the gameplan: your seven-point prep list for 2018 fifa ... · the gameplan: your seven-point prep...
TRANSCRIPT
May 09, 2018 08:33 GMT
The Gameplan: Your seven-point prep listfor 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
They say that football is an art. So is traveling to the biggest nation on theplanet during the world’s largest single-event sporting competition.
More than three million football fans will descend on 11 cities between 14June to 15 July.
Hotel rooms will be scarce, prices will go up, and – as with any majorinternational event – the onslaught will make traveling more complex thanusual.
Add to that, a concern among some travelers about the impact of diplomaticrelations on their visit. While it’s true that political relations with certaincountries are about as warm as January in the Russian village of Oymakyon(the coldest inhabited place on earth), most Russians are like anyone else:Happy to leave politics to the politicians. The average visitor can expect ahero’s welcome at the global mega-event.
But first, swot up on these tips and score a hat-trick on security, legal, andcultural know-how. Whether you’re visiting as a business traveler, a fan - orboth - you’re bound to have a fun experience.
1. Get your docs in a row: Check that your passport is valid for a minimum ofsix months after the expiry date of your visa or FAN-ID, and keep scannedcopies of your passport and travel documents in the Cloud, in case you loseyour belongings.
Visa requirements for the World Cup are different from standard tourist andbusiness visas. For more information, visit the Fan ID page.
Keep your passport with you at all times, and hold onto your immigrationcard. You’ll need it to leave the country.
2. Make sure to register: Hotels and guest houses will register you uponarrival, but make sure to check. Absolutely all foreign citizens must beregistered within 24 hours of entering the country, effective until 25 July.
If you are staying somewhere residential, check that your host is prepared toregister you at the local office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. You will notbe able to register anywhere else. Bring along a photocopy of your passportand visa, or FAN ID.
You must register in each new city that you visit, and make sure to check forthe latest updates.
3. Planes, trains, and automobiles: If you haven’t already booked, you willneed to get creative to circumvent the mass movement of fans, organizersand teams.
If possible, arrive a day early. If you’re having trouble getting a flight, try analternative airport with high-speed train access. For example, you could flyinto Krasnodar and get a six-hour train ride to the host cities of Sochi andRostov-on-Don. Also, consider lesser-known airlines, such as Utair, UralAirlines and S7.
The rail network is mostly reliable in Russia, particularly between major citiessuch as Moscow-St. Petersburg, Moscow -Nizhny Novgorod, and Krasnodar-Sochi.
Russian Railways begin ticket sales 90 days before the date of the trip, but beaware that train staff are unlikely to speak English. You can show your matchticket, at their ticket office, to travel to the next city for free.
Car rental companies and taxi services are well-developed in Russia, andpublic transport is free to all spectators carrying a FAN ID.
Uber works in 16 cities here, too.
4. Travel between matches: Go between games for a higher likelihood ofgetting plane and train tickets. Use the match schedule to find dates duringwhich to avoid the crowds. (hyperlink matchschedule:http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/index.html)
5. Pack smart: Make sure that the contents of your suitcase won’t get you introuble. Certain medicines, such as those containing codeine and barbituratesrequire a doctor’s note.
If you’re going to buy antiques like icons, samovars and rugs, get a certificatefrom the Russian Ministry of Culture.
When it comes to non-prescription drugs, just say nyet. And, don’t buy vodkafrom anywhere other than a major supermarket. Anti-freeze kills.
6. Stay safe: In addition to the usual precautions like keeping your doorslocked, and cash out of sight, take extra care during the World Cup.
Foreigners are more likely to be the target of airport scams, petty crime, andcredit card fraud.
Only change money at banks, hotels and recognized exchange services, anddon’t pay for anything using foreign currency. It’s illegal. You could get inrouble-y big trouble.
Be careful where you snap your selfies. Certain military buildings, and evenairports, are off-limits for photography.
Finally, equip yourself with the numbers you might need ahead of time. If youneed an ambulance, dial 103. The number for emergencies is 112.
7. Protect yourself online: Avoid making yourself the target of identity theftor fraud by equipping your devices with the latest security updates andtracking apps. Turn off file sharing and avoid using public WiFi, especially toaccess online banking.
Regardless whether your hand luggage contains presentations in yourcompany colors, or face paint in your team colors, you won’t regret being inRussia during this historic event.
Blog Author: Marc Redfern, Director Global Partners Network, Europe and CentralAsia
CWT
CWT is a Business-to-Business-for-Employees (B2B4E) travel managementplatform. Companies and governments rely on us to keep their peopleconnected – anywhere, anytime, anyhow – and across six continents, weprovide their employees with innovative technology and an efficient, safe andsecure travel experience. Every single day, we look after enough travelers tofill more than 100,000 hotel rooms, while our meetings and events divisionhandles more than 100 events every 24 hours.
