218 Fifa world cup

The Motorhomer’s Guide to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia

This summer, Russia will be hosting the greatest sporting event of the year – the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Every time a World Cup is staged, fans descend upon the host nation in their thousands to witness footballing history – and this year, you might be one of them.

While flights to Russia might be expensive, there are alternative methods of travel – which is why we’ve created this comprehensive guide for motorhome owners who might be planning the trip of a lifetime this summer.

Here you can find out everything you need to know, from how to get a visa to the best driving routes and travel times to and from Russian host cities.

Then you can plan and enjoy your unique FIFA World Cup experience from the comfort of your motorhome!

Getting Motorhome Insurance Organised for Russia

First thing’s first – if you intend on making the trip east this summer, you’ll need an insured vehicle to take on the road.

At Comfort Insurance, we sell motorhome insurance providing various different levels of comprehensive cover.

The great thing about our policies is that you can get up to 365 days’ foreign use including breakdown cover in any country within the EU.

That means that if you do end up driving to Russia in your motorhome, we can get you as far Poland – which is an unprecedented distance for which you can travel and benefit from valid motorhome insurance.

Standard EU cover will not be valid in Belarus or Russia itself, so you will need to arrange insurance with another provider to get covered when driving in both of those countries.

Getting a Tourist Visa

In order to legally enter Russia, you will need to arrange a tourist visa.

To apply for a tourist visa, you will need a variety of documents, including:

  • A passport containing a minimum of 2 empty pages. It should also be valid for a minimum of 6 months after the visa period ends.
  • A signed and fully completed visa form (x2 copies required) with accompanying photograph. This can be filled in online via the Russian Federation Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
  • A 3.5cm x 4.5cm photograph.
  • An insurance policy that is valid in Russia (the original and a copy).
  • Tourist voucher/confirmation of tourist acceptance (this can be arranged by the Russian National Tourist Office).

You can find details on how to apply for a Russian tourist visa via VFS Global who manage Russian visa applications and also via Russian embassy website.

In addition to the submission of the documents outlined above, all applicants over the age of 12 should visit a Russian visa application centre to have their finger prints scanned. These are located in London, Edinburgh and Manchester.

The submission fee varies depending on the type of visa you are applying for and how urgently you require it to be processed by.

The standard processing time you can expect for the issuing of a Russian tourist visa is between 4 and 20 days – however, you can have the processed fast-tracked if you pay double the visa fee. In this case the processing should take no longer than 3 days.

As mentioned above, you need to be insured to enter Russia. You’ll be required to hold a travel insurance policy to keep you covered for accidents should anything unexpected and unfortunate take place regarding your personal health during your trip.

There are also some additional considerations to bear in mind – especially if you are travelling with children.

If a child is included in the parent’s passport, then they will also be included in the visa. Therefore, a separate visa form would not be required in this case. All that’s needed is a photograph of the child to go in with the parent’s own application.

However, if the child has their own passport, then they will need separate visa and will have to go through the process as normal.

If you’re planning on taking pets with you, it’s important to remember that you are only limited to x2 animals per entry. An international veterinary passport is required and it must be issued in your country of residence.

As far as bringing pets into Russia in your motorhome, there are a variety of customs posts where veterinary passports are considered – so make sure you check before travelling which entry point on the Russian border suits your requirements best.

Driving in Russia

To drive in Russia, you will need an International Driving Permit (1949) and you must be aged 18 or over.

You also need the following documents:

  • Full, valid driving license
  • Proof of insurance
  • Photo ID
  • Proof that you own your vehicle (V5C certificate)
  • Russian Visa

Russian law also requires that the following items are carried in your vehicle. Failure to do so may result in hefty on the spot fines:

  • Warning triangle
  • Headlamp beam deflectors
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Spare bulbs

Driving in Russia, you must drive on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left.

Traffic from the right gets priority at roundabouts, unless otherwise sign posted, whilst using the horn is prohibited in large towns and cities unless absolutely necessary (in emergency situations).

The speed limit for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes is 60 km/h in built-up areas and 110 km/h on expressways and on other roads.

In some residential areas, the speed limit may not surpass 20 km/h.

You are permitted to park your vehicle on the right-hand side of the road facing the same direction as the flow of traffic.

Parking your motorhome for an extended period of time is only permitted in allocated parking places and campsites. Failure to follow vehicle parking regulations can result in fines and the police can tow away illegally parked vehicles.

What’s the Best Route to Drive to Russia for the World Cup 2018?

Best route when driving to Russia

<Image Copyright Google Maps 2018>

Assuming you are travelling directly to Moscow, the fastest route you can take from Calais is as follows:

France (A16) > Belgium (E40, E34) > The Netherlands (A67) > Germany (40, 3, 2, 10, 12) > Poland (A2/E30, S8/E67, 65) > Belarus (P99/E30, M1/E30, > Russia (M-1/E30)

All being well, this route should take you 28 hours to drive from Calais.

