For many citizens of the countries of the former CIS, a trip to Europe begins with Poland. Belarusian and Russian tourists can get to this country, for example, through the checkpoint "Domachevo".
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 in this place. Then many motorists were interested in when they would open the Domachevo border crossing. Indeed, the load on other checkpoints of the Polish-Belarusian border at that time greatly increased. And consequently, queues have grown. But in October 2016, this checkpoint, fortunately, started working again.
What checkpoints are 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 by car only through one of the 5 following checkpoints:
- "Warsaw bridge".
- The sand.
- "Brestovitsa".
- "Domachevo".
- "Bruzgi."
The Kozlovichi point allows only freight transport to Poland. In Pererovo, only pedestrians and cyclists cross the border.
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 on the Polish side at this point is the Slovatichi.
Most often, motorists cross the border through the nearby Warsaw Bridge checkpoint. “Domachevo” is considered to be an alternative transition. The fact is that at the Warsaw Bridge checkpoint very large lines often accumulate. 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 and drive about 40 km straight before reaching the Warsaw Bridge. The lines at the Domachevo border crossing are usually not too long.
What is a settlement
Domachevo itself is an urban-type settlement. For the first time about this settlement, mentions are found in documents of the 18th century. The village became part of the Russian Empire after the partition of the Commonwealth in 1795. Even then, a border post was also located here.
In 1921, under the Riga Treaty, Domachevo became part of the interwar 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 in the territory of this village ghetto, in which about 2-3 thousand Jews were subsequently killed. At present, the Polish border runs about 400 m from this village.
Features of the checkpoint
Some time ago, as already mentioned, this checkpoint did not work. The Domachevo border crossing was closed in 2016, however, it was not too long - only a few months. Currently, it operates smoothly.
Domachevo is chosen for crossing the border, thus, mainly those travelers who do not want to stand in line for a long time. In most cases, people who arrived at this checkpoint in Poland will be in 1-2 hours.
Experienced travelers recommend this checkpoint to those tourists who, through Poland, want to get to the Czech Republic, Hungary or Slovakia. Also, Belarusian and Russian motorists traveling to Kielce, Krakow or Lublin usually go through the Domachevo border crossing.
This checkpoint is most often chosen by tourists for crossing the Polish border. The Warsaw Bridge is mainly preferred by border merchants. Tourists spent on the road from Brest to the village can easily catch up due to the quick passage of control. Moreover, asphalt on the roads connecting these two settlements, judging by the reviews, is pretty good. And there are a lot of gas stations on local routes. Motorists have the opportunity to fill the tank with gasoline every 40 km.
Mostly only passenger cars pass through the border of the Domachevo checkpoint. This control point is international. Its throughput is 2000 cars per day. On average, about 800 passenger cars pass through this point per day.
Reviews border crossing "Domachevo" from motorists earned good. Special problems with travel to the territory of Poland for tourists passing here control, in the presence of all the necessary documents, usually does not arise. Passes passenger transport checkpoint to the territory of Poland around the clock, without breaks for lunch and weekends.
Useful advice
The line at the Domachevo border crossing (Belarus - Poland) from cars is not too large. But for those tourists who, for whatever reason, want to get to Poland quickly, experienced travelers are advised to arrive at this border crossing point at about 8 in the morning. On any day of the week at this time, crossing the border into Domachevo can be done very quickly, almost without spending time.
Control procedure
Tourists who decide to enter Poland precisely through the border crossing to Domachevo 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, they are issued with a hand confirming this fact.
Next, motorists enter the second sump, where they check documents at the barrier. Also, tourists are given a "slider." In the last third sump, the border terminal itself is located directly.
At this point, travelers should choose which corridor they need to go next. If there is no need to declare any goods, choose Green. Otherwise, you will need to go to the Red Corridor.
At the final stage, travelers who want to get to Poland should put the car in the terminal where the customs officer indicates and go to the transport inspection booth in order to get a signature on the “runner”. Here, tourists will check, among other things, the availability of paid transit.
Polish paragraph "Slovatichi"
We have found out how the Domachevo border crossing works. 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 several on-duty questions of border guards.
Employees of the Polish Slovatichi checkpoint also speak Russian. So, travelers should not have any special problems with crossing the border at this stage either. The most common questions that Slovatichi employees ask car owners are “What are you lucky?” and "Where are you going?"
As many travelers note, Polish border guards often check the lighting equipment of cars of tourists crossing the border. Very carefully, the Slovatichi checkpoint employees also monitor the amount of alcohol transported to the territory of their state. Carrying more than 1 liter of vodka and 2 liters of wine per person is not allowed. In addition, the number of cigarettes carried by travelers is checked at the Polish border. According to the rules, it is allowed to have no more than 2 packs of tobacco products per person.
What documents are needed
To get to Poland through the Slovatichi - Domachevo border crossing, citizens of Belarus and the CIS countries, among other things, will need (for 2018):
- green map;
- passport with a valid visa;
- medical insurance;
- Title, driver's license, certificate of registration;
- MOT pass;
- document confirming the purpose of the trip;
- hotel confirmation paper.
Travelers carrying a pet will need to present to the Polish border guards, among other things, a document stating that he has no illnesses. In addition, the pet must have a tattoo number or a sewn-in CHIP.
Travelers may also be required to present solvency guarantees. Each person entering Poland must have at least 300 zlotys for each day of their stay (including the equivalent in foreign currency). You can present frontier guards both cash and a credit card.
How to get to Poland through Domachevo to Russians
Poland has a common border with the Russian Federation - in the Kaliningrad region. However, to get into this region, Russians need to travel through Lithuania by applying for 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 in Domachevo, without making a “loop” in the Kaliningrad region.
In order to get into Belarus itself, residents of Russia need to present 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 electronic border crossing service. All you need to do is register on the site and fill out the form. It is possible to take a place in the electronic line for crossing the border of Belarus in 90 days.
What is a green card?
Such a policy is a kind of international semblance of Russian OSAGO. Many insurance companies of the Russian Federation and Belarus issue a Green Card. Buying such a policy for tourists traveling to Poland is a must. Otherwise, they, unfortunately, will not be able to cross the border.
In Poland itself, the policy should always be taken with you everywhere. If he is absent, road inspectors in the territory of this state will issue a rather large fine to the motorist. Russian tourists without this document should not travel along the roads of Belarus itself. The fine for his absence in this state for foreign citizens is about $ 200.
Traveling in Poland
Terespol is the closest city of this state to the Domachevo border crossing. Recently, a lot of Russian and Belarusian tourists have entered Poland into Poland. And the infrastructure of the vicinity of Terespol to travelers from the CIS countries is very friendly. 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. Overtaking drivers in this country are traditionally pushed to the right, skipping a faster motorist. On simple routes in Poland it is allowed to drive at a speed of up to 90 km / h, on highways - up to 120 km / h.
You can pay for food in restaurants and rooms in many roadside motels in Poland, including in euros. Catering and toilet facilities on the roads of this country are usually located every 30-50 km.
Motorists do not consider Poland's roads too confused. In order not to get lost in this country, Russian or Belarusian tourists will not even need a navigator. For comfortable movement on the roads of Poland, it will be enough to buy a simple card at any of the gas stations.