How to Get from Zimbabwe to Belarus: A Complete Guide to Buying Air Tickets

Traveling from Zimbabwe to Belarus is an exciting step toward your academic journey. However, planning your trip requires careful attention to visa requirements, flight bookings, and timing. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of buying air tickets, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free journey. Plus, we'll share tips to avoid common pitfalls, such as visa extensions and baggage issues.

1. Visa Requirements and Timing

Before booking your flight, it's crucial to understand Belarus's visa requirements. Here's what you need to know:

• Visa Validity: Ensure there's at least 2 weeks between your arrival date in Belarus and the expiration date of your visa, so that you have time to complete all the application steps. If you arrive with less than 2 weeks left on your visa, you'll likely need to extend it for another 30 days, which can cost up to $100. If you come too late to extend it, you can face charges from the government ranging from 150$ up to 1000$, which can also include deportation.
• When to Book Tickets: We recommend buying your air tickets immediately after receiving your visa from the embassy. If the embassy is closed and you're applying for a visa on arrival, wait until you have the invitation letter scan before booking your flight.

For more details on visa requirements, check out our comprehensive guide: Everything About Visas in Belarus for Zimbabweans.

2. Flight Ticket Prices: Don't Wait Too Long

Many travelers assume that flight prices drop closer to the departure date, but this is rarely the case for routes from Zimbabwe to Belarus. Here's why you should book early:

• Price Stability: Flight prices for this route generally remain consistent and do not decrease as the departure date approaches.
• Avoid Last-Minute Stress: Booking early ensures you get the best available seats and avoid the risk of sold-out flights.

Pro Tip: Once you have your visa or invitation letter confirmation, book your tickets as soon as possible to secure your travel plans.

3. Choosing the Right Flight

When traveling from Zimbabwe to Belarus, you have two main options for booking flights:

Option 1: Booking Separate Flights

• How It Works: You can book flights with different airlines, such as flying from Harare to a major hub (e.g., Dubai, Istanbul, or Doha) and then taking a connecting flight to Minsk.
• Pros: Sometimes cheaper.
• Cons:
  • Long Layovers: You may face extended waiting times between flights.
  • Baggage Issues: Different airlines may have varying baggage policies, leading to potential delays or lost luggage.

Option 2: Using Flight Aggregators

To avoid the hassle of booking separate flights, we recommend using trusted flight aggregators like Trip.com or Aviasales.com. These platforms offer:

• Seamless Booking: Compare prices and schedules across multiple airlines in one place.
• Customer Support: Assistance with changes or cancellations.
• Better Deals: Often provide discounts and bundled offers.

4. How to Buy Tickets Through Trip.com and Aviasales.com

Here's a step-by-step guide to booking your flights through Trip.com and Aviasales.com:

Booking Through Trip.com

1. You can either book the tickets by choosing the city of departure in the widget above or visit the website and follow the next steps: Trip.com .
2. Enter Your Details:
   • Make sure to select a one-way or return flight.
   • Departure City: Harare (or your nearest airport).
   • Destination City: Minsk (MSQ).
   • Travel Dates: Enter your planned departure date.
3. Search for Flights: Click "Search" to view available flights. Choose the flights that arrive in Minsk in the datetime from Monday to Friday. This way you won't have to pay extra for a hotel.
4. Compare Options: Review the flight options, including layovers, prices, and airlines.
5. Select Your Flight: Choose the flight that best suits your schedule and budget.
6. Enter Passenger Details: Fill in your personal information and passport details.
7. Payment: Complete the payment process using a credit/debit card or other available payment methods.
8. Confirmation: Once payment is successful, you'll receive a confirmation email with your e-ticket.

Booking Through Aviasales.com

1. Enter the details of the trip in the widget above or visit the website: Aviasales.com .
2. Enter Your Details:
   • Make sure to select a one-way or return flight.
   • Departure City: Harare (or your nearest airport).
   • Destination City: Minsk (MSQ).
   • Travel Dates: Enter your planned departure and return dates.
3. Search for Flights: Click "Search" to view available flights. Choose the flights that arrive in Minsk in the datetime from Monday to Friday. This way you won't have to pay extra for a hotel.
4. Compare Options: Review the flight options, including layovers, prices, and airlines.
5. Select Your Flight: Choose the flight that best suits your schedule and budget.
6. Enter Passenger Details: Fill in your personal information and passport details.
7. Payment: Complete the payment process using a credit/debit card or other available payment methods.
8. Confirmation: Once payment is successful, you'll receive a confirmation email with your e-ticket.

Pro Tip: Both platforms allow you to set price alerts, so you can monitor fare changes and book at the best time.

5. Tips for a Smooth Journey

Here are some additional tips to make your travel experience stress-free:

1. Check Visa and Flight Dates: Double-check that your visa validity aligns with your travel dates.
2. Pack Smart: Start preparing your luggage early. Check out our upcoming article: Checklist of What to Bring with You to Belarus.
3. Plan Your Arrival: Familiarize yourself with the arrival process in Belarus. Our guide, The Day of Departure and Arrival in Belarus: What to Do, will walk you through every step.

6. Final Thoughts

Traveling from Zimbabwe to Belarus is a straightforward process if you plan ahead. By booking your flights early, using reliable platforms like Trip.com or Aviasales.com, and ensuring your visa is in order, you can focus on preparing for your exciting new chapter in Belarus.

Ready to book your flight? Here are the links for the platforms mentioned in this article:

• Trip.com
• Aviasales.com

Stay tuned for more guides on studying, working, and living in Belarus!