Where to stay in Brest

Brest, formerly Brest-Litovsk (1600s–1923) and Brest-on-the-Bug (1923–1939), is a city in south-western Belarus at the border with Poland opposite the Polish town of Terespol, where the Bug and Mukhavets rivers meet, making it a border town. It serves as the administrative center of Brest Region and Brest District, though it is administratively separated from the district.

Brest is a city with a long and complex history, and at different times it has been part of different countries and linked to different cultures. First mentioned in 11th century chronicles, Brest was a city in the eastern part of Kievan Rus. Later it became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and eventually in the 16th century, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. When, in the late 18th century, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was partitioned between Prussia, Russia and Austria at the end of the 18th century, Brest became part of Russia on the newly created eastern border with Austria.

Cheap rooms are offered by hotel of locomotive depot of Brest Railway station, on the Geroiv Oborony Brestskoy Kreposty street.

Getting in

Train, car, bus connections are with the local town on the Polish side, Terespol. Poland observes daylight saving time and Belarus doesn't, meaning there's a time difference of either one or two hours depending on the time of year. Western parts of Brest oblast form the so-called “Brest tourist region” foreigners from EU and some other western countries can visit without a visa for up to 15 days. Instead of a visa a tourist voucher for about €12 is needed. These can be obtained online from travel agencies like “Grodno Visa Free” or “Belarus visa free”.

Getting around

Transport within Brest city is very regular, with many different bus routes through the city, and also regular trolley-buses through the city. Taxis are also easy to order and "marshrutkas" also operate throughout the city. The main attractions are all within walking distance.

Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.