter some parts of the country overland without a visa for up to 15 days. In order to visit Brest and Hrodna regions for 15 days without visas you need to get visa-free travel documents at least 72 hours before your journey to Belarus. For more details check the following link: [https://bezviz.by/en/ ''Belarus visa free'']. For an old-fashioned visa, follow this procedure:Try to find someone on Couchsurfing/BeWelcome/TrustRoots who'd be willing to "invite" you to Belarus (thus you could apply for a "private visit" visa), as this would save you money in the visa application process - the only way to get a regular tourist visa is through an overpriced agency, which would be eager to book hotels on your behalf. Some embassies may be satisfied with a confirmed hotel booking, without an agency letter, but that would be up to their discretion. However, most Belarusian embassies will issue a "dusk over private visit" visa without a letter of invitation or other supporting documents where only the personal info of the inviting person would suffice if the visa duration is less than 30 days. In some cases, they may however ask for a copy of the inviting person's passport but again that would be up to the discretion of the embassy personnel. ''[[user:uncle_sam01|uncle_sam01]] applied for a private visit visa at the embassy in Warsaw in July 2016 and was asked to provide a copy of the inviting person's passport. Other than that the process was a mere formality.'' == Registration == '''UPDATE (2019): As from 2nd January 2019, foreigners can register online and for free. See [http://belarusfeed.com/belarus-allows-online-registration-tourists/] for more details on how to register online. Important caveat: online registration is NOT possible if you entered Belarus from Russia. In this case, you must register at a Department for Citizenship and Migration.''' The old-fashioned way: When travelling to Belarus, you have to be registered with the authorities as a swamp"temporary resident" if you stay in the country for longer than 5 business days ('''including Saturday!'''). Registration consists of a Soviet-style blue stamp on the back of your "Migration Card" (you'll get this at the border).How this is done will vary depending on where you stay: '''1. Hotels only'''Easiest option - they'll do it for you automatically and you won't have to worry about it. In some rare instances, whereas they may charge extra for registration. '''2. Couchsurfing/squatting/camping'''You'll have to visit the local "Migration Department" within 5 business days('''including Saturday!''') '''with your as well as your host's passport'''(they don't have to be there in person, but if you don't speak Russian, it's best that they are). You'll fill out a form and pay a fee(around EUR 10). It might sound scary, but it's relatively straightforward. You should register with your first host upon arrival to Belarus for the entire duration of your stay(until your visa expires) - you won't have to worry about/pay for registration again. Legally, you should re-register if you stay somewhere else for more than 5 days, but no one used will bother you about this... '''3. Couchsurfing+hotels'''This is the most complicated option. Hotels will only register you for the duration of your booking. Once you check out, you're no longer considered registered. Therefore, if you then stay with someone through couchsurfing, you'd need to register immediately, in person, as in option 2. If you register with a host first (regardless for how long) and '''then''' stay at a hotel, your previous registration becomes void and the hotel registration applies, so the moment you check out you need to re-register somewhere else (either stay in another hotel or register with a host - again the 5 day period won't apply). You could ask the hotel to not stamp your card, so that your previous registration is still valid during and after your hotel stay but this is technically illegal and up to the receptionist's discretion. ([[user:uncle_sam01|uncle_sam01]] got his hotel stamp on a sticky note with a "you-naughty-boy" gesture from the receptionist...)  '''Lack of and/or incorrect registration will lead to fines for you and your host, sometimes even deportation!!! (if your host had a previous guest who also screwed up their registration, they'd be considered a repeat offender and would face a higher fine)''' Basically, plan your first night in Belarus with a CS host and register with them until your visa expires. If you stay at a hotel afterwards, make sure they don't stamp your migration card any more. Registration sounds way scarier than it is and shouldn't deter you from visiting Belarus. == Border crossing == Belarus is neither in the [[European Union]] nor in the [[Schengen Agreement|Schengen]] Common Travel Area, and most non-[[Commonwealth of Independent States|CIS]] nationals would require a visa to enter the country. However, since July 2018 there is a possibility to enter the country without visa for citizens of about 80 foreign countries. See "Visa" section.  You can check [http://gpk.gov.by/en/maps/ochered.php border crossing queues] and find more [http://gpk.gov.by /en/maps/ detailed info about border crossings] at the opposition web-site of State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus. === With [[Latvia]] (from east to west)===* [https://www.google.com/maps/place/55%C2%B043'06.5%22N+26%C2%B052'27.4%22E/@55.718463,26.8721013,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d55.7184603!4d26.8742901?hl=en Urbany (BLR) / Silene (LV)] (bel. Урбаны, rus. Урбаны) – located on [[P3]] some 20 km to the north-west from [[Braslaŭ|Braslaŭ]] on the way to [[Daugavpils|Daugavpils]].* [https://www.google.com/maps/place/55%C2%B049'14.4%22N+27%C2%B037'32.0%22E/@55.820655,27.6233543,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d55.8206521!4d27.6255431?hl=en Ryhoraŭščyna (BLR) / Paternieki (LV)] (bel. Рыгораўшчына, rus. Григоровщина) – located on [[P20]] some 25 km to the west from [[Vierchniadzvinsk|Vierchniadzvinsk]] or 95 km to the north-west from [[Polack|Polack]] on the way to [[Krāslava|Krāslava]] - [[Daugavpils|Daugavpils]]. === With [[Lithuania]] ===You can walk across this border and it's probably best to do so as the lines of trucks and cars are really long. The border police is actually pretty nice! After you crossed the border to [[Lithuania]] it's only 33 kms to the capital [[Vilnius]]. After the border crossing the main road goes straight to [[Vilnius]] but, as the border takes some time for cars, and even more for trucks, you'll probably won't see that much moving traffic while hitchhiking. Your bag might be searched at this bordercrossing. '''UPDATE (2015)'''It is not allowded to cross the border on foot anymore!!! === With [[Poland]] (from south to north)===* [http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=13433892993726185330,51.771666,23.569832%3B8225709824099370420,51.760479,23.611216&saddr=63+%4051.771666,+23.569832&daddr=Unknown+road+%4051.760479,+23.611216&sll=51.766075,23.590525&sspn=0.017263,0.04549&ie=UTF8&ll=52.722986,25.378418&spn=4.325896,11.645508&z=7 Damačava (BLR) / Sławatycze (PL)] (bel. Дамачава, rus. Домачево) – vehicular crossing located some 40 kilometres south of Brest.* [http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=13034915224636727578,52.069786,23.642091&saddr=2%2FE30+%4052.069786,+23.642091&daddr=52.073732,23.673027&mra=mi&mrsp=1,0&sz=16&sll=52.074073,23.666546&sspn=0.008573,0.022745&ie=UTF8&ll=52.070116,23.646183&spn=0.068588,0.181961&z=13 Brest (Varšaŭski most (Warsaw Bridge)) (BLR) / Terespol (PL)] (bel. Брэст (Варшаўскі мост), rus. Брест (Варшавский мост)) – the biggest crossing point located on [[E30]] near [[Brest (Belarus)|Brest]]. Crossing is possible only in a vehicle. Be prepared for a long waiting time. If there is a lot of traffic, even very long waiting time. Even when there are just two or threecars in front of you, you can find yourself waiting for several hours.* [http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=18391996812509845743,52.106891,23.558036%3B5287091177967822326,52.110654,23.561225&saddr=68+%4052.106891,+23.558036&daddr=52.116665,23.564816&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=16&sll=52.114886,23.566296&sspn=0.008565,0.022745&ie=UTF8&ll=52.516221,24.483032&spn=2.172906,5.822754&z=8 Kazlovičy (BLR) / Kukuryki (PL)] (bel. Казловічы, rus. Козловичи) – for trucks only. Located at the north-western edge of Brest.*[https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/52%C2%B028'11.0%22N+23%C2%B021'30.1%22E/@52.4697112,23.3561643,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d52.4697082!4d23.3583531?hl=en Piasčatka (BLR) / Połowce (PL)] (bel. Пясчатка, rus. Песчатка) – located on [[P16]] 60 km to the north-striped whitewest from [[Brest (Belarus)|Brest]] on the way to [[Bielsk Podlaski|Bielsk Podlaski]] -red[[Białystok|Białystok]].