World news story: FIFA Confederation Cup Travel Advice

Advice for fans travelling to Russia for the FIFA Confederations Cup, which takes place from Saturday 17 June to Sunday 2 July.

Venues

The FIFA Confederations Cup takes place in four host cities, with eight participating nations. The venues are as follows:

Fisht Stadium, Sochi
Kazan Arena, Kazan
Spartak Stadium, Moscow (also known as Otkrytiye Arena)
St Petersburg Stadium (also known as Krestovsky Stadium)

Passports and visas

FAN ID

For both the FIFA 2017 Confederations Cup and FIFA 2018 World Cup, the Russian Government has introduced a visa substitute system known as FAN ID. Instead of a visa, all match ticket holders require a FAN ID in order to enter and exit Russia, as well as to access stadia, and apply for free train travel on selected trains during the tournament.

If you have bought an official match ticket from the FIFA website, then you also need to apply for a FAN ID. The FAN ID replaces the need for a separate visa, and must be applied for before you travel to Russia. Fans are encouraged to apply for their FAN ID as soon as possible.

In order to obtain a FAN ID, you should complete an application form on the following website. Make sure that you complete the fields with your personal data as it is in your passport. This link also provides the guidance on how to use FAN ID. If you are applying from within Russia, you still need to apply for a FAN ID as access to stadia will be dependent on having both a match ticket and a FAN ID.

A valid FAN ID constitutes a multiple entry and exit visa to and from the Russian Federation for the period starting from the 7th June 2017 until the 12th July 2017.

You should allow yourself plenty of time if you request for a hard copy of the FAN ID to be sent to an address outside of Russia. It is possible to enter Russia on an electronic copy of your FAN ID. However, you will need to exchange this for a hard copy of your FAN ID at one of the nine FAN ID distribution centres located at the four Confederation Cup cities.

On arrival and departure, you should show both your passport and your FAN ID upon request. You should make sure that you take both FAN ID and match ticket with you when you go to the match. Without both of these, you will not be allowed to enter the stadium.

Transport

Holders of valid match tickets and FAN ID are entitled to travel free on selected trains between Confederation Cup cities. In order to travel free, you need to register on the website. On this website, you will be asked to provide your personal details, including ticket number and FAN ID number. Train tickets are issued on a “first come, first served” basis. Take a note of what time your train leaves and arrives in respective cities.
Free public transportation (excluding taxi) will be available to Fan-ID holders in the cities hosting the Confederation Cup on the days of matches along the routes of the sports events. The exact routes will be determined by the local authorities.
You should make transport plans in advance of travelling to Russia. Like other major tournaments, there will be an increased demand on flights so you are encouraged to book early. As part of increased security measures, access to areas around key Confederations Cup locations, such as stadia, will be controlled. You are encouraged to use public transport to get access to these locations. No private vehicles will be allowed near the stadium. There will be limited number of public parking spaces close to stadia for persons in exceptional cases – for example, if a ticket holder has informed the organising authorities in advance of a pre-existing mobility issue that they have.

Lost or stolen FAN ID

If your FAN ID has been lost or stolen, you can obtain a duplicate from one of the FAN ID distribution centres, located in each of the four host cities. Make sure that you obtain a replacement FAN ID before you try to board an internal flight or train to avoid delay.

If you lose your FAN ID when you are leaving Russia, you will need to obtain a duplicate of a FAN ID from a distribution centre. You will also be able to obtain a duplicate at the arrival and departure areas of the following international airports:

• Sheremetyevo (Moscow) – Шереметьево
• Domodedovo (Moscow) – Домодедово
• Vnukovo (Moscow) – Внуково
• Kazan airport (Kazan) – Казань
• Pulkovo (Saint Petersburg) – Пулково
• Sochi airport (Adler/Sochi) – Сочи/Адлер

If your FAN ID has a technical error, it is also possible to replace it at one of the distribution centres.

If your FAN ID has not arrived by the time of your departure to Russia

If you have are concerned that your FAN ID will not arrive in time, it is possible to apply for a FAN ID in electronic form. This will enable you to enter Russia. However, an electronic ID does not;

• Allow you to enter a stadium;
• Allow access to free transport;
• Allow exit from Russia.

Persons travelling on an electronic FAN ID will need to attend one of the FAN ID distribution centres in order to collect a hard copy of your FAN ID. Please make sure that you have your passport with you.

Visa information for fans that do not have a match ticket

If you have not purchased an official ticket in advance of your trip, you will need a visa to enter the Russian Federation. 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. If you need a visa extension, you should ask about this before your visa expires.

Passports

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months after the expiry date of your visa . This also applies to those travelling on FAN ID.

Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid in the Russian Federation, 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 – you’ll need to carry your passport to the match to gain entry to the stadium. 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 electronically at passport control in the major 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. This procedure also applies to those travelling on FAN ID.

If you lose your passport, you’ll need to get an Emergency Travel Document from the British Embassy in Moscow or the British Consulate General in St Petersburg between 09:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday. You’ll need to supply a passport photo, flight reservation details and a police report (if your passport is stolen). The fee for an Emergency Travel Document is 100 pounds.

