The 'I'll be there' thread. Travelling fans - plans, experiences and tips

[endtime]

I was walking to work at 8AM today and still some Irish guys weren't finished partying. There were several sitting outside a pub, with a desperate owner trying to get them to leave so he could go home (they ignored him), and saying "morning" to every passerby.

[chris79]

Quite fired up for my trip now Flying to Kiev via Venice so just realised I will be in Italy on Thursday when they play their second game against Croatia :thup:

Hopefully somewhere at the airport to catch the game

How was your trip? Did you decide to stay a bit longer after all?

[Rob1981]

Nah, came back on Sunday night. I am over again this weekend *if* England get through.

Good trip, no racialists anywhere Ukrainian group literally mobbed me and my mate in the fan park and made us drink their weird rum before we could leave them and gave us a scarf

[chris79]

From what I heard it is vodka mostly there, strange. No dried fish to accompany it?

[Rob1981]

Nah, came back on Sunday night. I am over again this weekend *if* England get through.

Looks like I am over again

[roooonaldooo]

I know this is late but would their be any chance i could get tickets for the knockout rounds now? And flights going over?

[Rob1981]

Have a look on the official UEFA website, I've had an email from them this morning saying there are tickets available.

You might have to register an account to see what's available.

As for travel - are you looking at the England game? or one of the others?

[roooonaldooo]

Have a look on the official UEFA website, I've had an email from them this morning saying there are tickets available.

You might have to register an account to see what's available.

As for travel - are you looking at the England game? or one of the others?

Cheers. Just looked and there are still tickets left for the England game.

Yeah it would be just the England game. Looks like the day packages are sold out. :/

[Rob1981]

Where have you tried?

Look at:

Thomas Cook

Thomson Sport

England Fans Travel

Sport Options

Or you can fly yourself to Kiev obv. Much easier than Donetsk would have been! Look at indirect routes if you've got the time as they will be a lot cheaper.

[chris79]

I just checked flights from Wroclaw on Sunday and the cheapest was just above 2000 euro one way But it was a quick search and I am sure if I looked at other airports (Berlin, Poznan etc) I could find something cheaper. So I guess you could find something, just buy the tickets for the game asap (you can resell them later at a small loss I think).

Anyway, I saw an advert - tickets for this game (cat.3), no price was mentioned, but it included transport (partly bus and partly plane) and accommodation in a flat in Kiev. The thing is, it is from Wroclaw.

[Rob1981]

And flights going over?

Any luck then? Hope you find something.

[Niebiescy]

Don't waste your time with packages. They're a rip off aimed at scared tourists who aren't confident enough to find their own accommodation. If you seriously want to go then buy a ticket and a flight. You can find somewhere to stay in Kiev for £20 a night if you are on a budget. Just look at places outside the city centre. Metro network there is great so doesn't matter if you are a little out. Will saves loads of cash. Best way to find somewhere to stay is by going on Google Maps and clicking on every hotel listed on the map. Helps you find the ones that don't have English language websites that usually have the best deals. Ukraine is seriously cheap so don't worry about costs when you get out there. If you can find a good flight then go it. Flights should be the expensive part. Nothing else should cost much. If you're hardcore and really want to save money you can take an overnight bus/train from Krakow which should be much cheaper to fly to on EasyJet. There's also a direct overnight train from Warsaw. Believe RyanAir also fly is Rzeszow which is also near the Ukrainian border and an overnight trip away from Kiev by train/bus.

[Niebiescy]

Just found this place for you if you're interested in going to Kiev. http://ecotel.in.ua/en/rooms According to XE.com the cheapest room is £18.90 per night. Looks pretty good for the money tbh.

[Niebiescy]

Had a look at some other places cos I'm actually quite interested in visiting Ukraine. Here's another hotel outside of the centre with good prices. just under £40 a night for a double room. Two single beds. So £20 each if you're going with a mate. Could be perfect for lads going to the Euros. http://siesta-hotel.com.ua/catalog

[outlander]

Surprisingly, today at work there appeared 4 free full package tickets for tomorrows game and I happily agreed to take one of them(out of 15 people only 2 more girls also took them, so one is lost I think).

So, the main question for me for those who are in Warsaw now, what's the situation now between Russian and Polish fans? I definitely plan to wear a Russian scarf at least. I'm sure there can't be anything more than some altercation or a small fight.

But, as I will be with girls-colleagues I'd like to escape even this. So, should it be ok if I wear this scarf(with United shirt I think) and refrain myself from being provocative or is it better not to wear it on the streets?

[Machetero]

Had a look at some other places cos I'm actually quite interested in visiting Ukraine. Here's another hotel outside of the centre with good prices. just under £40 a night for a double room. Two single beds. So £20 each if you're going with a mate. Could be perfect for lads going to the Euros. http://siesta-hotel.com.ua/catalog

This one is about 10km further away from center than the previous one and no tube station nearby.

The best option is travel in groups and rent a +- nice flat close to the centre.

Cheers,

Ivan

[Niebiescy]

Surprisingly, today at work there appeared 4 free full package tickets for tomorrows game and I happily agreed to take one of them(out of 15 people only 2 more girls also took them, so one is lost I think).