* [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Przejście+graniczne+Białowieża+-+Piererow/@52.6693897,23.8421252,13.25z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x47205d08a089cf39:0x7d8b7f4d91f4e07!8m2!3d52.6686046!4d23.8582331?hl=en Pieraroŭ (BLR) / Białowieża (PL)] (bel. Перароў, rus. Переров) – small, pedestrian-white flagonly crossing in the middle of the beautiful Bialowieza Forest. For EU citizens can visit (for 72 hours) the Belorussian part of the forest, as well as the village of Kamianiuki '''without a visa''' (check [http://www.belarus.by/en/travel/belarus-life/belovezhskaya-pushcha requirements for visa-free entrance]). Since the crossing is for pedestrians/cyclists only, you are likely to be the only person there. There aren't many parked cars, but just enough to get you picked up to the nearest village on the Polish side (it's not very far, so you can walk, as well). On the Belarusian side, you can either try hitch-hiking towards the nearest village of Biely Liasok (bel. Белы Лясок) (there'll be plenty of tourists and only a single road for cars) or you can walk through the forest to Kamianiuki (about 16 km, it's the official "entry" village to the forest on the Belarusian side). From Kamianiuki, you can either hitch-hike, or if you don't have time, take maršrutka (mini-bus) to the bus terminal in Brest. If you're lucky, you can also hitch a ride with one of the park's employees.*[https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/53%C2%B007'22.0%22N+23%C2%B053'54.6%22E/@53.1227709,23.8964963,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d53.1227684!4d23.8985041?hl=en Bierastavica (BLR) / Bobrowniki (PL)] (bel. Бераставіца, rus. Берестовица) – located on [[P99]] 80 km to the south from [[Hrodna|Hrodna]] or 40 km to the west from [[Vaŭkavysk|Vaŭkavysk]] on the way to [[Białystok|Białystok]].*[https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/53%C2%B031'29.9%22N+23%C2%B040'06.3%22E/@53.5249652,23.6662313,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m15!1m8!3m7!1s0x0:0x0!2zNTPCsDA3JzIyLjAiTiAyM8KwNTMnNTQuNiJF!3b1!7e2!8m2!3d53.1227684!4d23.8985041!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d53.5249617!4d23.66842?hl=en Bruzhi (BLR) / Kuźnica (PL)] (bel. Брузгі, rus. Брузги) – 20 km to the south-west from [[Hrodna|Hrodna]] on the way to [[Białystok|Białystok]]. If you want to avoid long waiting times at the Brest (Varšaŭski most (Warsaw Bridge)) / Terespol border crossing you can take a train from Terespol to Brest. It goes 3 times a day and costs 17 złoty. You can pay in złotys only but there is an exchange office at the [https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/3456263616 train station]. (August 2018) === With [[Russia]] === Please note that while there is no border control between Belarus and Russia Belarusian transit visa is still required for foreigners when transiting through the country from Russia to Poland, or vice versa. You can't get a visa at the border. If you go from Belarus to Russia make sure that you always keep your own safetyBelarusian migration card. The border is open, it there is most likely no control and this means, that you will not advised recieve a Immigration card or an Entry stamp from Russia. Due to demonstrate the Customs union between the countries, your card from Belarus also counts in Russia and in case you lose it you will find yourself in unfriendly situation. '''UPDATE''' (2017): Third country nationals (ie. not [[CIS]]) are no longer allowed to cross the Belarus/Russia border even with a valid visa for both countries, due to reciprocity measures undertaken by the Russian Government because of EU sanctions. Non-CIS travelers are redirected to cross from Lithuania or Ukraine. There are checks at all major transit points. "Sneaking in public" at a random village is not advised. === With [[Ukraine]]: === *[[Skytok-Novaja Huta border crossing]], near [[Gomel]]

<map lat='53.8' lng='28' zoom='6' view='0' float='right' width='420' height='380'/>* [[Brest (Belarus)|Brest]] (bel: Брэст, rus: Брест, belpl: БрэстBrześć, pollt: BrześćBrestas)* [[GomelHomiel]] (bel: Гомель, rus: Гомель, belpl: Homel, lt: ГомельGomelis)* [[GrodnoHrodna]] (bel: Гродна, rus: Гродно, belpl: Grodno, lt: ГроднаGardinas)* '''[[MinskMahilioŭ]]''' (bel: Магiлёў, rus: МинскМогилёв, pl: Mohylew, bellt: МiнскMogiliavas)* '''[[MogilevMinsk]] ''' (bel: Мiнск, rus: МогилёвМинск, pl: Mińsk, bellt: МагiлёўMinskas)* [[VitebskViciebsk]] (bel: Вiцебск, rus: Витебск, belpl: Witebsk, lt: ВiцебскVitebskas) == Personal Experiences == Pls add info == Nomadwiki & Trashwiki == {{nomadwiki}}

{{stubIsIn|Eastern Europe}}

[[digi{{Template:world/Europe/Cities Belarus]]{{wikilinks}}

[[Category:Eastern Europe]]