Belarus

Brief History

The development of passenger railroad transportation in Belarus began in the 19th century during the time of the Russian Empire. The first railway line was constructed in 1871, connecting Brest (then known as Brest-Litovsk) to Moscow. This marked the beginning of a transformative era for Belarus as rail networks expanded, linking major cities and industrial centers across the region.

During the Soviet era, Belarus became a part of the Soviet Union, and its railway system underwent significant expansion and modernization. The railway played a crucial role in the transportation of goods and people within the vast territory of the USSR.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Belarus gained independence, and its railway system came under the control of the newly formed Belarusian government. Over the years, the Belarusian Railway (Belaruskaya Chygunka) has continued to operate and maintain the nation's rail infrastructure.

Today, passenger rail transport remains an essential mode of travel in Belarus, serving as a reliable means of transportation for both domestic and international travelers. The Belarusian Railway continues to make efforts to modernize and improve its services, ensuring the efficiency and safety of its passenger trains.Parliamentary timetable.

General Information and Statistics

"Belarusian Railway" (Belarusian Chugunka) is the national railway company of Belarus and carries out passenger and freight transportation throughout the country.. The volume of passenger transportation in 2022 amounted to 62 million people, or 101.3% compared to the level of 2021

Total operational length of tracks - 5,480 km, the length of electrified lines is 1,228 km as of the beginning of 2019 (22.4% of the total length of the road). Total number of stations, including freight stations – 998.

What connections to other countries there are

Belarusian railroad is connected with railroads of neighboring countries: Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Ukraine.

Are trains fast in Belarus in general? How much time to cross the country?

The set speed of passenger trains is 140 km/h. This speed depends today almost 100% on the state of the infrastructure. 
The journey from Orsha to Brest takes 5:57 hours and from Polotsk to Luninets 8:58 hours.

What railway companies are available?

The main and the only operator of railway transportation in Belarus is Belarusian Railways

What train types are available in Belarus

The following types of trains were available in Belarus:

Passenger trains: These are regular trains that provide passenger transportation between different cities and towns within the country. They provide various levels of comfort including plackart, compartment and sleeping carriages.

International trains: These trains connect Belarus with neighboring countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland and others. They provide international passenger transportation and often offer different classes of service.

High-speed trains: Belarus does not have dedicated high-speed trains like some other countries. However, there are some trains that operate at medium speed and provide faster routes between some cities.

Electric trains: Electric trains are a more local and low-cost form of rail transportation. They provide passenger transportation over shorter distances between nearby population centers.

Are there high-speed-trains available?

Belarus did not have dedicated high-speed trains like those found in some other countries, such as the Shinkansen in Japan or the TGV in France. The trains in Belarus generally operated at conventional speeds, which are lower than the speeds of high-speed trains.

Most important train stations / hubs

The main railway hubs in Belarus are Minsk, Brest, Grodno, Mogilev, Vitebsk, Gomel.

Websites to buy train tickets in Belarus?

https://pass.rw.by/ru/, https://biletix.by/

Mobile apps to buy train tickets in Belarus?

Belarusian Railroad has its own application «БЧ. Мой поезд»

Possible to buy a ticket at a Belarus railway station?

At most stations in Belarus it is possible to buy tickets both at a service point and at a self-service terminal

Can I buy my ticket by phone?

You cannot buy a ticket by calling the contact center. They can only provide reference information, ticket prices, etc.

Return the ticket

Train cancellation, delayed departure, lack of a seat on a purchased ticket, as well as illness or accident of a passenger may be grounds for refunding unused travel documents (tickets) on trains with numbered seats in Belarus. In such cases, the passenger can get back the full or partial fare for the unused part of the route, subject to certain conditions and terms of refund. Fees for booking seats and issuing travel documents are usually not refundable.

Train ticket prices

Ticket prices vary depending on the type of train and distance. The earlier you buy a ticket, the cheaper it will be.
You can buy tickets from Minsk to Brest for only 6.15 €

Cheapest train to the closest nearby country?

As of August 2023, there are only direct connections to Russia. A ticket from Minsk to Smolensk costs 25.4 €

Where to find timetables.

Find train schedules on https://pass.rw.by/ru/tablo/

Buying tickets in advance or right before the train

If you are planning your trip - it is better to buy tickets in advance, the closer the date of travel, the more expensive they become

Types of tickets.

There is no special variety in the choice of railway tickets in Belarus. You can buy a one-way, round-trip or composite ticket.

Interrail/Eurail Passes in Belarus

Interrail/Eurail Passes are not available in Belarus

Saver price.

There are no special or discounted tickets available
A discount of 10% of the total fare is applied for side seats in plackart cars (trailing and non-trailing) of international trains running between the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation.

Is it cheaper to buy round-trip?

Buy single tickets, not return tickets. This will give you more flexibility if you need to change your travel plans. It is not cheaper to buy return tickets.

Flexible tickets.

Flexible tickets are not available.

Rules of boarding

You can board the train with one passport: Trains within Belarus - show any ID (and birth certificate for children) to the conductor. You do not need a boarding coupon when boarding. International trains - you need to show the conductor only the ID card, the data of which are specified in the order.

Discounts for group travel

Information on group transportation on the Belarusian Railway:

    • Group transportation is carried out for groups of 10 people or more traveling in one train on one route.
    • Applications are accepted from legal entities (with stamp and signature of the head) and individuals.
    • Discounts are provided depending on the number of people and distance of transportation.
    • Reservations are made 45 days before the departure of the train.
    • Group travel may be formalized on a single form for the manager or on separate travel documents for each passenger.
    • In trains of regional and interregional lines no discounts are provided, and in trains to CIS and Baltic countries - discounts are provided in accordance with the Interstate Passenger Tariff.

