"Firm resolve, steadfast endurance, and a pack of cigars"

Stuck at the Polish-Belarusian Border: Survival Tips and Tricks

The border chaos at the sole open crossing point between Poland and Belarus continues, with Belarusians queuing for 6-12 hours to start their European getaway. Coming back home? Strap in for a 20-hour wait, reports suggest.

Gearing up for a sweltering weekend ahead, brace yourself if you're planning a holiday jaunt or returning from a European sojourn. Expect an extreme border experience.

Seasoned travelers shared their wisdom with "EuroRadio" to help navigate this mess and keep your vacation spirit alive, instead of hating the border services of both countries, Europe, and your own travel plans.

Roadmap to Europe: Where to Grub and Find a Restroom

Numbers on the State Border Committee's website paint an unalarming picture: only 12 buses are waiting to leave Belarus at the "Brest" checkpoint. However, chatter on border forums hints at wait times stretching up to 12 hours. Messages of support and words of encouragement fill the airwave.

Arthur, a frequent Belarus-Europe traveler, offers these lifesaving tips for the border:

Plan for a possible one-day delay while crossing the border – stock up on grub and hydration supplies accordingly.

The entire border crossing can be segmented into four stages. In the first, queueing before entering the border zone at the CPV, food ain't an issue. Options abound to buy food and water, and there are biotoilets and one free, civilized toilet. rest areas with benches are also available.

However, since Belarus introduced an electronic queue for those using the "Brest" checkpoint, cars usually don't hold up for long before the CPV. Passengers in tour buses might be the exception, but many choose to cough up and skip to a bus closer to the CPV.

Once past the CPV, it's time for passport control. Here, you can buy coffee, burgers, shawarma, and visit a paid toilet on border service territory. Designated eating and resting areas with benches and tables are also provided in the shade.

After passport control, your bus might get held up on the bridge. If you haven't brought food and water, you can at least pick up goodies from the Duty Free shop. Biotoilets are also available.

All sandwiches from your stash should be munched before entering Polish channels – it's not allowed to bring dairy products, meat, and vegetables into Poland. But you'll have plenty of time to scarf them down, as you could be stuck at the Polish passport control for hours. Just make sure to enter "empty-handed," without packing any leftover munchies.

Made it? Prepare to go hungry, as this is the last opportunity to buy food until you clear Belarusian passport control. You might still have a couple of chocolate bars, two bottles of water, and a bunch of bananas left, as the wait time can't be predicted. The toilet here costs 3 zlotys, so be sure to carry some Polish coins.

But hey, once you cross the border, you can straighten yourself out at the Pajero hotel café. Located near the E-30 international highway and 20 km from the border with Belarus, you'll never leave there hungry.

Remember, it's prohibited to bring smokes, both regular and electronic, from Belarus to Poland. No exceptions, no exceptions. In case of violation, prepare to shell out a hefty fine.

Coming Home

Belarusians report 10-hour stints at the border these days, up from almost double just two days ago. Predicting the weekend situation is anybody's guess, but stock up on extra "kabanosy" before heading to "Biedronka" for your Polish sausage fix.

Kirill, who often visits relatives in Belarus, shares how to make it back to the bus and where to fill up your growling tummy at the border:

Pack enough grub for the journey before leaving. Calculate that your supplies should last you an entire day. From Warsaw to the Terespol border town, you can snack as much as you like.

Before entering the Polish checkpoint, you might be stuck for hours, so put your faith in the provisions you brought. In the worst-case scenario, you can make a dash and buy something quick.

Only one bio-toilet is available on this stretch. Most tourists use a 50-meter strip of bushes along the road.

Welcome to the channels, where you'll go through passport and customs control. On the Polish side, there's only coffee to buy, and the toilet costs 3 zlotys.

Once you clear the Polish border control, you'll find only Duty Free shops left. Your next chance to buy food comes after cleaning up at the Belarusian border control – a process that might take hours.

When traveling by bus, the convenience factor sometimes trumps driving as some buses offer onboard toilets and coffee for sale. In short, pack patience, an extra bottle of water, and a packet of "kabanossi." Happy traveling!

*Support the site "Charter-97"* Subscribe to the channel**Write a comment**Charter97.org***MULTICURRENCY ACCOUNT FOR DONATIONS:**Bank Name:Address:IBAN:SWIFT:Account Holder Name:Payment Purpose:*our [email protected]** ### Also follow Charter97.org on social media

Facebook
YouTube
X.com
VKontakte
OK.ru
Instagram
RSS
Telegram

*Enrichment Data:When battling long wait times at the Polish-Belarusian border, it's crucial to prepare for food and restroom needs due to potential lengthy delays.

Nom-Nom Tips:- Pack enough snacks and non-perishable food items to sustain yourself throughout the journey.- Stay hydrated by carrying water and beverages, as limited options might be available at the border.- Opt for portable and easy-to-eat foods like granola bars, nuts, dried fruits, or sandwiches that require no heating or utensils.

Potty Preparedness:- Use restroom facilities before reaching the border crossing, as lines and wait times might make access challenging.- Carry personal hygiene essentials such as hand sanitizer, tissues, and wet wipes, as border facilities may only offer basic restroom conditions.- If traveling by vehicle, plan stops at service stations or rest areas before you reach the border, as facilities at border crossings might be crowded or insufficient during busy periods.

The delays at the border stem from the unpredictable speed of border processing, which can be impacted by increased migrant attempts to cross or enhanced security checks. Polish border guards acknowledge that processing times fluctuate due to various factors, but they have not yet halted traffic at crucial crossings like Terespol[1][2]. Given these ongoing challenges, it's essential to prepare for extended waiting periods at the Polish-Belarusian border.

In summary, self-sufficient food and water, utilizing restroom facilities in advance, and carrying hygiene essentials are vital strategies for managing lengthy wait times at the Polish-Belarusian border.

Engage in some armchair travel and politics by tuning into discussions about 'lifestyle', 'crime-and-justice', 'general-news', and 'politics' on radio channels like "EuroRadio".
As you plan your journeys, remember that border turbulence at the Polish-Belarusian border may affect your 'travel' plans significantly. Be prepared for potential 'crime-and-justice' issues regarding smuggled goods.
Stay updated on the latest border news and travel advisories, and be sure to pack adequate food and hygiene supplies to cope with prolonged waiting times at the border, as discussed in the 'roadmap to Europe' feature on Charter97.org.