Shaktar away

[cleavers]

How did people get from Kiev to Kharkiv last year? It’s an 8 hour train or something stupid...

Train, was 5 hours, about £30 return in first class.

I'm only on my phone, this weekend so cant reply with any details.

My guess is that BA flights will come down in a few days once initial interest dies. The plane last year was little over 3/4 full.

 

[Alec-mcfc]

It was literally a 24 hour trip. Left at 5am and walked back through the door at the same time! Think I’ll probably do it again

Nice one cheers, might jump on it. Just thinking about work the next day haha.

 

[happychappy]

About what time did you get home? Thinking about doing it this time

We did the Thomas Cook day trip, think it was £299. Dropped us off at an irish bar and after a little scuffle early on we were well looked after by the guys who ran the bar. Coach straight back to the airport after the game

Mike Summerbee appeared in the Irish bar for a few red wines with us, which I thought was a nice touch

 

[Mike Brock]

Mike Summerbee appeared in the Irish bar for a few red wines with us, which I thought was a nice touch

Yeh very decent of him, got some top photos. Kelly O’Donnell came in earlier on as well

 

[bluefm]

The problem with this trip is the time you need. If you're DIY and flying from Manchester via Kiev you'll probably need a night in Kiev before and after the game and a night in Kharkiv. There are possibilities via the London airports but it's a hassle getting down there and overall the times don't seem to work any better.
The good news is because it's so hard to get there it will be easy to get a ticket - it didn't sell out last year.
I did this last year via Istanbul and made a bit of break of it but this year the flight times and prices don't work.
I'm going to take a few days again and go via Warsaw where I've never been before. LOT flies from there to Kharkiv.
There were a few problems last year with the Mentalist fans but otherwise it was a good trip.
Kharkiv is not that exciting but there's some good cheap food and drink which is all you need.

 

[grant1977]

The problem with this trip is the time you need. If you're DIY and flying from Manchester via Kiev you'll probably need a night in Kiev before and after the game and a night in Kharkiv. There are possibilities via the London airports but it's a hassle getting down there and overall the times don't seem to work any better.
The good news is because it's so hard to get there it will be easy to get a ticket - it didn't sell out last year.
I did this last year via Istanbul and made a bit of break of it but this year the flight times and prices don't work.
I'm going to take a few days again and go via Warsaw where I've never been before. LOT flies from there to Kharkiv.
There were a few problems last year with the Mentalist fans but otherwise it was a good trip.
Kharkiv is not that exciting but there's some good cheap food and drink which is all you need.

Was there a lot of issues with their lot as I’m probably travelling alone ?

 

[harry the plumber]

Just make sure you get to the ground early.So you can get through the body searches.Think i went through 5 and then got searched again afyer going to the toilet in the ground

 

[bluefm]

Was there a lot of issues with their lot as I’m probably travelling alone ?

It's not "their lot" but the Metalist fans that are the problem. Their club has been through a lot of trauma in recent years and they don't particularly like Shaktar and are probably jealous of all the Champions League trappings so that includes away supporters. I was on my own and didn't see any trouble just heard about it. I just kept myself to myself when I walked back into town after the game (after midnight - note KO is 10pm local time). I would not be too worried about it.

 

[Tim of the Oak]

anyone do this last year? Defo up
For it but will probably travel alone so would be good to know where people stayed, drank etc

Yes I went last year and had a good day out in Kharkiv. There were a few decent bars near the coach drop off point in town on the road with the Sports Shop (sorry I can’t rember the name but somebody may be able to do so). Take a few precaitions and you will have a good time.

I would join up with other Blues in Kharkiv. There were a few young knobs hanging about knocking the odd City fan’s scarf. Someone wearing a stone island jacket got beaten up outside the ground and had the badge in their coat stolen, apparently it’s a prize for hooligans out there.

 

[cptaidan88]

Chances of Thomas Cook running a trip this year? Made my own arrangements last year but it took a week and cost a fortune. The trip offered good value in the end but I'd already booked when it was announced. I think they ended up giving away about 16 seats anyway to competition winners just to fill the plane. Interest in this one seems low at the minute.

@grant1977 there was hardly any trouble - an old lad got his scarf robbed when he had put it down in a pub and some young city lads getting off the train had a bit of a skirmish and one lad got a fat lip. Unfortunately thats par for the course. I didn't see any bother myself - the locals I encountered were actually very friendly. Once you actually get there, its very cheap.