Getting to Russia from the UK

There are regular scheduled flights between Moscow/St Petersburg and London. Fans who wish to fly to either Kazan or Sochi from the UK will need to change in Moscow or St Petersburg

If you are flying British Airways, you will land at either Moscow Domodedovo or Saint Petersburg Pulkovo. Aeroflot fly from both London Heathrow and London Gatwick, with flights arriving at Moscow Shermetyevo airport. Leave yourself plenty of time if you need to change airports. Connecting flights between Moscow, St Petersburg, Sochi, and Kazan run several times a day. Demand will be higher because of the tournament, so you are encouraged to book your flights or trains in advance .

Security procedures and checks

Between 1 June 2017 – 4 July 2017, stadia and other venues associated with FIFA Confederations Cup will be protected by enhanced security measures. This may include limits on traffic movements in these cities, restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcohol in glass containers within the vicinity of venues, and additional security checks when entering stadia.

You should allow yourself plenty of time to get to the ground, and to go through security checks and searches. Stadia will generally open three hours before kick-off. You should expect to pass through two screening areas, which will include metal detectors. You are strongly encouraged not to bring bags with you into the stadium – these will likely be taken from you, to be collected at the end of the match.

In addition to items which would usually be prohibited in the UK, the following restrictions may apply at stadia: large amounts of loose change and lighters may be confiscated and are unlikely to be returned; no bottles or cans are allowed in the ground and alcohol is banned within the stadium.

When a match is finished, fans are likely to exit the stadium on a phased release for the purpose of crowd control and security.

Registration and accommodation

All visiting fans are required to register in every city they visit within 24 hours of their arrival. The registration is normally done by a hotel or guest house. However, it is your responsibility to ensure that this has been done. You should therefore book accommodation in advance, and check that your hotel has registered your stay.

Tips

As in any other city beware of pickpockets and bag snatchers at airports, railway stations, around the town centre and when using public transport – only carry what you need and leave spare cash and valuables in hotel safety deposits.
Official looking taxis can be unlicensed. Don’t share a taxi with strangers or flag down what may appear to be an official taxi. Where possible 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. According to Russia law, children under 12 must always ride in child safety seats or special booster seats in any car, including a taxi. The fine for breaking this law is 3,000 rubles (approximately £40). Other laws applicable to taxi passengers include fastening seatbelts, and exiting a car only once it has come to a full stop. Some taxi companies prohibit passenger smoking.

During the tournament in the host cities, the sale of alcohol at events associated with the tournament will be banned. Alcohol will not be available at the stadia during matches. The sale and consumption of alcohol in glass containers will be banned on the evening and the day of matches in certain locations in host cities. The sale of alcohol from shops is forbidden from 11pm to 8am in Moscow and from 10pm to 11am in St Petersburg.

More than 5,500 volunteers will take part in the matches of the FIFA Confederations Cup, many of whom will be on hand to assist visitors.

As well as this advice, check out the Foreign Office Travel Advice for Russia for other practical information on your visit to Russia.

Match schedules can be found on the official FIFA website.

Contact the British Embassy in Moscow

British Embassy Moscow

Smolenskaya Naberezhnaya 10

121099 Moscow Russia

Telephone number + 7 495 956 7200 (also for out of hours emergencies)

Office hours: Monday to Friday 9 am to 5pm

For more information, please visit British Embassy Moscow website

Emergency services number 112

Contact the British Consulate General in St Petersburg

British Consulate General in St Petersburg

5 Pl. Proletarskoy Diktatury

St Petersburg 191124

Russia

Telephone number +7 812 3203200 (also for out of hours emergencies).

Emergency services number

To call a public ambulance, dial 103 from any mobile phone, 03 from any landline, or 112 for emergency services.

Useful phrases

• 1 – [odin]

• 2- [dva]

• 3 – [tri]

• Thank you – Спасибо! – [spasiba]

• Hello – Здравствуйте! – [zdrastvuite]

• Bye – До свидания! – [da svidania]

• Please – Пожалуйста – [pazhalusta]

• What is your name? Как вас зовут? – [Kak vas zovut?]

• My name is… – Меня зовут … – [Menya zovut …]

• Entrance – exit вход/выход [vkhod/vykhod]

• Please help me – Пожалуйста, помогите мне [Pazhalusta pomogite mne]

• Bus – Автобус [avtobus]

• Train – Поезд [poezd]

• Metro – Метро -[metro]

• Police – Полиция [politsiya]

• I don’t speak Russian – Я не говорю по-русски [Ya ne govoryu po-russki]

• Do you speak English? – Вы говорите по-английски? [Vy govorite po-angliyski?]

• What is your Wi-Fi password? – Какой у вас пароль от Wi-Fi? [Kakoy u vas parol ot vay-fai?]

Further information

https://www.fan-id.ru/index.html – information on how to apply for a FAN ID

http://welcome2018.com/en/– tourist and practical information for visitors for both the FIFA World Cup and FIFA Confederations Cup. Includes individual city guides for each of the host cities.

http://welcome2018.com/en/fan_guide/ – a guide for fans travelling to the tournament – providing recommendations, guidance, and top tips for enjoying your time in Russia

http://www.transport2018.com – information on how to apply for free train travel for official match ticket holders

http://welcome2018.com/en/fan_guide/transport-v-gorodakh-kk-2017/kak-dobratsya-do-gorodov-organizatorov – detailed guide on how to get to each of the four host cities

http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/organisation/ticketing/index.html – information on the Confederations Cup, including how to purchase tickets.

https://www.visitrussia.org.uk – general tourist information

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/russia – general tourist information

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/russia – UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice for British nationals going to Russia