A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Moscow vs. Minsk for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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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.

Which city is cheaper, Minsk or Moscow?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Moscow is $66, while the average daily cost in Minsk is $66. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Moscow and Minsk in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Moscow $41
    Minsk $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Moscow $82
    Minsk $66
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.

Hotels in Moscow


Hotels in Minsk


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Moscow Hotel Prices and Minsk Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Moscow $6.40
    Minsk $12
Typical Local Transportation prices in Moscow

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:


  • Two Metro Passes
    $1.91

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moscow

Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ultra - Moscow Private Airport Transfer - City Center to Domodedovo Intl Airport: $8.71
  • Ultra - Moscow Private Airport Transfer City Centre to Sheremetyevo Airport SVO: $9.41
  • Moscow Train Stations Private Arrival/Departure Transfer: $22
  • Private Arrival or Departure Transfer One Way: Moscow Airports to City Center: $23
  • Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Moscow Airports to Moscow City Center: $30
  • Private Airport Transfer: Moscow to Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO): $30
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Moscow to Vnukovo International Airport (VKO): $30
  • Moscow DME/SVO/VKO Airports Private Arrival/Departure Transfer: $32
  • Private transfer from the Moscow center hotel to Sheremetyevo Airport: $34
  • Moscow to Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) - Departure Private Transfer: $36
  • Departure Private Transfer Moscow City to Moscow Train Station by Business Car: $38
  • Private Business Transfer from Vnukovo Airport (VKO) to Moscow City Center: $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Minsk

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Minsk:

  • VIP Transfer from Minsk Airport (MSQ) to Minsk city center (any address) by Minibus: $167
  • VIP Minibus airport transfer Minsk with Mercedes V-class: $169
  • Transfers, One-Day Tours: $66
  • Transfer up/to Airport Minsk +1h Minsk sightseeing. Intermediate english driver.: $62
  • Transfer from/to Minsk airport by 2019 Mercedes Sprinter: $216
  • Transfer from Vitebsk to Minsk Airport or Minsk city (any address): $167
  • Transfer from Nationl Airport Minsk Business class: $37
  • Transfer from Minsk to airport. English speaking driver. All car classes.: $33
  • Transfer from Minsk to National Airport Minsk: $50
  • Transfer from Minsk city to Minsk International Airport (standart class sedan): $24
  • Transfer from Minsk airport to Minsk. English speaking driver. All car classes.: $33
  • Transfer from Minsk International Airport to Minsk (standart class sedan): $31

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Moscow $15
    Minsk $22
Typical Food prices in Moscow

For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $7.78
  • Lunch in the Center Market
    $4.24
  • Breakfast for 2
    $14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moscow

For Moscow, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Virtual Home Cooking with Russian Family: $22
  • Moscow Food Tour: $67
  • An evening at the monastery with dinner: $80
  • An Evening at the Monastery with Dinner: $85
  • Traditional Russian Cooking Class and Meal in Moscow with a Friendly Local: $91
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Russian Cooking Class in Moscow: $101
  • Food Tour: $102
  • Traditional Russian Cooking Class and Meal in a Local Home in Moscow: $117
  • Traditional French-Russian Dinner in a Local's Home: $118
  • Moscow Metro and Russian Dinner Private tour: $127
  • Moscow River Cruise with Dinner and Lively Firework with a Private Guide: $133
  • Private food tour: Russian culinary culture: $144

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Moscow $17
    Minsk $20
Typical Entertainment prices in Moscow

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Theater Tickets
    $16
  • Kremlin Entry (2)
    $14

Tours and Activities in Moscow

For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Moscow classical tour: $6.38
  • Admission ticket to Kolomenskoye Historical and Architectural Museum and Reserve: $7.02
  • Tsaritsyno Museum entrance ticket: $8.14
  • Admission ticket to the The Museum of Cosmonautics: $11
  • The Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center Admission Ticket: $12
  • Admission ticket to the State Museum of GULAG's History, Moscow: $13
  • The Museum of Victory Admission Ticket: $13
  • Guided Metro Tour by Night: $14
  • Admission ticket to the Tochka-G Museum of Erotic Art, Moscow: $14
  • Admission ticket to Gallery of the European and American XIX-XX centuries art: $14
  • Tretyakov Gallery Admission Ticket: $16
  • Admission ticket to the New Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow: $17

Tours and Activities in Minsk

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Minsk are as follows:

  • 14 Days Mysterious Transilvania, Ukraine, Belarus & Moldova Small Group Tour: $4,379
  • 2 Castles for 1 private tour from Minsk - Mir and Nesvizh.: $135
  • 2-days: Minsk City Tour + Nesvizh Palace - Mir Castle: $293
  • 2-days: Minsk City Tour - Stalin Line + Nesvizh Palace - Mir Castle: $434
  • 2city in 1day, from Minsk to Lida Castle (city) and the Grodno city Private tour: $240
  • 3-hours Guided Minsk City Tour (Driving & Walking Tour): $109
  • 3-hrs sightseeing tour around Minsk (Private Driving & Walking Tour): $119
  • 4 Castles for 1 private tour from Minsk - Mir, Nesvizh, Kosava and Ružany Palace: $200
  • 4 Castles for 1 private tour from Minsk - Mir, Nesvizh, Novogrudok, Lubchany: $200
  • 5-Day Private Belarus-Ukraine Tour: $1,742
  • 5-Day Small-Group Belarus - Ukraine Tour: $1,261
  • Authentic Belarusian Experience: $220

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Moscow $8.22
    Minsk $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Moscow

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Moscow:

  • Pub Crawl by Soviet Van: $76
  • Pub Crawl Moscow Guided Tour in Classic Soviet Van: $79
  • Private Wine Tour in Moscow with History, Architecture and Friendly Local Guide: $121

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Moscow and Minsk, we can see that Minsk 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.


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 are around 19°C (67°F), and Minsk is 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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Moscow 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. Temperatures in Moscow average around 6°C (43°F), and Minsk stays 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Moscow 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 temperature in Moscow is usually -8°C (17°F) in January, and Minsk stays 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Moscow -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 are around 7°C (45°F), and Minsk is 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Moscow 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)


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Moscow vs. Minsk Travel Comparison

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