Belarus Practical information

Money & costs

Money

Belarusian roubles are sometimes dotingly referred to as zaichiki (rabbits), as the one-rouble note, first issued in 1992, featured a leaping rabbit. The bunny money’s wide spectrum of bill denominations is overwhelming to the newcomer (there are 10s, 20s, 50s, 100s, 500s, 1000s, 5000s, 10, 000s, 20, 000s and 50, 000s). Thank god there are no coins.

ATMs and currency-exchange offices are not hard to find in Belrusian cities. Major credit cards are accepted at many of the nicer hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets in Minsk, but travellers cheques are not worth the effort. Some businesses quote prices in euros or US dollars (using the abbreviation YE), but payment is only accepted in BR.