So, the main question for me for those who are in Warsaw now, what's the situation now between Russian and Polish fans? I definitely plan to wear a Russian scarf at least. I'm sure there can't be anything more than some altercation or a small fight.

But, as I will be with girls-colleagues I'd like to escape even this. So, should it be ok if I wear this scarf(with United shirt I think) and refrain myself from being provocative or is it better not to wear it on the streets?

There won't be any problems. Before it was nationalists fighting each other and they'd traveled just for this. Nationalists on both sides have no interest in attacking normal people, especially those with women. You'll be safe.

[chris79]

Surprisingly, today at work there appeared 4 free full package tickets for tomorrows game and I happily agreed to take one of them(out of 15 people only 2 more girls also took them, so one is lost I think).

So, the main question for me for those who are in Warsaw now, what's the situation now between Russian and Polish fans? I definitely plan to wear a Russian scarf at least. I'm sure there can't be anything more than some altercation or a small fight.

But, as I will be with girls-colleagues I'd like to escape even this. So, should it be ok if I wear this scarf(with United shirt I think) and refrain myself from being provocative or is it better not to wear it on the streets?

Based on what was going on in Wroclaw before Czech - Russia game you should only worry about stadium stewards (but only if you try to throw a flare on the pitch) and fellow Russians, if they get too drunk These were IIRC two only incidents that happened then.

Of course Poland was in the tournament at the time, so there were a lot of enthusiastic Polish fans, greeting the Russians and Czechs, taking photos toghether so on, and I would expect much less interest from the locals in the game or visitors in general.

[outlander]

Thanks, that's great. My personal experience after talking and drinking with my Polish colleagues several times in Europe was fantastic. And I, certainly, don't want to get into any troubles with normal Polish citizens. I'd better have a drink with them

Yeah, I'm possibly more likely to have problems with some Russian fans if I wear my club fan top

I should also have a few free hours on Friday. Can you, please, tell me what's worth it to visit in Warsaw? And, I'd be even more interested to buy some attributes of the local team. Who are better, Legia or Polonia?

If, someone can tell me if and where can I buy it, I'd be very grateful.

[Niebiescy]

Thanks, that's great. My personal experience after talking and drinking with my Polish colleagues several times in Europe was fantastic. And I, certainly, don't want to get into any troubles with normal Polish citizens. I'd better have a drink with them

Yeah, I'm possibly more likely to have problems with some Russian fans if I wear my club fan top

I should also have a few free hours on Friday. Can you, please, tell me what's worth it to visit in Warsaw? And, I'd be even more interested to buy some attributes of the local team. Who are better, Legia or Polonia?

If, someone can tell me if and where can I buy it, I'd be very grateful.

Legia are the club supported by the people of Warsaw while Polonia are small but have a rich owner. Would buy something from Legia if you want a souvenir. Don't know the shops in Warsaw well so can't advise you on where to buy, but imagine there will be shirts in sports shops.

Warsaw isn't the most beautiful town in Poland but the centre has been rebuild since WWII where it was bombed and is worth a walk around. Would recommend going into the fan zones, meeting people and soaking up the atmosphere of the tournament rather than looking for tourist attractions. Could suggest some museums but there are probably better things to do with so many visitors and the city not being so great for sightseeing.

If you want to see the city then go for a walking tour. Plenty of companies offering them and you'll spot them when in the centre. They're the best way to see everything because the area isn't too big and the guide will make sure you don't miss things that you could miss on your own. Might sound like a strange suggestion about our capital city but it really isn't that great a place to visit. For beauty the tri-city area or Krakow would be a far better destination but of course you're there for the football so should just focus on enjoying the game and the atmosphere around the Euros

[Rob1981]

Starting to get emails and package prices about the potential England semi final in Warsaw. Really don't know if I could justify a third trip over, but I know I will regret it later if I don't go

[chris79]

Starting to get emails and package prices about the potential England semi final in Warsaw. Really don't know if I could justify a third trip over, but I know I will regret it later if I don't go

You probably won't have this problem so don't keep your mind occupied with it

Outlander -I haven't been to Warsaw for a long time and buying Legia or Polonia souvenirs would never even cross my mind, so can't help you much, but maybe official Legia site has some info. Legia is both the most hated and the most supported Polish club, especially outside Warsaw so it shouldn't be hard to buy something there. Oh, and Polonia fan would say Legia is supported by the population that migrated to Warsaw from the province, while true Warsawians (is that such a word?) support Polonia

I don't think we or anyone can assure you of total safety there, anything can really happen to anyone anywhere. But surely it is not like there are bands of hooligans just waiting for another battle against Russians. Also, as I said the atmosphere has changed drastically this week, I was in Wroclaw centre a few times and it is different, the fanzone is not so busy and much more quiet, some say during matches it is like a cinema. I guess it is normal for any tournament when home side is eliminated. Plus I saw many more Slask Wroclaw fans wearing club colours but I wouldn't say this means Russians or other foreigners are in danger.

[Didier]

Deffo going to try for 2016, although I imagine demand will be fairly huge with it being in France.