Hopeful Liverpool fans already booking flights to Moscow

Apr 10 2008 by Laura Sharpe, Liverpool Daily Post

Visas take eight to 10 working days, cost £45 and must be accompanied by an official tourism voucher

This voucher, supplied by Russian (British) travel agent or must be included in the application and be signed and stamped.

A Tourist Acceptance Confirmation, written in Russian from an authorised Russian travel agency or a hotel must also be included.

The Confirmation must contain the agency’s reference number and registration number.

More information at www.rusemblon.org/logon_en.htm or on 0207-499-10-29.

FLIGHTS aren’t available direct from Liverpool John Lennon, although operators including BMI, Lufthansa, Czech Airlines and Air France fly from Manchester and Leeds.

Flights currently available from Manchester to Moscow start from £250 return with BMI, but travel agents are warning the cost could triple on April 30 when the final line-up is decided. Expedia currently has flights for around £400 return from Manchester with Lufthansa going out on May 20 and returning May 22.

Czech Airlines offer £420 returns for the same date, and Air France £550.

BMI from Leeds Bradford on the May 20, returning May 23 currently has flights for £373.20.

Compared with a six-hour flight time, a train ticket from London across Europe currently comes in at £336, taking just under 73 hours.

Add either the cost of an average £60 return Liverpool to London train ticket or take National Express with fares from £8 each way.

This option takes the Eurostar to Brussels, high speed train to Cologne, sleeper train to Moscow, spending two nights aboard crossing Poland and Belerus.

Book through Deutsche Bahn UK on 0871 800 8066.

The adventurous and hardcore fan with a reliable vehicle might also consider driving the 2,038 miles to Moscow.

Based on calculations of a 10-year-old Vauxhall Corsa, with a 1.4 engine, this would cost £266 in petrol.

laurasharpe