Date: Friday 6 October 2017
Venue: Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi, Georgia Dinamo Arena
Kick off time: 8pm local time (BST +3)
As well as this advice, check out our travel advice for Georgia
Passports and visas
If you’re travelling to Georgia on a British passport from the UK you won’t need a visa, but your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after entry. We strongly advise you to take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance even if you are only going for one night. It could save you a lot of money if you get into difficulties.
Getting to and from the airport
Tbilisi airport
Airport taxis can be found directly outside arrivals. You can also order a taxi by phone or app. Lists of taxi companies can be found at the Georgian Yell website. Usually taxis aren’t metered. If you prefer a metered taxi specify when ordering and insist the driver uses the meter. Or, if there is no meter, ensure you agree a price before getting in the car. The price from the airport to the city centre should be around 30 GEL = £10 and the journey to the city centre takes 20-30 minutes depending on traffic.
City Bus N 37 operates everyday between the city and the airport. The ticket price is 0.5 GEL = 20 pence. Bus schedules can be found on the Tbilisi Transport Company website.
The airport railway station is located in front of the airport passenger terminal, next to the car park. Train tickets can be bought at the station. Trains to Tbilisi Central Station cost 0.5 GEL = 20 pence and take 35 minutes but are infrequent. They currently run twice a day at: 8:35am – 9:10am and 5:40pm – 6:15pm (from airport railway station to the Central Station); and 7:50am – 8:25am and 4:55pm – 5:30pm (from the Central Station to the airport railway station).
For more information about Tbilisi International Airport, please visit Tbilisi Airport website.
Railway information centre: 1331 (both local mobile and landline).
Kutaisi Airport
The Georgian Bus Company run buses from Kutaisi International Airport to Tbilisi city centre (Pushkini Garden on Freedom Square). The ticket price is 20 GEL = £6. Buses depart from the airport regularly.
Taxis are available outside the airport or can be ordered by phone or app. Lists of taxi companies can be found at the Georgian Yell website. The journey from Kutaisi airport to the Tbilisi city centre takes 2-3 hours depending on traffic and is likely to cost around 180 GEL – or £60-£70.
Getting around Tbilisi and to the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena
Taxi
Taxis can be flagged down easily on the street, but you should avoid doing so after dark, particularly if you’re female, as there have been incidences of robbery. You can also order taxis by phone or app. You should also be wary of taxi drivers who don’t know the route to your destination and choose an alternative. Journeys within Tbilisi should cost no more than 5-10 GEL= £2-4. From downtown to the stadium should cost around 8 GEL = £3 and take 15-20 minutes depending on traffic.
Metro
Tbilisi has an efficient, but limited metro system. The station for the stadium is Vagslis Moedani (Station Square). From the station, turn right down Tevdore Mgvdeli street, then first left down G. Tsabadze street where the stadium will become visible on the right. The walk will take you about 10 minutes.
Bus
Bus N 31 via Pushkini Garden on Freedom Square/ Rustaveli Avenue/ Melikishvili Avenue stops at Vagzlis Moedani (Station Square).
At the match
Wales supporters will be accommodated in the North Stand of the stadium in sections 11 and 12 (see stadium plan) of the first tier, entrance through gate F situated on Tseretlei Avenue. There are up to 30 seats for disabled fans, they should enter the stadium from gate B situated on Tsabadze street.
Access to the stadium
Kick-off is at 8:00pm local time. The gates will open 2 hours before the match. Access to the stadium can be slow, so you should aim to arrive at the stadium at least 90 minutes before kick-off. Ticket checkpoints will be in operation around the area of the stadium; you’ll need to show your match ticket to gain access to the complex. Once within the complex, make your way to the turnstiles where your ticket will be scanned. Stewards standing next to the turnstiles will provide assistance if needed. On your way to your seats, police may ask to check any bags. You don’t need to carry your passport to the match to gain entry to the stadium.
Restrictions
In addition to items which would usually be prohibited in the UK, please note the following items will not be allowed into the stadium: pyrotechnics, flares, fireworks, smoke bombs, guns, knives, air horns, megaphones, alcohol, cans, glass, plastic bottles or containers, coins, lighters. If you do bring any of these items they will be confiscated by the Georgian authorities. Umbrellas and crash helmets are also not permitted and there are no luggage facilities available to store your belongings. Alcohol is banned.
