The Extra Mile

Any travel tips for a Man United fan wanting to catch a match in the UK?

SA Manchester United Supporters' Club branch secretary, Ethel Sleith, shares some travel advice

03 December 2017 - 00:00 By Ethel Sleith

Q. I want to watch Liverpool vs Manchester United at Anfield next year as well as do a tour of Old Trafford and London. Any advice on booking, getting around, prices, visas and an itinerary? - Philip Reddy
A. The first thing to do would be to obtain a match ticket. The Liverpool Supporters' Club in South Africa - 082-900-0619 - should be able to help for matches at Anfield. Ticket prices vary, but face value would be around £45 (R820).You can book a tour of Old Trafford online. Tours last about an hour and are held every day, except on match days.
Should you wish to attend the home fixture at Old Trafford, scheduled for March 2018, you can get a ticket through the Manchester United Supporters' Club South Africa (e-mail ethelred@mweb.co.za). Membership of the branch is required, but tickets are guaranteed for members.It is possible to travel to either Anfield or Old Trafford and back to London in a day, but could be tiring. Consider an overnight stay in either Liverpool or Manchester.
The Premier Inn Old Trafford is right across the road from the stadium, as is the Hotel Football. The closest hotels to Anfield would be Hotel Anfield or Stanley Park Hotel. Expect to pay around £45 (R820) per room, but be aware that most hotels near football grounds increase their rates on Fridays and even more on Saturdays when there's a match.
It's difficult to suggest an itinerary for London, because it would depend on your interests. The open-top bus tours are very popular, and give one the opportunity to see many of the top attractions. The 24-hour ticket includes a boat ride on the Thames.
As a football fan, you might enjoy a tour of Wembley Stadium, Arsenal's Emirates, or Chelsea's Stamford Bridge. All of these are bookable online.As for getting around in London, the Underground is your best option. Buy a Travel card from any ticket office, which gives unlimited rides over a pre-determined number of days within certain zones.
There are several options of transport to Liverpool and Manchester, but the quickest would be by train - find tickets at nationalrail.co.uk or seat61.com. From the station to the stadium, take a taxi.
SA passport holders need a visa to enter the UK. Go to gov.uk/apply-uk-visa and follow the links to set up an interview. A short-term visa costs R1,719...

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