There Is Another Way to Get From Belarus to the EU without Restrictions
- 21.07.2021, 8:06
How and for how much?
Moscow-Kaliningrad train, which goes through Belarus and Lithuania, started running on July 17. One of the requirements to get on it is the presence of a Schengen visa. In a situation where Belarusians do not have many ways to travel to European countries, many questions arise. Is it possible for a passenger to get off in Vilnius? Is it possible to take this train to Belarus from the Lithuanian capital? Is it possible for Belarusians to travel to the EU through Kaliningrad?
The zerkalo.io correspondent understood the nuances of this opportunity to travel outside the country.
What trains are currently going to Kaliningrad via Belarus?
In April last year, the Russian Railways (RZD) temporarily suspended train services to Kaliningrad - passenger traffic decreased due to an unfavorable epidemiological situation with the coronavirus. Trains from Russian cities to Kaliningrad went through Belarus and Lithuania.
But Russian Railways gradually returned the trains to Kaliningrad. Today, routes to this city start from Moscow and Adler and pass through our country. Depending on the train, stops are provided in Maladzechna, Minsk, Barysau, Orsha, and Smarhon. To reach the endpoint, the train must travel through the territory of Lithuania.
Let us remind you that, since the end of April this year, Russian Railways has simplified the conditions for travel to the Kaliningrad region: transit through Belarus was allowed for Russians not only when issuing a simplified transit document for railway transport, but also on a Schengen visa. Citizens of Belarus can also ride on it. They have also increased the maximum number of passengers allowed on trains, and there are more stops in our country.
Recently, Belarusian Railways reported that, from July 17, citizens of Belarus, Russia, and foreigners with a residence permit can again travel by train to Kaliningrad.
Can I get off in Vilnius? Where is it possible to go from Kaliningrad?
Tickets from Minsk to Kaliningrad in a reserved seat cost from 76 to 115 rubles, in a compartment - from 130 to 182 rubles. However, they need to be bought in advance, as they are in demand.
The Belarusian Railways contact center clarified that the citizens of Belarus need a Schengen visa to get on the Moscow-Kaliningrad train (as well as the Adler-Kaliningrad train). However, passengers will not be able to get off in Vilnius.
- The train passes through the territory of the Republic of Lithuania without dropping off or picking up passengers, - clarified in the contact center of the Belarusian Railways. That is, on the way back, you will not be able to get on this train in Vilnius either.
Nevertheless, some Belarusians use Kaliningrad as a transfer point to travel to Europe - international bus routes run round-trip from the city.
In early July, our reader Anna traveled from Minsk to Kaliningrad by train from Adler.
- This is not a modern, but a completely ordinary train with parlor and compartment cars. There were a lot of people driving. In my parlor car, only the two side upper shelves and one side lower were free. Tickets are sold out very quickly. For example, I bought a ticket already to Russia on August 27, and now I’m looking - there are only 15 seats left for an additional car, - the passenger said.
The girl said that she had done a PCR test before leaving, but no one demanded to show it. According to her, when boarding the car, the conductor checks the passport and ticket of the passengers, draws attention to the visa. The train also stopped in Smarhon, border guards entered it - they also checked the passports of those leaving the country with visas.
The contact center of the Belarusian Railways clarified that Belarusians over 5 years old must have a negative PCR test to travel by train between Belarus and Russia. In this case, you must use the mobile application "Traveling without COVID-19."
The reader Anna also drew attention to the fact that the train stopped in Smarhon, border guards entered it - they also checked the passports of those leaving the country with visas.
“But we didn’t stop in Lithuania, we just passed it, so I do not understand why we need a visa in this case,” the Belarusian is perplexed.
Anna noted that Belarusians who need to go to Europe also travel to Kaliningrad. However, there are no flights from the local airport to the EU countries, but buses go. Tickets are sold to cities in Poland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Estonia. The cost of a ticket on the Ecolines bus from Kaliningrad to Warsaw is 38 euros, Berlin - 75 euros, Tallinn - 48 euros. But here you need to take into account that each country has its own "covid" restrictions. For example, 10 days of self-isolation will be required in Poland if you are not vaccinated with EU-approved vaccines.