Age groups and discounts

In trains of regional business class lines, interregional lines, cars or trains of international lines of the Belarusian Railways formation
    • Children under 5 years old travel free of charge, provided that they do not occupy a separate seat.
    • From 5 to 10 years old receive a discount on the "Children's" fare
Every year during the seasonal agricultural work period, from May 1 to October 31, citizens who have reached the generally established retirement age are entitled to a 50% discount on the cost of travel on regional economy class trains.

Age limitations for minors

Children from the age of 10 may travel unaccompanied on Belarusian Railways trains

Handicapped passengers

Services provided in trains:
    • the possibility of unimpeded boarding/disembarkation into (from) the car, including without the use of special technical means;
    • accommodation in the passenger car, including on specialized seats for transportation of physically impaired persons;
    • assistance in moving and unimpeded (unscheduled) access to sanitary facilities in carriages;
    • moving and placing hand luggage in the places designated for these purposes;
    • duplication of voice and visual information, including information about the route, stops on the way, services provided.
    • Application for inclusion of a carriage for wheelchair users in the train composition
    • Applications are accepted at least 5 days before the departure of the train. Requests are considered individually, based on technical capabilities.

Attention!
Personal care for a physically impaired person (medical procedures, assistance in taking food and medicines, in performing sanitary and hygienic procedures) is provided by passengers themselves or with the help of persons accompanying them.

In business class trains of city, regional and interregional lines
To facilitate boarding and disembarkation of passengers on high platforms in trains of urban, regional and interregional business-class lines, special retractable steps and ramps are provided.

A spacious multifunctional area for passengers in wheelchairs is provided in one of the cars of each train.

Seat reservations in Belarus trains

When buying a ticket for international and long-distance trains, there is an option to choose a ticket when buying a ticket. On most short trains you simply board the train and take a seat, depending on the type of carriage.

Comfort classes on the trains

Comfort class 1 and 2 are available on interregional trains.
1st class (business class):
    • Spacious seating arrangement for passengers.
    • High comfort seats with adjustable backrest and armrests.
    • Individual lighting and reclining/sill table.
    • Cell phone charging (power socket between seats).
    • Sun blinds on the windows.
    • Checkroom and luggage racks for large luggage.
2nd class (economy class):
    • Individual upholstered seats with adjustable backrest.
    • Folding/small window table.
    • Possibility of charging cell phones (socket between the seats).
    • Luggage racks for large luggage. 
Plackart cars, coupe and SV cars are also available

Food and drink in Belarus trains / train restaurant

Meals on trains
When a passenger travels in international traffic in trains of "firm" category in separate compartment and SV cars, in addition to a set of bed linen, a set (ration) of food is provided, the cost of which is also included in the price of the travel document.

The cost of a set (ration) of food in the cars of increased comfort of international firm trains of the formation of the Belarusian Railroad is:

for compartment cars - 4.60 euros;
for sleeping cars - 6.4 euros.
The order made by the passenger in the dining car can be delivered to the compartment.

Meal sets (rations) are provided in separate cars of the following company trains:
"Belarus" Minsk-Moscow.

Night trains in Belarus?

At the moment there are no night trains in Belarus

Important train routes in Belarus

...

International train routes

There are direct international trains from Germany to the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Denmark and Sweden.

Tourist / scenic routes in Belarus

Scenic routes and destinations include the route from Munich to Füssen, where you can take a bus to Neuschwanstein Castle.
And the River Rhine Valley from Cologne via Koblenz to Mainz and Mannheim.

Luggage information

Each passenger has the right to carry hand luggage free of charge per travel document (ticket), in addition to small items (briefcase, handbag, umbrella, etc.).
The weight of hand luggage must not exceed 36 kilograms.
The size of hand baggage (the sum of three measurements) must not exceed 200 centimeters.
Passengers may carry up to 50 kg of hand luggage for an additional fee. Items larger than 200 cm will be charged as for 50 kg of hand luggage.

Bicycle on the train

In trains with unnumbered seats the passenger has the right to carry a bicycle in addition to the established norm for a fee in accordance with the legislation.

In trains with numbered seats of the Belarusian Railways, a passenger may additionally carry a bicycle in a car with an open passenger compartment of a parlor car or a separate compartment of a compartment car with the registration of three additional full travel documents (tickets). These travel documents (tickets) are labeled "bicycle".

Ski or snowboard on the train

On account of the free carry-on baggage allowance, it is allowed to carry one bicycle dismantled and packed with the sum of three dimensions not exceeding 200 cm, skis with poles, snowboards, plants, seedlings and other planting materials with tied crowns and packed rhizomes not exceeding 180 cm in height.

Luggage lockers on the stations in Belarus

Luggage storage lockers are provided at major railway stations in Belarus

Lost and Found Items

For things forgotten in the trains of the Belarusian Railroad, on the platforms and stations, you should immediately contact the station duty officer - he will know the situation for sure: they all go to him.

To find out whether the luggage has been found, you can personally address the duty officer or call 8 (017) 225-19-45.

Pets on the trains

A passenger may carry no more than two small pets or birds in all carriages on account of the hand baggage allowance in the seats intended for hand baggage, provided that veterinary documents are available. 

A guide dog accompanying a visually impaired person shall be carried free of charge in all types and classes of carriages without transportation documents. The guide dog must have a collar and muzzle and be at the feet of the passenger it accompanies.

Small pets and birds (except guide dogs) are carried in crates, baskets, cages, containers (the size of the sum of three measurements is not more than 200 centimeters), which must be placed on the places intended for hand luggage, and which must be arranged in such a way as to exclude the possibility of animals causing harm to passengers and the carrier.