UK Foreign Office

World news story: Europa League Travel Advice: Zenit St Petersburg v Celtic FC

By Slava Jefremov -

5th February 2018

Date: Thursday 22 February

Venue: mZenit Arena, 25 Yuzhnaya Doroga, Krestovsky Island, St Petersburg

57,000 capacity, opened in December 2016

Kick off time: 9pm local time; 6pm UK time

As well as this advice, check out the travel advice for Russia.

Passport and visas

You’ll need a visa to enter Russia – make sure you apply for the correct type and duration of visa. For further information, see the Russian Embassy website and the website of VFS Global who manage Russian visa applications on behalf of the Embassy.

Before you travel to Russia make sure that you are aware of the terms and conditions attached to your visa for both entry and exit. Overstaying your visa can result in a delay to your departure from Russia, fines, court hearings, and possible deportation and a ban from entering Russia in the future. If you need an extension, you should arrange this before your visa expires.

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months after the expiry date of your visa.

If you’re travelling on a British passport issued since January 2017, you should make sure you’ve signed your passport before you travel. Some British nationals who haven’t signed their new passports have been denied entry into Russia.

Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid in Russia, so travel insurance is essential, even if you are only going for one night – it could save you a lot of money if you get into difficulties.

You must carry ID with you at all times. Take a photocopy of your passport and visa, and leave this in your hotel room.

All foreign nationals entering Russia must sign a migration card, which is produced at passport control in the airports. The card is in two identical parts. One part will be retained by the Immigration Officer on arrival. You should keep the other part with your passport; you will need it when you leave Russia.

If you lose your passport, you’ll need to get an Emergency Travel Document from the British Consulate General in St Petersburg between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

You’ll need to supply a passport photo, flight reservation details and a police report. The fee for an Emergency Travel Document is 100 GBP payable by Visa or MasterCard. You will also need to obtain a replacement visa – the British Consulate General will advise on the process, but it may take time.

The British Consulate General will have a local presence at the match. If you need to contact the British Consulate General during your time in St Petersburg:

Lafonskaya Ul. 5 (formerly Pl. Proletarskoy Diktatury 5)

191124 St Petersburg

Russia

Telephone number: + 7 812 320 3200 (follow auto recorded prompts to Consular Services)

Office hours: Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

Getting to St Petersburg from the UK

There are no direct flights between Glasgow and St Petersburg, but you can take a direct flight to St Petersburg from London. All international flights to St Petersburg arrive at Pulkovo airport. ATMs and cash exchange offices are available in the airport and in the city, rates may significantly vary. If you bring cash, it is recommended to take USD or EUR, as pounds are a rare currency in Russia.

Pulkovo international airport (LED) is approximately 23km from the city centre.

The fastest way to get to the city centre is by express bus to Moskovskaya metro station and then by metro. It will take you 20 minutes to reach Moskovskaya metro station by express bus 39э and 15 – 20 minutes by 39k, the fee is 40 RUB (£0.50).

To travel on the underground or Metro system, a token or travel card must be purchased from a ticket machine/office found in any station foyer. A token for a single journey costs 45 RUB (£0.60).

You can also take a taxi from the official stall in the arrivals lounge, the price is about 1,500 RUR, or £20. Don’t share a taxi with strangers. You should agree the fare before getting into the taxi.

Getting to the stadium

The stadium is located 10 km Northwest from the city centre, 30 kilometres from the airport. The nearest metro station Krestovsky Iceland (Крестовский остров) of purple line No.5 is 2.5 kilometres from the stadium (approximately 30 minutes walk).
If you choose to get to the stadium by taxi, ask your hotel to get a taxi for you, ask for a telephone number of a reputable taxi company, or use an established company. You should agree the fare before getting into the taxi. There is usually heavy traffic in St Petersburg.
Further details on how to get to the stadium can be found here.

At the match

Fans are asked to arrive at the stadium in good time for security check and ticket checking. The stadium will open the turnstiles 2 hours before kick-off. Kick-off is at 9pm local time, so turnstiles will open at 7pm.

Entry to the stadium is subject to security checks. Fans will be asked to pass through a body scanner and then searched by a steward. Bags larger than 25cm x 25cm will be directed to a baggage storage area.

The list of banned items includes alcohol, glass, bottles, cans and Pyros. The stadium is covered by an extensive CCTV system and fans will be monitored at all times. Food and drink is NOT permitted to be brought into the stadium, though it will be available within the stadium.

Away fans may be asked to remain in the stadium after the game. This may take 20-40 minutes. The Metro normally runs until 1am, and will be running at the end of the game from the station until all of the fans have left the stadium.

No alcohol is allowed at games in Russia and none will be sold in the stadium. It is also forbidden in Russia to drink in public places, so fans are advised not to carry alcohol to the ground.

Tips

As in any other city beware of pickpockets and bag snatchers at the airport, railway stations, around the city centre, at tourist attractions and when using public transport – only carry what you need and leave spare cash and valuables in hotel safety deposits.

The centre of St Petersburg has lots of bars and restaurants, many of whom will have English speaking staff. Typically, younger Russians are more likely to be fluent in English. Nevsky prospect is the central street with shops, bars, and restaurants.