Advice for fans travelling to Moscow

Travel advice and information for fans making the trip to Moscow for our Champions’ League group match against CSKA Moscow on Tuesday night.

Before you travel to Russia, please 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. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of six months after the expiry of your visa.

Please note, for additional personal security, it is suggested that you do not show your football colours until you are inside the stadium. Whilst flags and banners are welcome at the stadium, we recommend that they are not openly shown in the city centre.

TRANSPORT

Fans should use the Aeroexpress train to get from any of the main airports to the city centre as the Metro does not go to the airport.

The Aeroexpress is clearly signposted in the terminal and tickets are available from self-service ticket machines in English or from English speaking kiosks. The trains leave approximately every 30 minutes and the journey takes 45 minutes. The website and timetable in English can be found here https://aeroexpress.ru/en/.

If flying British Airways, you will land at Domodedovo Airport and the Aeroexpress will take you to Pavletskiy Station. From here, the dark green metro line 2 can take you to the centre of town.

For those flying Aeroflot or Air Baltic, you will arrive at Sheremetyevo Airport. Again, the Aeroexpress can take you to Belorusskiy station, from which you can take dark green line 2 to the centre.

Please be aware that official looking taxis can be unlicensed. Do not 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, or ask for a phone number for a licensed taxi company.  You should also agree the fare before getting into the taxi.

SAFETY & SECURITY

There are many restaurants and cafes where tourists are welcome. Red Square and the Kremlin are two of the most iconic sites in Moscow and are visited by many tourists each year. However, you should take care and avoid openly carrying expensive items that might easily identify you as a tourist or football fan. You should always avoid walking alone at night, leave all valuables in the hotel safe and be aware of pickpockets in crowded places.

As always, we will have a team of Club stewards and senior officials in the city from Monday evening through to matchday, who can be contacted via our dedicated Supporters Travel Phone on +44 7971 880445 should you experience any issues.

It is recommended that you avoid displaying football colours, flags or banners until you are inside the stadium.

LOCAL INFORMATION

The local currency is the Russian Rouble and we suggest that you obtain this via your departing airport, banks or your hotel. If you are planning to exchange currency once you arrive in Moscow, please take either US Dollars or Euros. For information, traveller’s cheques are not widely accepted but most hotels, restaurants and larger shops will accept major credit cards.

We have been advised that you must carry your original passport with you at all times, together with the immigration slip you will receive on arrival at Passport Control. Take a copy of the passport photo page and visa to leave at your hotel, and take a photo of the immigration slip to be safe.

STADIUM

Arena CSKA is a brand new stadium, which opened in early September. Visiting fans are located in the upper tier of the South Stand, in sections 515 and 516.  Entry is via street level at Gate S.

You will need to show your passport and letter confirming that you have a ticket to collect.

Searching is conducted by police officers and THFC personnel will be present at this point to assist. Once through the first entry, you should proceed to the next level via a ramp, which will take you to the ticket collection point. Again, THFC personnel will be on hand to assist.

Once you have collected your ticket, you should proceed to the upper level where there are catering and welfare facilities available for your use. Our section is completely segregated and only THFC fans will be allowed to enter. Each seat has an allocated number and whilst the view is excellent, there is netting to the front of the stand to prevent items being thrown to or from the section. There are 86 steps between the second and third level and fans should take their time at this point - there is no lift available. The stadium will open two hours before kick-off.

In terms of travelling to the stadium, the Metro station closest is Sokol (СОКОЛ), which is on the dark green line 2 - Zamoskvoretskaya/Замоскворецкая. It is approximately a 15 minute walk to the stadium from Sokol station.

Tickets will NOT be available on the day/night of the game and will ONLY be issued to supporters presenting their passport and confirmation letter.

The usual prohibited items apply, but you are welcome to display your flags and banners on the unused seats. As always, please note that it is common policy and normal ground rules at football stadiums in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, that flags of an overtly religious/sectarian/political nature will not be permitted and may be confiscated, please respect this request.

Please note that this Stadium is a NO SMOKING venue.

THFC personnel will be on hand to assist you if required and any large bags can be stored until after the match - please see a THFC steward if you require this facility.

Fans wishing to leave before the final whistle can do so up to 85 minutes. After the final whistle, you will be requested to remain in the stadium for around 20 minutes and we have been advised that welfare facilities will be available for your use during the hold back. Please listen for any announcements that may affect you on the night and be aware that the police will only authorise the opening of the gates once the immediate area is clear of home fans.

Please ensure your travel insurance is up to date and inclusive of visits to Russia. If you are unsure, please check with your provider before travelling. European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) are not valid in Russia.

The Club is rightly proud of the good behaviour of our fans during previous European travels and we would ask that you uphold this and remember that you are an Ambassador for the Club and therefore we would respectfully request that you behave accordingly throughout the entirety of your stay.

Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) - travel advice

Please familiarise yourself with the latest safety and security advice from the FCO regarding visits to Russia by CLICKING HERE...

Contact numbers

THFC Supporters Travel Phone: +44 7971 880445
Emergency Services: 112
British Embassy in Moscow: +7 495 956 7200 (also for out of hours emergencies)