Complete Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup: A guide for travelling fans

If you’re one of those lucky diehard football fans who’ve managed to get tickets to the World Cup matches, we have an ultimate travel guide for you. We worked with Turkish Airlines to bring you this guide that can help you find airports, hotels, food and more as you head to Russia for the biggest football event of the year.

Not going to Russia? Here's where to enjoy the World Cup live in the UAE.

June 14 – July 15

There are 11 cities in Russia hosting matches. Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Sochi, Samara, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Volgograd, Kaliningrad, Saransk and Nizhny Novgorod will play host to various matches across the tournament. Turkish Airlines flies to seven of the 11 host cities, helping us create this city-wise guide for football fans.

Use our dedicated World Cup page to get timely updates, scores, fixtures, news, predictions and speculations, and more as the teams progress. 

Fly to: Domodedovo International Airport

Fly to: Sheremetyevo International Airport

Moscow may be best known for its historically and politically significant attractions, but beyond these high-profile landmarks lays a broader, buzzing metropolis that rarely seems to slow.

The Kremlin, Red Square and Saint Basil’s Cathedral tell a fascinating story of Russia’s colourful past, while the Moscow riverboat tour provides a memorable, alternative view of the city. Head to Danilovsky Market to sample deli-style international cuisines, and Tverskaya Street for row after row of retail stores. Moscow’s weather is pleasant during the summer months, making a visit to the activity-filled Gorky Park worthwhile.

Bunker 42. This vast tunnel system was built in secret under the streets of Moscow after the Soviet Union’s first series of nuclear tests to shelter Stalin and other senior figures in case of nuclear fallout.

Fly to: Pulkovo Airport

Russia’s cultural heart, Saint Petersburg stands apart for the scale of its opulent landmarks and historical attractions. The city’s elegant canal, lined by ornate plazas and elegant palaces often draws comparison with Venice, while its many parks and gardens bloom during the summer months to offer a brief retreat from urban life.

As the first structure that was built in the city, Peter & Paul Fortress on Zayachy Island is considered the birthplace of Saint Petersburg. Meanwhile, the world-famous Hermitage Museum houses a vast collection of impressive Russian art.

The White Nights festival. Held this year between May 26 and July 23, the festival brings classic ballet, opera and musical performances to the city. If that’s not your thing, a series of carnivals are also held in the streets during the festival, where actors in period dress and period carriages play out historical events.

Fly to: Rostov-on-Don Airport

Known informally as ‘the gateway to the Caucasus’, Rostov-on-Don marks the geographic border between Asia and Europe, and is the preferred stop off point for travellers heading on to the Black Sea. The city’s many green spaces and imposing squares make it an ideal destination to explore on foot, which leads most to the Don River – arguably the city’s most prominent landmark.

Here, visitors will find an energetic mix of food stalls, live music, and pleasant fountains. Beyond the many riverside sights, Rostov-on-Don’s rich history is a recurring feature. Bolshaya Sadovaya Street, one of the city’s oldest and most attractive locations, stands as Rostov-on-Don’s cultural hub.

Pushkinskaya Ulitsa. Escape the city streets and explore this serene promenade, which is at its most pleasant during the summer months. Restaurants, sculptures, and buskers pepper the route, providing a welcome distraction during a casual stroll.

Fly to: Sochi International Airport

Already familiar to most as the host city of the 2014 Winter Olympics, Sochi is a polished seaside gem on Russia’s southern cost. The city is the largest on the ‘Russian Riviera’, so named for the area’s sophisticated, energetic resorts.

Beyond the yachts and nightlife, you’ll see that Sochi has a calmer character in the many peaceful parks dotted along the coastline – notably, Sochi National Park. And, like most major Russian cities, you won’t need to explore much to discover the area’s historical and political past. The Museum of Sochi History shines a light on the city’s maritime and military past.

The Lenin Mosaic. This highly Instagrammable, giant read head shot of the former Soviet Leader is hard to miss in Sochi’s Riviera Park.

Fly to: Kurumoch International Airport

Understated Samara may not be a typical tourist magnet, but the port city’s lively atmosphere and riverside location should create an enjoyable experience for traveling football fans.

The Samara Embankment is a highlight during the sunnier months. It offers the chance to stroll and admire the view out over the Volga River, as sunbathers bronze and friends catch up at one of the various low-key cafes. Creative types will appreciate the city’s abundant art museum, while Stalin’s Bunker provides a lesson in Samara’s Soviet history.

Square Aleksandra Pushkina. This peaceful retreat is an ideal spot to wander and relax, crowned by the memorable view down on to the Volga River below.

Fly to: Kazan International Airport

As the intersection between European and Asian cultures, Kazan kindles its guests’ interest with its unique, multi-faceted personality. Islamic and Christian cultures merge together here, evidenced most notably by the brightly-coloured domes and striking crescents that adorn the Temple of All Religions in Kazan’s northwest.

Situated on the banks of the River Volga, the city bursts with cultural landmarks, like the Central Market that harks back to the Tatar bazars that were once commonplace.

The Chak-chak Museum. This interactive museum with a difference provides an edible exploration of Tatar’s national food and drink, notably the sweet chak-chak dough balls that are served during special occasions.

Fly to: Koltsovo Airport

Few other Russian cities can boast a story like Yekaterinburg. The city is considered the birthplace of Russian industry, witnessed the fall of Russian monarchy, and flourished during the early 20th Century as the country’s cultural and scientific nucleus. Its location also marks Yekaterinburg as a strategic base for travellers making their way to the magnificent Ural Mountains.

A thriving restaurant scene reflects the city’s wider prosperity, boosted by the World Cup, which brought an upgrade to its metro line and touristic infrastructure.

The view from Vysotskiy Viewing Platform. Head up 52 floors inside the tallest Russian skyscraper outside of Moscow for a birds-eye view of Yekaterinburg’s sprawling urban landscape.

Volgograd will be the location for Tunisia v England on June 18, before Saudi Arabia play Egypt on June 25. Kaliningrad hosts Spain v Morocco on June 25, while Saransk welcomes fans for Panama v Tunisia on June 28. Meanwhile, Nizhny Novgorod provides the backdrop for round of 16 matches on July 1, and the quarter-final on July 6.