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Euros 2012; Who's going? Travel arrangements...
Topic Started: May 7 2012, 08:32 PM (159 Views)
Holmsie
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Frank Worthington
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Right folks,

Who's going to Ukraine this summer then?

I'm looking at travel arrangements from Kiev to Donetsk and having difficulty finding anything concrete...

Apparently there was supposed to be a high speed rail network being built especially for the tournament but I can't find anywhere to book tickets etc.

Also heard there's "sleeper trains" (7 - 10 hour journey) from Kiev to Donetsk but can't really find any decent websites for this either.

Anyone sorted their transport from Kiev to Donetsk (and back)?

KRO.
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friendly76
Geoff Horsfield
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I am going too.

I have been to Kiev 4 times this year with work, I must say its not the easiest place in the world to book or organise anything concrete.

Firstly you are right about the high speed train link being built, however, it's not scheduled to be finished until August apparently lol. This was the new link between Kiev and Donetsk for the euros. It was meant to cut travel time to around 3 hours from 7-9 hours on the current trains.

I am not even bothering anymore to go to the games in donetsk even tho I do have tickets, its far to much hassle, there are less hotels beds in Donetsk than what the stadium capacity.

We have decided to just stay in kiev take the games in there. We arrive 7th June, managed to get an apartment in the city centre, last month when I was there we paid $170 a night for a 3 bedroom apartment, during euros we have had quotes from $450 a night upwards.

If you have not been to the Ukraine before, trust me as a fellow bluenose, keep your wits about you, at all times make sure you have your passport with you, it's the easiest way the police will stop you once they see or hear you are a tourist, it is a legal requirement to have it with you, the police will stop you and ask for your passport, either way if you have it or not expect them to ask you for money, they are so corrupt, they will either ask you for money on the streets, or more likely take you to the station and ask there. Just refuse at first because they will ask for $250 but will settle for. Much less.

Also it is an offence to drink on the streets, lol yeah right in a footy tournament, but also it is illegal to walk the streets after midnight if you have had a drink, so be careful when leaving bars, there are normally many cabs outside all bars so just jump,one home, they are cheap.

Also be careful, the women are the most beautiful you will have ever seen, they will talk to you as soon as they hear your are english, remember this country is on its backside financially, most people have no income, so don't be fooled in thinking these women think you are brad Pitt, they WILL ask you for money for sex, some are very upfront and will come Over and just ask outright do you want sex for money, the clever ones will talk and be with you all night allowing you to buy them drinks before then delivering the killer punch.

Again, be careful approaching groups of Ukrainian men at night, these guys like to drink copious amounts of vodka and it's in thier DNA to fight, so don't go offending them or give them a reason to start. They do not mess about, and yes the plod will obviously favour the local.

All that being said, just be sensible, you will have an awesome time in a great country, I love it there but I'm not sure they really appreciate what will,hit them in 4 weeks time and I don't think they are ready for it.

Have a great trip, if your in Kiev and fancy a beer or want to know the places to go,in Kiev drop me a pm

KRO Phil
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lowdham bluenose
Joe Bradford
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Test match cricket and the Olympics is enough for me. Football can have a break until August.



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Holmsie
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Frank Worthington
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Friendly76, thank you for that very thorough and informative response! Much appreciated mate and definitely given our party a clearer idea of what to expect.

Can't wait for it though and may be a welcome break from a summer of speculation, Blues-wise.

If anyone else has any tid-bits of info, or how they're getting around the country, we're all ears...

KRO.
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Dugarry
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Geoff Horsfield
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There is a measles warning at the moment - don't take that lightly as it can be extremely dangerous.
If traveling, please read up about this - stay safe!!! **thumbup
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clapton bluenose
Alex Govan
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For cheap flights check out

http://www.kayak.co.uk/
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friendly76
Geoff Horsfield
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Holmsie
May 8 2012, 10:52 PM
Friendly76, thank you for that very thorough and informative response! Much appreciated mate and definitely given our party a clearer idea of what to expect.

Can't wait for it though and may be a welcome break from a summer of speculation, Blues-wise.

If anyone else has any tid-bits of info, or how they're getting around the country, we're all ears...

KRO.

Morning holmsie,

No problems on the info.

Don't get me wrong you will have a awesome time, I was just letting you know a few little things to be aware of, last one if you go on a train or metro, just make sure all pockets and valuables are secured they have warnings everywhere in Russian about pickpockets.

If you do manage to get an over night sleeper train to Donetsk, that is the funniest experience I have every had, we got an overnight sleeper from Kiev to Dnipropetrovsk in 2009 watching England. Omg what an experience, the trains are so old as are the tracks that the trains can not go faster than 40mph.

The locals are friendly on the trains and offer you vodka all trip, there is not much else to do than get drunk and hope for the best and that the train stays on the tracks.

If you guys are struggling for train info or booking, let me know, I know a Kiev based tour agent who can help you booked trains and accommodation etc. I have used them 7 times now and they are very good.

If you need anymore help or info let me know and I can help, I have many contacts in Ukraine

Phil
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willvbcfc
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Gil Merrick
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I'm going to Poland to follow a few of the Irish matches instead of Ukraine and doing it as part of Euro tour with a few of my friends. Ukraine, unless you hire a car out there, is useless for transport and we couldn't fit it in with the rest of our trip. Here's our itinerary.

Berlin > Hamburg > Gdansk (staying in the tent park outside the stadium for Ireland v Spain) > Warsaw (For Poland v Czech Rep) > Milan > Stuttgart > Frankfurt.

Going to be a great two weeks!
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Holmsie
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Frank Worthington
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Dugarry
May 8 2012, 11:59 PM
There is a measles warning at the moment - don't take that lightly as it can be extremely dangerous.
If traveling, please read up about this - stay safe!!! **thumbup

Ta mate. **thumbup Will look into it.
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Holmsie
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Frank Worthington
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willvbcfc
May 9 2012, 07:50 AM
I'm going to Poland to follow a few of the Irish matches instead of Ukraine and doing it as part of Euro tour with a few of my friends. Ukraine, unless you hire a car out there, is useless for transport and we couldn't fit it in with the rest of our trip. Here's our itinerary.

Berlin > Hamburg > Gdansk (staying in the tent park outside the stadium for Ireland v Spain) > Warsaw (For Poland v Czech Rep) > Milan > Stuttgart > Frankfurt.

Going to be a great two weeks!

Sounds a cracker mate!

Berlin's amazing, very cool too. Frankfurt has an excellent red light district ;) and very modern.

I did the fan camp site in Germany '06 when we lost to Portugal (in Gelsenkirchen) - absolutely quality, so no doubt your one in Gdansk with the Irish will be top draw too!

Thanks for everyone's replies.

:drink:
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