For many citizens of the former CIS countries, the journey through Europe begins with Poland. Belarusian and Russian tourists can enter this country, for example, through the Domachevo checkpoint.
A couple of years ago, this checkpoint was closed for some time due to the need to repair the bridge over the Western Bug River, which separates Belarus and Poland at this point. At that time, many motorists were interested in when the Domachevo border crossing would be opened. After all, the load on other checkpoints of the Polish-Belarusian border at that time greatly increased. And consequently, the queues grew. But in October 2016, this checkpoint, fortunately, started working again.
What checkpoints are there on the Polish-Belarusian border
In total, there are 7 checkpoints in Belarus on the border with Poland. They work in different modes. Belarusian and Russian tourists can cross the border in a car only through one of the following 5 checkpoints:
- "Warsaw Bridge".
- "Ginger".
- "Brestovitsa".
- "Domachevo".
- "Bruzgi".
Point "Kozlovichi" allows only freight transport to enter Poland. Only pedestrians and cyclists cross the border at Pererovo.
Where is the point "Domachevo"
This checkpoint is located 45 km south of the city of Brest. The exact coordinates of the Domachevo border crossing are as follows: 51°44'38"N 23°36'20"E. The checkpoint from Poland in this place is "Slovatichi".
Most often, motorists cross the border through the nearby checkpoint "Warsaw Bridge". "Domachevo" is considered to be mostly an alternative transition. The fact is that very long queues often accumulate at the Varshavsky Bridge checkpoint. In this case, some travelers go further - along the Polish border through Priluki and Znamenka to Domachevo.
To get to this checkpoint, you just need to turn left a little before reaching the Varshavsky Bridge and drive straight for about 40 km. The queues at the Domachevo border crossing usually do not accumulate too long.
What is a settlement
Samo Domachevo is an urban-type settlement. For the first time, mentions of this settlement are found in documents of the 18th century. The village became part of the Russian Empire after the division of the Commonwe alth in 1795. Even then, there was also a border post here.
In 1921, according to the Treaty of Riga, Domachevo became part ofinterwar Polish Republic. After the outbreak of World War II, in 1939, this settlement became part of Belarus. On January 15, 1940, Domachevo was given the status of an urban-type settlement.
During the Second World War, the Nazis staged on the territory of this settlement. ghetto, in which about 2-3 thousand Jews were subsequently killed. At the moment, the Polish border is about 400 meters from this village.
Features of the checkpoint operation
Some time ago, as mentioned, this checkpoint was not working. The Domachevo border crossing was closed in 2016, however, it was not for too long - only a few months. It is currently functioning smoothly.
Choose Domachevo to cross the border, thus, mainly those travelers who do not want to stand in line for a long time. In most cases, people arriving at this checkpoint find themselves in Poland within 1-2 hours.
Experienced travelers recommend this checkpoint to those tourists who want to get to the Czech Republic, Hungary or Slovakia through Poland. Also, Belarusian and Russian motorists usually go through the border crossing "Domachevo", heading to Kielce, Krakow or Lublin.
Tourists most often choose this checkpoint to cross the Polish border. "Warsaw Bridge" is preferred mainly by border merchants. Tourists, on the other hand, can easily make up for the time spent on the road from Brest to the village by quickly passing control. Moreover, the asph alt on the roads connectingthese two settlements, judging by the reviews, are pretty good. And there are a lot of gas stations on local highways. Motorists have the opportunity to fill the tank with gasoline every 40 km.
Passes through the border of the checkpoint "Domachevo" mostly just cars. This control point is international. Its throughput is 2000 cars per day. On average, about 800 cars pass through this point per day.
Reviews of the border crossing "Domachevo" from motorists deserved good. There are usually no special problems with traveling to the territory of Poland for tourists passing control here, if they have all the necessary documents. The checkpoint allows passenger vehicles to enter the territory of Poland around the clock, without breaks for lunches and weekends.
Helpful advice
The queue at the border crossing "Domachevo" (Belarus - Poland) of cars does not accumulate too much. But for those tourists who, for whatever reason, want to get to Poland as soon as possible, experienced travelers are advised to arrive at this border checkpoint around 8 am. On any day of the week at this time, crossing the border to Domachevo can be done very quickly, almost without wasting time.
Control procedure
Those who decide to enter Poland through the border crossing at Domachevo, tourists first pass a gas station and one sump with a barrier. Then, near the second barrier, travelers pay an environmental fee of approximately 3,500 Belarusian rubles. At the same time, in their handsa paper confirming this fact is issued.
