Wondering if I need cash for taxis in Belarus or if I can just pay with card or app like in other countries?
Belarus isn’t the most card-friendly place for taxis. While apps like Yandex are making it easier to pay with cards in Minsk, many traditional drivers either don’t have machines or don’t want to use them. I carried rubles for all my rides outside of the app, and it made things smoother. If you want to avoid cash, stick to Yandex in Minsk. But realistically, cash is what you’ll need in most of the country for taxis.
My experience in Belarus was mixed. In Minsk, I used Yandex.Taxi and paid by card without any issues. But when I tried to grab a taxi from the street, the driver immediately said cash only. Outside of the capital, it’s even more cash-dependent. I wouldn’t rely on card terminals in cars, because they often claim the machine doesn’t work. It’s smarter to have rubles on hand. The app helps in the city, but cash dominates everywhere else.
From my time in Belarus, I’d say cash is still the safest bet for taxis. Drivers in Minsk sometimes had card machines, but I had two occasions where they said the terminal wasn’t working, so I ended up paying with rubles. Yandex.Taxi was the one reliable card option, but you can’t depend on it outside major cities. If you’re traveling around Belarus, definitely plan to withdraw enough cash. Card use is growing, but taxis are still mostly cash.
In Belarus, cash is still widely used for taxis, but card payments are possible in some cities like Minsk. Official taxi companies may have card terminals, but they don’t always work reliably. I had better luck with apps like Yandex.Taxi, where you can link your card and pay directly. Smaller towns and independent drivers are cash-only. My advice is to carry Belarusian rubles for flexibility, but if you’re in Minsk, using the app is the easiest way to go cashless.