Europe > 🇧🇾 Belarus
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Belarus can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Belarus; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Belarus?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Belarus?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in Belarus
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Minsk | MSQ |
Should You Rent a Car in Belarus? 🚗🌲
Belarus is a land of forests, fortresses, Stalinist boulevards, and peaceful countryside. The capital, Minsk, feels modern and organised, while the countryside offers castles, national parks, and traditional villages that feel frozen in time. Getting around depends on how much of the country you want to see—so should you rent a car in Belarus? Let’s explore your options.
🏙 When You Don’t Need a Car
You can explore Minsk and major cities without renting a vehicle. The country has excellent public transport and predictable connections between key urban centers.
✅ Car-Free Travel Works Best Here:
| Location | Why a Car Isn’t Necessary | Transport Options |
|---|---|---|
| Minsk | Metro and buses cover everything | Metro, tram, taxi |
| Brest | Walkable historic centre | Train from Minsk, taxis |
| Gomel & Grodno | Well-connected by train | Rail and local buses |
| Guided day tours | Transport included | Excursion buses or vans |
➡ If you focus on cities and organised tours, a car is optional.
🚗 When Renting a Car Improves the Trip
Renting a car lets you explore Belarusian countryside, castle routes, and national parks at your own pace, far beyond the reach of trains.
✅ Reasons to Rent a Car
| Advantage | What You Can Discover |
|---|---|
| Full flexibility | Travel on your own schedule |
| Access to nature | Visit forests, lakes, and wetlands |
| Cultural immersion | Stop in small villages and meet locals |
| Scenic drives | Explore castles and heritage sites |
🗺 Best Places to Visit with a Car
| Region / Route | Highlights | Distance from Minsk |
|---|---|---|
| Mir & Nesvizh Castles | UNESCO World Heritage sites | 1.5 hours |
| Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park | Primeval forest, bison | 4 hours |
| Braslav Lakes | Scenic lake district | 3.5 hours |
| Polotsk | Oldest city in Belarus | 3 hours |
➡ These places rarely have direct public transport—or if they do, departures are limited.
🚦 Driving in Belarus – What to Know
-
You drive on the right-hand side
-
Roads are wide and well-maintained
-
Traffic is light outside major cities
-
Fuel is inexpensive
-
GPS works well, and road signs appear in Cyrillic and English in many regions
🚕 Alternatives to Driving Yourself
| Transport | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trains | City connections | Modern, clean, punctual |
| Buses | Budget-friendly travel | Serve most towns |
| Private driver | Flexible travel | Common option for tourists |
| Guided tours | Historical and nature excursions | Includes transport |
🏁 Final Recommendation
| Traveller Type | Car Needed? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| City explorer | ❌ No | Minsk and Brest are easy to navigate |
| History and culture lover | ✅ Yes | Castles and villages lie outside train routes |
| Nature traveler | ✅ Yes | National parks require flexible access |
| Short-stay visitor | ❌ No | You can rely on tours and trains |
✨ Final Takeaway
So, should you rent a car in Belarus?
👉 If you want to see national parks, ancient castles, and traditional countryside, renting a car opens up the best of Belarus.
👉 However, if your itinerary focuses mainly on Minsk and major cities, you can travel comfortably without renting a car.