Featured

Anything I should know about landing in MSQ Minsk Airport?

Quite a number of things, as a matter of fact. Let’s examine a typical case from my travel agent’s past with a traveler landing in Minsk Airport (MSQ) and applying for a visa. You will either be driven to the airport building in a bus, or walk across the tarmac or through the corridor that is attached to the door of the aircraft...

MSQ Minsk Airport building, 2011

Any issues to be aware of? Yes, you must hand your passport (the insurance policy is no longer checked) to the border guard and the package must not contain any foreign currency (it can be treated as a bribe). Don't use the mobile telephone at the passports control. 

Customs control. There is probably one common issue here. In case of a luggage loss you will have to fill out 3 identical forms with your passport details and luggage identification number and the local address. Sometimes the assistant in charge speaks only primitive English supplemented with active gesticulation, but I believe this depends on the air carrier. The luggage will be delivered to your location in Belarus.

Currency exchange. You will probably need to buy some Belarusian rubles to get around and definitely to get to Minsk City. There is a bank on the 1st floor of the airport (sector 5-6) and there is another one on the third floor – sector 3-4.

Meeting your party. Everyone is meeting everyone after the customs control in the last airport's hall on floor 1, normally gate 5-6 (now that gates 3-4 are under reconstruction). There might be only a few people or the hall might be packed with the meeting folks - look for your name on the screen of a tab computer if you are booked on my Minsk tours or Minsk transfer. Don't get out of this arrival hall unless I am terribly late and offline.

Transportation. The Minsk Airport lies about 40 kilometers away from M9 Minsk Ring Road (48 km away from Victory Square, or about one hour to get to Minsk Central Railway station). So there are three ways to get to Minsk: a shuttle bus (there can be different vehicles ranging from minibuses to coaches), a taxi and a private Minsk airport transfer to your Minsk hotel or apartment (contact me on the issue if needed).

Taxi prices can often be negotiated – the drivers very often know the numerals in English and do not mind payments done in hard currency. Sometimes late at night there might be nothing at all once you’ve stepped out of the airport building and therefore it will make sense to book an English-speaking driver in advance to get to town.