Local Information
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language – the main language is Georgian
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climate and time – the average temperature in October is around 15-20 C during the day. During the autumn months, it can be rainy and cloudy. You can find weather information on the following website At the beginning of October, Georgia will be 3 hours ahead of the UK
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electricity – the supply in Tbilisi is generally reliable. Take a two-pin European adapter with you if you need to charge electronic equipment
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disabled travelers – it can be difficult for disabled people to get around Tbilisi. Pavements, even along the main roads, are often uneven and difficult to negotiate for those with disabilities
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photos – don’t take pictures of military bases or power installations
Personal security and road safety
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crime levels in Tbilisi are generally low, but muggings do occur from time to time after dark in the centre of the city, particularly around bars and clubs and near dimly lit entrances of private apartments. There have been some reports of sexual assaults by taxi drivers after dark
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take sensible precautions: be vigilant, avoid carrying large sums of money and try to avoid walking alone at night
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look after your personal belongings, in particular your passport and your money. Carry a photocopy of the personal details pages of your passport and keep it in a safe place separate from your passport
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be vigilant at all times when crossing roads; red traffic lights and zebra crossings don’t necessarily mean a car will stop. Use the underpasses where available
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when using a taxi make sure it has working seatbelts; many cars are poorly maintained and the standard of driving is erratic
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accidents are common, mainly due to poor or reckless driving and inconsistent enforcement of traffic rules
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if you’re in a vehicle that is travelling at an unsafe speed you should instruct the driver to slow down
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respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times. Be mindful of your actions and how they may be interpreted by people of other cultures or religious beliefs
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there are no public toilets in the city so you will have to nip into a café/pub and buy something to use the facilities. Don’t urinate in the street – this is an offence
Telephones
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the international dialing code for Georgia is 00995. To call Tbilisi from the UK dial 00995 32 2 then a 6-digit number. Before travelling check with your mobile phone provider that it will work in Tbilisi
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local sim cards can be bought either from official mobile phone shops, like Beeline, Geocell or Magti; or from some souvenir shops on Rustaveli Avenue. Credit for sim cards can be purchased from Pay-Boxes which can be seen almost everywhere in the streets
Currency
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all goods and services are paid for in local currency (Georgian Lari – GEL). Sterling, US Dollars and Euros are easily exchanged. Major hotels, international supermarkets and restaurants accept credit and debit cards
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ATMs in Tbilisi will almost always accept UK credit and debit cards. Before leaving the UK, let your bank know you are travelling to Georgia
Consular assistance
If there is a genuine emergency during your visit to Tbilisi (e.g. an accident, injury or loss/theft of your passport) call + 995 32 2 27 47 47 and follow the instructions to be put through to a consular officer. If you are arrested, British consular officials can visit you in prison (if you request it) and can put you in touch with local lawyers, if you need one. We can’t get you out of prison, represent you in court or pay your bills. If you wish to see a consular official please make this request clear to the local police authorities.
Lost or stolen passports
If your passport is lost or stolen report the loss to the local police as soon as possible and get a copy of the police report. You cannot travel back to the UK without a valid travel document. You will need to apply to the Consular Section of the British Embassy in Tbilisi for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). Please see our ETD website. The ETD is a temporary travel document which will allow you to return to the UK. You will need to produce the following:
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a copy of the police report reporting the passport stolen
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an acceptable form of identification, if possible (e.g. driving licence and/or photocopy of your lost passport)
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one passport-size photograph
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a fee £ 100 = 350 GEL. Card and cash are both accepted (note: only local currency is acceptable when paying by cash)
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details of your return travel arrangements to the UK (copy of your flight ticket)
Lost or stolen credit/debit cards
If you lose your wallet or purse try to cancel your credit/debit cards as soon as possible. British consular officials cannot give you money to help you return home. You can transfer money from the UK using many of the commercial money transfer agencies in Tbilisi, including Western Union. You can also use most major credit and debit cards to obtain money from ATMs.
Our Address is: 51 Krtsanisi Street, Tbilisi, 0114, Georgia
Embassy telephone number: +995 32 2 27 47 47
E-mail: tbilisi.consularenquiries@fco.gov.uk
Travel Advice: travel advice for Georgia
The Consular section of the British Embassy in Tbilisi is open to the public from 9:00am – 14:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Emergency services number
Fire, Police, Ambulance: 112.
Maps
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