Seven tips to plan your trip to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia

The 2018 FIFA World Cup has almost arrived! If you’re planning on traveling to Russia for the incredible experience of seeing the festivities first-hand, then it’s time to finalize the details of your trip so that you can focus on enjoying your journey.

Here at BNESIM, we specialize in helping travelers make their experience abroad more convenient and affordable, so we have a few suggestions to offer. Here are seven tips that you should keep in mind before you head to the airport or train station:

1. You don’t need a travel visa
A Fan ID will give international travelers a visa-free entry to Russia, so long as they have purchased have 2018 FIFA World Cup match tickets. After obtaining one, you will be able to stay in Russia for ten days before the match begins and ten days after the last game ends. A FAN ID is also required to leave Russia once it had been used for visa-free entry purposes.

2. The weather can be harsh
In the US, the EU, and many other parts of the world, June weather calls for the lightest of attire. However, before packing nothing but shorts and T-Shirts, you may want to keep in mind that in Moscow, June weather averages between 12° and 20° Fahrenheit — and other Russian cities can be even colder. So while you certainly won’t need your winter coat, it may not be a bad idea to bring spring/fall clothes.

3. Get free transport between host cities
Russia is offering free transportation between host cities to fans during the world cup. To utilize this, there are a few things you need to do.

Firstly, you will need your Fan ID (which means you need a ticket), then you need to register at the official website. To do this, you will need to enter your ticket or application number, your Fan ID, the date and time of the match you are attending, and the host city in which the game is played.

Secondly, you will need to book train routes and train seats (the website linked above will give you suggestions based on the games you are attending).

4. Bring an adapter for your electronics
Charging electronics in Russia may be a challenge for non-EU residents, for two reasons. First of all, Russia uses two round EU outlet plugs — which differ from many other types of plugs across the world. Secondly (though slightly less importantly) Russia uses 220-volt electricity, which is double that of the US and some other countries. However, because most devices are equipped to handle both 110 and 200 volts, this is unlikely to have such a widespread effect.

The simplest way to prepare is to buy an EU adapter before traveling, as these devices are available in many electronics stores around the world. If you wait until after you travel, such adapters are likely to be widely available in Russia during the World Cup, but at a significant markup.

5. Be aware of time zone differences

For anyone taking advantage of the aforementioned free travel between host cities, it is important to note that there are significant time differences between the regions of Russia. (Which is to be expected in a country that is 9000 kilometers wide) Here’s a quick breakdown of the timezones in the various host cities:
+2 GMT: Kaliningrad
+3 GMT: Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kazan, Sochi, Volgograd, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-On-Don, Saransk
+4 GMT: Samara
+5 GMT: Yekaterinburg

6. Exchange your currency ASAP

Because airport currency exchanges usually charge exorbitant fees, it’s best to exchange currency at a bank. Depending on where you live, there’s a good chance that your local bank might not have Russian Rubles on hand, which means you will need to request them in advance. The sooner you begin the process, the smaller the chances that you will be required to pay an extra fee for this service.

7. BNESIM can help you save on data and international calls

Before traveling abroad, it’s essential to ensure that you have a reliable way of staying connected with your friends, family, and professional contacts. International roaming is one way of achieving this. However, the fees tend to be quite expensive, and the service isn’t always spectacular. Purchasing a local SIM is another common solution that many travelers count on — but between limited data, difficult-to-predict store hours, and the language barrier, this isn’t ideal, either. That’s why we created BNESIM Surf Russia Unlimited, the international SIM card for 2018 FIFA World Cup. An international calling, SMS, and data solution with self-service reloads and unlimited top-ups. Want to learn more? Visit BNE SIM online today to learn more about our pricing plans!