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?

<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