Ukrainian Law Blog: Ukraine vs Wales: travel advice

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First published:

21 March 2016

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Advice for fans travelling to Kyiv for the friendly match between Ukraine and Wales on Monday 28 March.

‘Be On The Ball’ when travelling to watch football abroad. Our advice and guidance is designed to help you have an enjoyable and hassle-free time.

As well as this, check out our general travel advice for Ukraine.

You don’t need a visa to enter Ukraine for less than 3 months, but your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay.
Remember your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) but also take out travel insurance, even if you’re only going for one night - it could save you a lot of money if you get into difficulties.
You should carry your passport with you for identification purposes.
Always take care of your passport, as getting a replacement is costly and time-consuming. Make sure next of kin details are kept up to date and keep a photocopy separately from the original document, this will help speed up the replacement process if needed.
If you lose your passport, you’ll need to get an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) from the British Embassy in Kyiv. The service is available within the Embassy working hours.

The Olimpiyskiy stadium is located on 55 Velyka Vasylkivska street in central Kyiv, about 2 km from Maydan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square), 3 km from the central railway station, 7 km from Kyiv (Zhulyany) airport and 30 km from Boryspil airport.
It can take around 20 minutes to walk to the stadium from the city centre or you may take a metro. The metro could be overcrowded during peak hours.
Olimpiiska and Palats Sportu metro stations will be closed on 28 March before and after the match. It’s possible to use other nearby stations: Ploshcha Lva Tolstogo, Klovska, Palats Ukrayina.
You can find more information on how to get to the stadium on thestadium website
Information on how to get from Boryspil airport to the city and from Kyiv city airport (Zhulyany) to the city centre

The nearest entrance to the away fans’ sector in the stadium is West Gate 4-5 (zone A on the stadium map).
Access to the stadium can be slow - there will be ticket checks and body searches; to avoid missing the start of the match get to the stadium early – doors will open 2 hours before kick-off.
No fireworks, smoke bombs, poles for flags are allowed to be brought into the ground (see Rules of conduct at the stadium).
Alcohol is banned within the stadium, police and security staff have the authority to deny entry into the stadium to supporters under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Don’t smoke at the stadium.
Food outlets and toilets will be available at the rear of the seating area and segregated from the home fans
Items should be paid for by cash in the local currency UAH (hryvnya).
Obey instructions from the stadium security to avoid being removed from the stadium and detained by the police.
Visiting supporters will be kept behind for around 15-20 minutes after the match to allow the home fans to leave.

Most trips to Ukraine are trouble free, however there have been cases of violent attacks on foreign nationals in Kyiv, so take extra care.
Be aware of the current political situation (in particular the tension between Ukraine and Russia) and avoid any action or chanting that could provoke a hostile reaction from home fans.
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 and keep valuables and cash out of sight or in hotel safety deposits.
Be wary of accepting drinks in bars from strangers or people you’ve just met in case they have been spiked
Drink bottled water; this is readily available from the local shops and hotels.
Smoking is prohibited in public places; this includes bars, bus stops, subways, the metro, playgrounds, parks and the stadium itself.
Drinking alcohol is prohibited in public places (except in bars and restaurants).
Don’t get involved with drugs - the penalties are severe.

For more information on safety and security visit our travel advice page