Which place is cheaper, Minsk or Moscow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Moscow or Minsk?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Moscow and Minsk. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Moscow or Minsk?
Moscow
Moscow is the capital of Russia and is notable for its important role in history. It's a very sprawling city with many museums and fascinating buildings. Ten percent of Russia's population lives in this capital city and it's a financial and political center for the country. The Moskva River weaves its way through the city and you will find most of the city's sights and attractions on the northern side of the river.
Minsk
Minsk is the capital city of Belarus, centrally located. Situated on the Svislac and Niamiha rivers, it is also capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and was the capital of the former Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1919-1991. It is a modern city dominated by monumental Stalinist architecture with many of its museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMoscow $65Minsk $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Moscow is $65, while the average daily cost in Minsk is $64. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Moscow and Minsk in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoscow $41Minsk $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoscow $82Minsk $64
Compare Hotels in Moscow and Minsk
Looking for a hotel in Moscow or Minsk? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Moscow $6.29Minsk $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Moscow
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:
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Two Metro Passes$1.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moscow
Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Tangkerang Labuai: $42
- Private Transfer from Tengkerang Tengah to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $42
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Kedungsari: $42
- Private Transfer from Kedungsari to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $42
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Tengkerang Barat: $42
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Cinta Raja: $44
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru City to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $44
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Kampung Bandar: $44
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Kota Baru: $44
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Harjosari: $44
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Kampung Dalam: $44
- Private Transfer from Kampung Bandar to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $44
Is it cheaper to fly into Moscow or Minsk?
Prices for flights to both Minsk and Moscow change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayMoscow $15Minsk $21
Typical Food Prices in Moscow
For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$6.11
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Lunch in the Center Market$3.33
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Breakfast for 2$11
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moscow $16Minsk $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Moscow
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Theater Tickets$13
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Kremlin Entry (2)$11
Tours and Activities in Moscow
For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Custom Private Tour in Palembang with English Speaking Driver: $85
- 2-Hour Private Guided Walking Tour in Bengkulu: $148
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMoscow $8.08Minsk $14
When comparing the travel costs between Moscow and Minsk, we can see that Moscow is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Moscow Expensive? and Is Minsk Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Moscow or Minsk?
Moscow has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Minsk. When comparing the sizes of Moscow and Minsk, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Moscow or Minsk?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Moscow or Minsk in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Moscow as well as Minsk.
In the summer, Moscow is around the same temperature as Minsk. Typically, the summer temperatures in Moscow in July average around 19°C (67°F), and Minsk averages at about 19°C (66°F).
Moscow usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Minsk. Moscow gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Minsk receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMoscow 19°C (67°F)Minsk 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Moscow or Minsk in the Autumn?
Both Minsk and Moscow are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In October, Moscow is generally cooler than Minsk. Daily temperatures in Moscow average around 6°C (43°F), and Minsk fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In October, Moscow usually receives more rain than Minsk. Moscow gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Minsk receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMoscow 6°C (43°F)Minsk 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Moscow or Minsk in the Winter?
Both Minsk and Moscow during the winter are popular places to visit.
It's quite cold in Minsk in the winter. The weather in Moscow can be very cold. Moscow is much colder than Minsk in the winter. The daily temperature in Moscow averages around -8°C (17°F) in January, and Minsk fluctuates around -5°C (22°F).
Moscow usually gets more rain in January than Minsk. Moscow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Minsk receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMoscow -8°C (17°F)Minsk -5°C (22°F)
Should I visit Moscow or Minsk in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Moscow and Minsk.
In the spring, Moscow is cooler than Minsk. Typically, the spring temperatures in Moscow in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Minsk averages at about 8°C (46°F).
In April, Moscow usually receives around the same amount of rain as Minsk. Moscow gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Minsk receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMoscow 7°C (45°F)Minsk 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Minsk and Moscow
| Moscow | Minsk | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (17°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | -5°C (22°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (30°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (23°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.