World Cup flight booking scams Russia-bound Brits need to make sure they avoid
The Association of British Travel Agents has issued warnings to football fans to stop them getting scammed
BRITS across the country are making last minute plans to head to Russia for our semi-final game against Croatia tomorrow.
But there are some warnings that they need to take heed of to avoid getting conned by booking scams.
With websites like seeing a 185 per cent spike in enquiries from fans looking to head over to Moscow, the Association of British Travel Agents has issued warnings to football fans.
A spokesperson said: "ABTA Members are reporting yet another surge in demand for travel to Russia after England reached the semi-final.
"For fans looking to travel to Moscow for England’s semi-final, it’s important to remember that there are entry requirements for Russia: if you have a valid ticket to one of the matches and have registered for a Fan ID, you won’t need a visa.
"If you don’t have a ticket and Fan ID, you will need a visa. However please be aware that The Russian Embassy advised in March 2018 that it takes around 20 business days (4 weeks) to process most visa applications."
The agency also warns that Brits could be conned out of money if they are not vigilant about the companies they are booking flights and hotels with.
The spokesperson said: "Events like the World Cup can be a popular target for fraud.
"ABTA recommends that anyone looking for a last minute trip to Moscow for England’s semi-final match to be vigilant by checking that they’re booking with a reputable company.
"There are ABTA Members offering trips to the World Cup – you can check if a company is an ABTA Member at ."
The agency also advises against buying tickets off touts once Brits get to Russia, as anyone caught with a forged ticket won’t be let into the game, and could be fined.
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ABTA also recommends that fans check the latest guidelines for travel on the Foreign Office website.
It's not impossible to get to Moscow even at this late stage and we've got a guide on how to get there and where to stay if you can bagsy the time off work.
Sun Online Travel previously revealed how to drink vodka and avoid hangovers like a local once you get to Moscow.