Where to Stop along the Way to Moscow

Even the hardiest of drivers won’t be able cope with a 28 hour drive, so you may wish to plan where you’re going to stop along your route.

The following cities represent some of the main stopping points along the above journey. Where possible, we’ve provided a link to information on where you could go about booking your stay for the night.

  1. Antwerp, Belgium
  2. Eindhoven, The Netherlands
  3. Dortmund, Germany
  4. Hanover, Germany
  5. Berlin, Germany
  6. Poznan, Poland
  7. Warsar, Poland
  8. Bialystok, Poland
  9. Minsk, Belarus
  10. Smolensk, Russia
  11. Moscow, Russia

 

Which Cities Are Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2018?

There are 11 host cities in total:

  • Moscow
  • Yekaterinburg
  • Sochi
  • Petersburg
  • Kazan
  • Samara
  • Rostov-on-Don
  • Volgograd
  • Kaliningrad
  • Saransk
  • Nizhny Novgorod

Travel Times between Russian Host Cities

Once you’re in Russia, the driving doesn’t stop.

Given the sheer size of the country, there are still going to be some long journeys from stadium to stadium.

For example, Moscow to Yekaterinburg takes around as long as it would take you to drive from Calais to Moscow.

 

Driving from Moscow

Route Driving Time Distance (km)
Moscow to Yekaterinburg 26 hrs 1,766 km
Moscow to Sochi 21 hrs 1,622 km
Moscow to St. Petersburg 9.5 hrs 709 km
Moscow to Kazan 13 hrs 815 km
Moscow to Samara 15 hrs 1050 km
Moscow to Rostov-on-Don 13 hrs 1075 km
Moscow to Volgograd 12.5 hrs 969 km
Moscow to Kaliningrad 16 hrs 1264 km
Moscow to Saransk 9.5 hrs 648 km
Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod 8 hrs 478 km

 

Driving from Yekaterinburg

Route Driving Time Distance (Miles)
Yekaterinburg to Moscow 25 hrs 1787 km
Yekaterinburg to Sochi 38 hrs 2776 km
Yekaterinburg to St. Petersburg 30 hrs 2225 km
Yekaterinburg to Kazan 13 hrs 943 km
Yekaterinburg to Samara 13 hrs 949 km
Yekaterinburg to Rostov-on-Don 30 hrs 2230 km
Yekaterinburg to Volgograd 25.5 hrs 1765 km
Yekaterinburg to Kaliningrad 40 hrs 3042 km
Yekaterinburg to Saransk 18 hrs 1315 km
Yekaterinburg to Nizhny Novgorod 18.5 hrs 1345 km

 

Driving from Sochi

Route Driving Time Distance (Miles)
Sochi to Moscow 21hrs 1624 km
Sochi to Yekaterinburg 38 hrs 2780 km
Sochi to St. Petersburg 30 hrs 2336 km
Sochi to Kazan 28 hrs 2055 km
Sochi to Samara 25 hrs 1830 km
Sochi to Rostov-on-Don 8.5 hrs 554 km
Sochi to Volgograd 14 hrs 1018 km
Sochi to Kaliningrad 36 hrs 2878 km
Sochi to Saransk 22 hrs 1626 km
Sochi to Nizhny Novgorod 24 hrs 1758 km

 

Driving from St. Petersburg

Route Driving Time Distance (Miles)
St. Petersburg to Moscow 10 hrs 720 km
St. Petersburg to Yekaterinburg 31 hrs 2223 km
St. Petersburg to Sochi 30 hrs 2344 km
St. Petersburg to Kazan 20.5 hrs 1527 km
St. Petersburg to Samara 24 hrs 1771 km
St. Petersburg to Rostov-on-Don 22 hrs 1798 km
St. Petersburg to Volgograd 21.5 hrs 1691 km
St. Petersburg to Kaliningrad 13 hrs 965 km
St. Petersburg to Saransk 17.5 hrs 1369 km
St. Petersburg to Nizhny Novgorod 16 hrs 1181 km

 

Driving from Kazan

Route Driving Time Distance (Miles)
Kazan to Moscow 11.5 hrs 819 km
Kazan to Yekaterinburg 13.5 hrs 944 km
Kazan to Sochi 28 hrs 2027 km
Kazan to St. Petersburg 20 hrs 1520 km
Kazan to Samara 5.5 hrs 359 km
Kazan to Rostov-on-Don 20.5 hrs 1509 km
Kazan to Volgograd 14.5 hrs 1044 km
Kazan to Kaliningrad 27 hrs 2092 km
Kazan to Saransk 6 hrs 396 km
Kazan to Nizhny Novgorod 6 hrs 394 km

 

