For meals, transport, tips - whats the safe amount to carry in Belarus ? Trying to plan a daily budget for a month long trip
On a four-day visit, I ended up spending $100 removed link Stayed in a central hotel near Independence Avenue $60/night, restaurant dinners with vodka tasting $25-$30, and taxis around the city $6-$10 each trip. Day trip to Mir Castle cost me $20-$25 including entry. Coffee and cake stops $6-$8 daily. For a short stay where you want everything convenient and some nightlife, $100/day is the safe number.
Over a month, I averaged $50 removed link Rented a Minsk apartment $550/month, grocery shopping $6-$10/day, occasional dinners out $12-$15. Metro pass for 30 rides was barely $8, and intercity trains were always under $20. Museums like the Great Patriotic War Museum $4-$6. For tipping, usually left loose coins. If you like to work from cafés, add $3-$5 a day for cappuccinos. Belarus is budget-friendly and $50 a day felt steady.
I budgeted $65-$80 removed link Private apartments on Airbnb were $30-$40/night, dinners in decent restaurants like Grand Cafe $12-$18, and taxis around Minsk $3-$6. Museums or Victory Park boat rentals were just a few dollars. Day train to Brest $15, and zoo or fortress entry $5-$8. A glass of local kvass or beer $2-$No need to over-tip, just round up. That budget gave me comfort with meals out daily and at least one cultural activity each day.
Belarus is surprisingly cheap if you stick local. I managed on $35-$45/day. Hostel beds in Minsk near Nemiga were $10-$15, canteen-style stolovaya meals like draniki or pelmeni $3-$6, and metro rides $0.30. Coffee at a café like Coffeevarium $2-$Trains to Brest or Grodno are $8-$15. Tips aren’t common; round up at nicer places. If you’re mostly eating in canteens, walking or taking metro, and staying in dorms, $40 daily is plenty.