Then motorists enter the second sump, where they check their documents at the barrier. Also, tourists are given a "runner". The border terminal itself is already located in the last third sump.
At this point, travelers must choose which corridor they want to go next. If you do not need to declare any goods, you should choose Green. Otherwise, you will need to drive to the Red Corridor.
At the final stage, travelers wishing to get to Poland, in the terminal itself, should park the car where the customs officer indicates, and go to the transport inspection booth in order to get a signature on the "runner". Here tourists will be checked, among other things, for the availability of paid transit.
Polish item "Slovatichi"
How the Domachevo border crossing works, we found out. But what awaits travelers at the checkpoint on the Polish side. As soon as the signature on the "runner" is received, tourists can already leave the territory of Belarus. Motorists need to follow the repaired bridge over the Western Bug River and enter the Polish customs terminal. Here, travelers will have to answer a few on-duty questions from border guards.
Employees of the Polish checkpoint "Slovatichi" speak Russian as well. So travelers should not have any special problems with crossing the border at this stage either. The most frequentthe questions that employees of the Slovatichi point ask car owners are “What are you carrying?” and “Where are you going?”.
As many travelers note, Polish border guards often also check the operation of the lighting equipment of tourists' cars crossing the border. The employees of the Slovatichi checkpoint are also very attentive to the amount of alcohol transported to the territory of their state. It is not allowed to carry more than 1 liter of vodka and 2 liters of wine per person. In addition, the number of cigarettes carried by travelers is also checked at the Polish border. According to the rules, it is allowed to carry no more than 2 packs of tobacco products per person.
What documents are required
To get to Poland through the border crossing "Slovatichi - Domachevo", citizens of Belarus and the CIS countries, among other things, will need (for 2018):
- green card;
- passport with valid visa;
- he alth insurance;
- PTS, driver's license, registration certificate;
- ticket about the passage of MOT;
- document confirming the purpose of the trip;
- paper confirming hotel reservations.
Travelers carrying a pet will need to present to the Polish border guards, among other things, a document confirming the absence of diseases. In addition, the pet must have a tattooed number or a sewn-in CHIP.
Travellers may also be required to show guaranteessolvency. Each person entering the territory of Poland must have at least 300 PLN for each day of residence (including the equivalent in foreign currency). You can show the border guards both cash and a credit card.
How to get to Poland through Domachevo for Russians
Poland has a common border with the Russian Federation - in the Kaliningrad region. However, to get to this region, Russians need to travel through Lithuania, having issued a Schengen visa, or through Belarus. Therefore, many residents of the Russian Federation prefer to simply cross the border with Poland in the Brest region, including Domachevo, without making "loops" to the Kaliningrad region.
In order to get into Belarus itself, residents of Russia need to show at the border:
- your passport;
- documents confirming the right to drive a vehicle;
- green card.
Belarusian customs officers, among other things, have their own website. Here, Internet users who wish to visit this country can use the service of an electronic queue for crossing the border. All that is needed for this is to register on the site and fill out the form provided. You can take a place in the electronic queue for crossing the border of Belarus in 90 days.
What is a green card
Such a policy is a kind of international similarity to the Russian OSAGO. Many insurance companies of the Russian Federation and Belarus issue a Green Card. Tourists traveling to Poland should definitely buy such a policy. Otherwise, they, unfortunately, will not be able to cross the border.
BIn Poland itself, the policy must be carried everywhere with you. In case of his absence, road inspectors on the territory of this state issue a rather large fine to the motorist. Russian tourists without this document should not travel on the roads of Belarus itself. The fine for his absence in this state for foreign citizens is about $200.
Traveling through Poland
The closest city to the Domachevo border crossing is Terespol. There are a lot of Russian and Belarusian tourists entering the territory of Poland lately. And the infrastructure of the surroundings of Terespol is very friendly to travelers from the CIS countries. Along the E30 highway, for example, leading from the Domachevo checkpoint to this town, there are many billboards and signs in Russian.
The roads themselves in Poland, judging by the reviews of tourists, are mostly flat and two-lane. Overtaken drivers in this country traditionally lean to the right, letting a faster motorist pass. On simple roads in Poland it is allowed to drive at speeds up to 90 km / h, on highways - up to 120 km / h.
Pay for food in restaurants and rooms in many roadside motels in Poland, including in euros. Catering establishments and gas stations with toilets on the roads of this country are usually located every 30-50 km.
Motorists do not consider the roads of Poland too confusing. In order not to get lost in this country, Russian or Belarusian tourists will not needeven navigator. For comfortable movement on the roads of Poland, it will be enough to buy a simple card at any of the gas stations.