Driving from Samara

Route Driving Time Distance (Miles)
Samara to Moscow 15.5 hrs 1063 km
Samara to Yekaterinburg 13 hrs 952 km
Samara to Sochi 26 hrs 1866 km
Samara to St. Petersburg 24 hrs 1768 km
Samara to Kazan 5 hrs 358 km
Samara to Rostov-on-Don 18 hrs 1285 km
Samara to Volgograd 12 hrs 855 km
Samara to Kaliningrad 31 hrs 2340 km
Samara to Saransk 7 hrs 470 km
Samara to Nizhny Novgorod 9.5 hrs 655 km

 

Driving from Rostov-on-Don

Route Driving Time Distance (Miles)
Rostov-on-Don to Moscow 13 hrs 1079 km
Rostov-on-Don to Yekaterinburg 30 hrs 2236 km
Rostov-on-Don to Sochi 8 hrs 552 km
Rostov-on-Don to St. Petersburg 21.5 hrs 1792 km
Rostov-on-Don to Kazan 20 hrs 1510 km
Rostov-on-Don to Samara 18 hrs 1286 km
Rostov-on-Don to Volgograd 6.5 hrs 473 km
Rostov-on-Don to Kaliningrad 28 hrs 2335 km
Rostov-on-Don to Saransk 15 hrs 1083 km
Rostov-on-Don to Nizhny Novgorod 16.5 hrs 1215 km

 

Driving from Volgograd

Route Driving Time Distance (Miles)
Volgograd to Moscow 12.5 hrs 972 km
Volgograd to Yekaterinburg 24 hrs 1768 km
Volgograd to Sochi 15 hrs 1019 km
Volgograd to St. Petersburg 21 hrs 1685 km
Volgograd to Kazan 14 hrs 1043 km
Volgograd to Samara 12 hrs 788 km
Volgograd to Rostov-on-Don 6.5 hrs 472 km
Volgograd to Kaliningrad 27 hrs 2226 km
Volgograd to Saransk 9.5 hrs 716 km
Volgograd to Nizhny Novgorod 13.5 hrs 988 km

 

Driving from Kaliningrad

Route Driving Time Distance (Miles)
Kaliningrad to Moscow 16.5 hrs 1261 km
Kaliningrad to Yekaterinburg 40 hrs 3037 km
Kaliningrad to Sochi 36 hrs 2543 km
Kaliningrad to St. Petersburg 13 hrs 964 km
Kaliningrad to Kazan 27 hrs 2085 km
Kaliningrad to Samara 31 hrs 2327 km
Kaliningrad to Rostov-on-Don 28 hrs 2327 km
Kaliningrad to Volgograd 28 hrs 2221 km
Kaliningrad to Saransk 25 hrs 1926 km
Kaliningrad to Nizhny Novgorod 22.5 hrs 1740 km

 

Driving from Saransk

Route Driving Time Distance (Miles)
Saransk to Moscow 9 hrs 651 km
Saransk to Yekaterinburg 18 hrs 1347 km
Saransk to Sochi 23 hrs 1628 km
Saransk to St. Petersburg 17.5 hrs 1357 km
Saransk to Kazan 6 hrs 402 km
Saransk to Samara 7 hrs 476 km
Saransk to Rostov-on-Don 15 hrs 1081 km
Saransk to Volgograd 9.5 hrs 715 km
Saransk to Kaliningrad 24 hrs 1928 km
Saransk to Nizhny Novgorod 3 hrs 224 km

 

Driving from Nizhny Novgorod

Route Driving Time Distance (Miles)
Nizhny Novgorod to Moscow 7 hrs 473 km
Nizhny Novgorod to Yekaterinburg 18.5 hrs 1345 km
Nizhny Novgorod to Sochi 24 hrs 1748 km
Nizhny Novgorod to St. Petersburg 16 hrs 1174 km
Nizhny Novgorod to Kazan 6 hrs 394 km
Nizhny Novgorod to Samara 9.5 hrs 653 km
Nizhny Novgorod to Rostov-on-Don 16.5 hrs 1202 km
Nizhny Novgorod to Volgograd 12 hrs 927 km
Nizhny Novgorod to Kaliningrad 22 hrs 1746 km
Nizhny Novgorod to Saransk 3 hrs 223 km

 

Disclaimer: At the date of publication all information within this article was factually accurate. However, changes in circumstances over time may impact the accuracy of the information.

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Comfort Insurance

We’re a family run business with over 30 years' experience in the provision of specialist motorhome and campervan insurance. With a wealth of awards under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing a friendly and professional service, offering you the most comprehensive cover money can buy -  starting from just £220!

Comfort Insurance

We’re a family run business with over 30 years' experience in the provision of specialist motorhome and campervan insurance. With a wealth of awards under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing a friendly and professional service, offering you the most comprehensive cover money can buy -  starting from just £200!