News story
Rubin Kazan vs Wigan Athletic
Advice for fans travelling to Russia for Wigan Athletic’s match with Rubin Kazan on 07 November 2013.
Football kick
Date: 7th November 2013
Venue: Central Stadium (Kazan), Kazan, Russia
Kick off time: 21:00 (local time)
As well as this advice, check out our travel advice for Russia
Passports and visas
Please remember to check your passport and visa details:
- British citizens need a visa to travel to Russia, and your passport should be valid for a further three months after your Russian visa expiration date
- Your European Health Insurance Card is not valid in Russia, so travel/health insurance is essential, even if you’re only going for one night - it could save you a lot of money if you find yourself in difficulty
- It is essential you carry your passport with your Russian visa and migration/registration card with you at all times – in particular, you’ll need to carry your passport to the match to gain entry to the stadium
- The police conduct ID checks, and want to see original documentation
- If you lose your passport or have it stolen, you should report the loss to the local police as soon as possible in the first instance and obtain a police report or confirmation of loss from the police
- The British Embassy can then provide you with an emergency travel document and advise on how to obtain an exit visa so that you can leave Russia and return home
Getting to the stadium
Advice on getting to the stadium:
- Stadium website and info with map (in Russian)
- Public Transport: Tram 9; trolleybuses 1, 4
- Kazan metro operates from 0600 to 2300 trains run approximately every 5 minutes
- The nearest metro station to the stadium is Kremlyovskaya
- Trains: The nearest railway station to the stadium is Stantsiya Kazan, which is a short walk from the stadium
- Taxis: You should be aware when hailing a taxi in the street, that not all taxis are officially registered, you should ascertain the fare before getting into the taxi
- Where possible use taxis booked by your hotel
At the match
Advice for when you’re at the match:
- Access to the stadium can be slow
- There will be ticket checks and body searches at the entrance to the turnstiles
- To avoid a last minute bottleneck please try to get to the stadium early
- No bottles and cans are allowed to be brought into the ground and alcohol is banned within the stadium
- No sharp objects, lighters, fireworks, or objects that can be used as a weapon are allowed
- Flags and banners without poles are allowed subject to size and message content
- Musical instruments are permitted but checked at the entrance
- Smoking is allowed only in the “smoking areas”
- Standing during the game is allowed
General information for Kazan
Some helpful tips for the area:
- If you are a victim of crime or eye witness to a crime you should contact the Controlling office of the Ministry of the Internal Affairs (Police controlling office)
- Please dial +7 843 291-35-28 or +7 843 291-36-28 or 02 and wait for the duty officer’s answer
- The duty officer will transfer you to an English speaking police officer
- Clearly explain what happened and give as much detail as possible (the crime scene, description of the criminal and any distinguishing marks, was medical assistance required etc.)
- You should also wait for police officers at the place of call
- To obtain the ‘Spravka’ for lost or stolen passport you will need to contact the local police station in Kazan
- The nearest Police stations to the stadium are: Police station No 16 “Yapeevo” at Yapeeva Street 9, duty phone number +7 843 2214602 or Police station No 2 “Vishnevsky” at Tsentralnaya Street 64, duty phone number +7 843 2770408
- The Police Headquarters for Kazan is also not far from the stadium, at Karla Marksa Street 21, telephone +7 843 2914515
- Money exchange, if you wish to purchase roubles in Russia, you should take US dollars or Euros to change
- Only change money at banks, hotels and airport exchange bureaus
- The Russian Central Bank closed all other exchange bureaus on 1 October 2010
- It is an offence to change money from street traders. It is illegal to pay directly with dollars or Euros
- Money, major hotels accept payment by credit or debit cards. Although cash is the preferred method of payment in restaurants, bars shops, etc
- There are ATMs in all major cities which accept UK credit/debit cards
- There are also Western Union offices in Kazan, the offices nearest to the stadium are situated at:
8, Kremlyovskaya str
Opening hours:
Mon- Thur: 0900 – 1545 (Lunch 1230 – 1315)
Fri – Sat: 0900 – 1200
Tel: +7 (843) 264 67 95
18, Kremlyovskaya str
Opening hours:
Mon – Thur: 1000 – 1900
Sat – Sun: 1000 - 1700
Tel: +7 (843) 238 05 73
Hotels
The nearest hotels to the stadium are:
Language
The official language is Russian and you will find that English is not widely spoken. Staff in most major hotels and officials at the airports do speak some English.
Tips
Helpful tips for the local area:
- Tap water has to be boiled before drinking
- 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, leave spare cash and valuables in hotel safety deposits
- Pickpockets operate on the Metro and in tourist areas
- Acts of theft will be prosecuted rather than fined or deported
Minimise the risks
Some important information to note:
- Security at the Stadium will be strict and uncompromising – refrain from antagonising the police even if you believe you are in the right
- Carry your passport at all times
- The police conduct ID checks, and want to see originals
- Carry a note of the address of your hotel (in both English and Russian) – it can help people give you directions and ensure that taxi drivers know where you want to go
- Keep the number of valuables you carry to a minimum - passport, a credit card, your phone and some money - and ensure they are secure (not in back pockets)
- Change money at a bank, hotel, or in exchange kiosks – it is illegal to exchange money in the street
- Carry the contact number for your travel insurer at all times
- Carry the address and telephone number of the Embassy so you can call for help
- Leave a copy of your passport and other important documents safe in your hotel in case you lose the originals
- Don’t carry weapons of any sort – they will be confiscated and could get you arrested
Drink and drugs
Please be aware of the following:
- Be vigilant when drinking - pickpockets may operate in some bars
- Don’t leave drinks unattended – drink spiking is not uncommon
- Beware of strangers offering to buy drinks for you
- Don’t turn up drunk at the stadium – security will be tough and you will be refused entry
- Russia operates a zero tolerance policy on the possession and use of drugs, whether hard or soft
- Penalties are severe and can result in long jail sentences
Emergency services numbers
Useful numbers:
-
International emergency number (from your mobile): 112
-
Police: 02 (from Russian public phones only)
-
Ambulance: 03 (from Russian public phones only)
-
International SOS (Private, English-speaking ambulance): +7 495 937 5760
Relevant British Embassy address and telephone numbers
British Embassy in Moscow
10 Smolenskaya Naberezhnaya,
Moscow, Russia, 121099
- Embassy Switchboard: +7 495 956 7200
The nearest Metro to the Embassy is SMOLENSKAYA/СМОЛЕНСКАЯ (Light Blue line; Dark Blue line)
What the British Embassy can do
- If you lose your money or are robbed, the Embassy can help you transfer funds from friends or family in the UK, but cannot provide you with money in any circumstances
- If you lose your passport or have it stolen, the Embassy can provide you with an emergency travel document so that you can leave Russia and return home
- If you are detained or arrested in Moscow, insist on contacting the Embassy on 8 495 956 7200 (from within Moscow) or +7 495 956 7200 (if calling from a UK mobile)
- This number is available 24 hours a day
- Embassy staff can make sure you are being treated fairly, but if you have broken the law, they cannot arrange for you to be released from detention, nor can they pay fines. In the case of serious injury or illness, the Embassy can help you contact a member of your family and your travel insurance company
Published 23 October 2013