Russia 2018 WCup: Turkish Airlines’ must-know guide for travelling fans
ISTANBUL: Football fan? If so, you’ve reason to rejoice this summer, as June 14 marks the kick off of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Four Arab national teams will be flying out to compete at this year’s tournament KSA, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco. And, following close behind them will be legions of loyal ticket-holding fans eager to see how their own team fares at the pinnacle of international football. With 42 flights daily from Kuwait to Istanbul and with short onward connections to seven match venues in Russia, Turkish Airlines has the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia covered. To help fans prepare for their trip, the airline has put together this must-know guide to each of the relevant host cities it serves.
Moscow Luzhniki Stadium
Capacity: 80,000 Relevant matches hosted: Russia v Saudi Arabia, June 14 Portugal v Morocco, June 20 Round of 16, July 1 Semi-final, July 11
Final, July 15
Fly with Turkish Airlines Domodedovo International Airport
Spartak Stadium
Capacity:45,360 Relevant matches hosted: Belgium v Tunisia, June 23 Round of 16, July 3
Fly with Turkish Airlines Sheremetyevo International Airport
Moscow at a glance
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.
Must-eat restaurants
into: into:
Bardak, Maroseyka Street, House 6/8 Uryuk, various locations across the city Livanets, Glinishhevskiy Lane, 3 Don’t leave without seeing...
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.
Saint Petersburg Saint Petersburg Stadium
Capacity: 64,287
Relevant matches hosted: Morocco v Iran, June 15
Russia v Egypt, June 19
Round of 16, July 3
Semi-final, July 10
Third place play-off, July 14
Fly with Turkish Airlines into: Pulkovo Airport
Saint Petersburg at a glance
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.
Like many cities in Russia, Saint Petersburg’s rich past has been preserved for the modern day. 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 comprises the largest collection of paintings in the world and this magnificent Russian Museum houses a vast collection of impressive Russian art.
Must-eat restaurants
Navruz, LeninskiyProspekt, 125 Armudu, S’ezzhinskaya, 4, Shurpa, Engelsapr-kt, 27 Don’t leave without seeing...
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.
Rostov-on-Don Rostov Arena
Capacity: 45,145
Relevant matches hosted: Uruguay v Saudi Arabia, June 20 Round of 16, July 2
Fly with Turkish Airlines into: Rostovon-Don Airport
Rostov-on-Don at a glance
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. BolshayaSadovaya Street, one of the city’s oldest and most attractive locations, stands as Rostov-onDon’s cultural hub.
Must-eat restaurants Yalla, Teatralnaya Square, 3
Baghdad, House 42 Budennovskiy pr-kt 25 Chyornaya Koshka, Sholokhova Avenue, 12 Don’t leave without seeing...
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.
Sochi Fisht Stadium
Capacity: 47,659
Relevant matches hosted:
Round of 16, June 30
Quarter final, July 7
Fly with Turkish Airlines into: Sochi International Airport
Sochi at a glance
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.
Must-eat restaurants
Damask, Yegorova Street, 2 Restaurant Ulker, Yaltinskaia Street, 4 La Punto, Mezhdunarodnaya Street, 2/1, Olympiyski Park
Don’t leave without seeing...
The Lenin Mosaic. This highly Instagramable, giant read head shot of the former Soviet Leader is hard to miss in Sochi’s Riviera Park.
Samara Samara Arena
Capacity: 44,807
Relevant matches hosted:
Round of 16, July 2
Quarter final, July 7
Fly with Turkish Airlines into: Kurumoch International Airport
Samara at a glance
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.
Must-eat restaurants
Chuchvara, Dachnaya Street, 2 VostochniiKvartalChaikhana, Sadovaya Street, 61
Cafe Puri, Kuibysheva Street, 79 Don’t leave without seeing...
Square Aleksandra Pushkina. This peaceful retreat is an ideal spot to wander and relax, crowned by the memorableview down on to the Volga River below.
Kazan Kazan Arena
Capacity: 45,379
Relevant matches hosted:
Round of 16, June 30
Quarter final, July 6
Fly with Turkish Airlines into: Kazan International Airport
Kazan at a glance
As the intersection between European and Asian cultures, Kazan kindles its guests interest with its unique, multifaceted 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.
Must-eat restaurants
Rubai, Profsojuznaja Street, 23/12 Sultanat, NursultanNazarbayev Street, 35/98
Khumo, Chernyshevskogo, 29 Don’t leave without seeing...
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.
Yekaterinburg Ekaterinburg Arena
Capacity: 35,696
Arab matches hosted:
Egypt v Uruguay, June 15
Fly with Turkish Airlines into: Koltsovo Airport
Yekaterinburgat a glance
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.
Must-eat restaurants
Sufra, Voyevodina Street, 8 Nigora, Kuybysheva Street, House 55 Hmeli Suneli, Lenina Street, 69/10 Don’t leave without seeing...
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.
...And the rest?
A total of 11 cities will host matches during this year’s tournament.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.
From our pilots to our cabin crew to our ground crew, we know what it takes to deliver a trophy-winning experience. Choose Turkish Airlines for your 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia travel and fly with the aviation champions.