When is the Cheapest Time to Fly to Minsk?
When looking for cheap return flights to Minsk, it’s best to visit during the city’s low tourist season, which is generally from May to September as that’s when Belarus is at its warmest. Minsk flights are at the very least expensive during the winter, but if you prefer a good balance between ticket prices and warmer weather, spring or autumn are definitely the best times to visit.
When is the Best Time to Book your Flight to Minsk?
When booking your return Minsk flights, we generally recommend buying tickets two or three months in advance to secure the best deals. If you’re flexible on your travel dates, you can often find a cheap last-minute flight. A fun time to visit is during Maslenitsa, or Pancake Week, an ancient Slavic festival that takes place exactly eight weeks before Easter every year.
Flying to Minsk National Airport (MSQ)
Minsk National Airport (MSQ) is the main international airport serving the capital city of Belarus. Handling over three million passengers a year, it is a major transport hub.
When flying to Minsk from the UK, available routes depart from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Bristol. Currently, no direct flights to Minsk are available, so all routes include at least one stop en route. When flying from London, you can choose to travel with Ukraine International Airlines, Aeroflot, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa or Belavia, depending on the time of year you are travelling, and you may stop in Vienna, Kiev, Frankfurt, or another European City. Flights from the rest of the UK are commonly operated by Lufthansa, KLM and Air France.
On Arrival and Getting Around the Airport
Clean and modern, Minsk National Airport (MSQ) is comprised of a single terminal full of all of the required amenities needed whilst travelling. Within the terminal you’ll find a variety of restaurants, bars, cafes and duty-free shops, as well as sleep pods, cash services, currency exchange offices, religious facilities a left luggage area, and even a gym with showers. There are also mother-and-child rooms, a hair salon, a clothing repair shop, guest rooms and a hotel located within the airport, and complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminals.
Getting to the City from Minsk National Airport (MSQ)
MSQ is located 42 kilometres away from central Minsk so it is important to know how you are going to get to and from the airport during your trip. Within the terminal there are several car-rental companies to choose from, but if you prefer to take public transport, there is also a taxi rank outside and several bus routes that will get you to the city centre within an hour. Lastly, you can catch a bus outside gates 5-6 that will shuttle you to the airport train station, where you can catch one of five daily departures to the city.
Why Visit Minsk?
The cultural and historical centre of Belarus, Minsk has got plenty to explore if you’re a fan of the arts, architecture and learning about local history. The streets are packed full of chic cafes, fascinating museums, impressive galleries and beautiful Russian Orthodox churches, all housed in architecturally diverse structures from past eras. Yet, these beautiful facades hide a tragic past- although it may not be apparent today, during World War II nearly 90 percent of buildings in Minsk were destroyed during Operation Barbarossa, one of the many invasions led by the Axis powers. In the aftermath, many of the structures were rebuilt by Stalin and bear resemblance to the Soviet architectural style found in many Russian cities today.
A city built from the ground up, Minsk and its people are proud of their history and the strength that it has given them. If you’re interested in learning more about the city’s past, be sure to visit the Museum of the Great Patriotic War as it offers a truly fascinating account of what life was like in Minsk during the Nazi occupation.
Don't Forget Before you Fly
As a British national you are able to stay in Belarus for up to five days visa free (including your arrival day). If you wish to stay for longer, you’ll need to apply for a visa via the Belarus Embassy in London or online. Either way, you will need a passport valid for at least three months from your date of entry, along with proof of medical insurance and funds to support you doing your stay.
The official currency is the Belarusian rouble, easily obtained before or upon arrival, and US dollars are also widely accepted. There are plenty of ATMs and major credit cards are accepted in most establishments.
