Overview
Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia and Ukraine, with Minsk as its capital and main point of entry. Please note that at the time of writing the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to Belarus. This affects travel insurance and entry, so anyone considering a trip should read the current FCDO advice in full and speak to our team first. The practical guidance below is here to help you plan sensibly if and when circumstances change.
Best time to fly to Belarus
Belarus has a continental climate: cold, snowy winters with temperatures often well below freezing from December to February, and mild to warm summers of around 20–25°C in July and August. Late spring to early autumn (May to September) is the most comfortable window for sightseeing, with long daylight hours and green countryside. Winter has its own appeal in Minsk but calls for proper cold-weather clothing. The price charts on this page show how fares move through the year.
Main gateway cities & airports
Minsk National Airport (MSQ), about 40km east of the city, handles almost all international traffic. Regional airports at Brest, Gomel, Grodno, Vitebsk and Mogilev exist but carry very limited scheduled international service, so nearly every itinerary from the UK routes through Minsk.
Airlines and routes
There are currently no direct flights between the UK and Belarus. UK and EU airspace remains closed to the Belarusian flag carrier Belavia, and British airlines do not serve the country. Realistic routes connect through a third city — most commonly Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, which links both London and Manchester to Istanbul with onward flights to Minsk. One-stop options via the Gulf, such as Dubai or Abu Dhabi, are also possible on Belavia's remaining network. Expect a total journey of roughly 9–14 hours depending on the connection, rather than the notional three-hour direct hop, which is not operating.
Popular places to visit in Belarus
- Minsk: A rebuilt capital of broad avenues, monumental Soviet-era architecture and a relaxed park and café culture.
- Mir Castle: A UNESCO-listed 16th-century fortress of Gothic and Renaissance towers, an easy trip from Minsk.
- Nesvizh: The Radziwiłł family palace and its landscaped park, also UNESCO-listed and often paired with Mir.
- Brest Fortress: A vast and moving Second World War memorial on the Polish border.
- Belovezhskaya Pushcha: One of Europe's last primeval forests, home to wild European bison and shared with Poland.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Belarus
- Compare connections, not just airlines: Istanbul and Gulf routings vary widely in price and total time — check the When to book chart above.
- Be flexible by a day or two; midweek departures are usually cheaper than weekends.
- Book the whole journey on a single ticket where you can, so the airline is responsible for any missed connection.
- Set a fare alert and watch the price charts on this page rather than booking the first fare you see.
Travel essentials
Visa: Belarus has at times allowed visa-free entry for UK visitors for stays of up to 30 days when arriving by air at Minsk, but conditions apply (you generally cannot arrive from or travel onward to Russia) and the rules change frequently — confirm the current position before booking. Currency: the Belarusian rouble (BYN); note that Visa and Mastercard cards issued outside Belarus generally do not work there because of sanctions, so carry euros or US dollars in cash to exchange. When to book: see the When to book chart and price charts on this page for live guidance.
