As England prepares to face Spain in the highly anticipated Euro 2024 final, a massive surge of fans is trying to make their way to Berlin for the Sunday showdown.
However, securing tickets and making last-minute travel arrangements have proven to be significant challenges, with prices soaring and availability dwindling rapidly.
The Ticket Hunt
The first and most formidable hurdle for fans eager to witness the final in person is obtaining a ticket. The match is already sold out on UEFA’s official website, leaving many supporters to turn to alternative sources.
The Football Association (FA) has a limited allocation of tickets reserved for England Supporters Travel Club members, which will be available on Friday following a ballot process. These tickets are prioritized for fans who have attended games abroad and accumulated loyalty points.
Despite the limited official avenues, fans are warned about the risks of purchasing tickets from unauthorized third parties. Tickets are being resold through various agencies, with prices starting at £1,300 for the cheapest seats and VIP packages fetching as much as £67,000.
UEFA has issued a stern warning that tickets bought from secondary markets may be fraudulent and could be canceled at any time, potentially leaving fans barred from entry or ejected from the stadium.
UEFA’s website states, “Tickets purchased from unauthorized third parties, websites or agencies, as well as on social media sites, or from touts may be canceled by UEFA at any time and fans are likely to be refused entry or be ejected from the stadium.”
For those unable to secure stadium tickets but still wanting to soak up the atmosphere in Berlin, UEFA has set up official fan zones near the German parliament and the Brandenburg Gate in the city center.
Large screens will broadcast the match, allowing fans to enjoy the game without the need for tickets.
The Flight Frenzy
The next challenge for fans is getting to Berlin. The usual two-hour flight from the UK has become a costly endeavor following England’s semi-final victory.
For instance, a KLM flight from Manchester to Berlin Brandenburg via Amsterdam on July 13 was priced at £954, a significant jump from £223 a week later.
However, some relatively affordable options remain, such as a Scandinavian Airlines flight from Heathrow to Berlin via Copenhagen, listed at £268.
Fans like Stephen, an England supporter, have found creative solutions due to the high costs.
He shared, “Flights to Germany were too expensive, so instead we looked at neighboring countries and found the cheapest option was a flight to Poznan in Poland. We have a six-hour flight with a stopover in Warsaw, and from Poznan, we will get a train straight to Berlin.”
Airlines have responded to the increased demand by adding additional flights. Ryanair and Eurowings have both announced extra flights to Berlin in time for the final.
British Airways is considering additional flights and using larger aircraft to accommodate more fans. However, EasyJet has stated that it has “no plans” to add extra flights.
Some fans, like Scott Hatley from Southend-on-Sea, took a gamble and booked flights for the final before the tournament started, hoping England would make it. His tickets, which cost £84, are now seen as a bargain compared to the current prices.
For those with deep pockets, chartering a private jet is an option. A private jet for four people from Farnborough Airport in Hampshire costs about £11,220 through PrivateFly.
Train and Ferry Alternatives
Traveling by train presents another viable option. According to Mark Smith of The Man in Seat 61, fans can take a Eurostar from London to Brussels, followed by a German ICE train to Cologne and another ICE to Berlin.
Another suggested route is the ferry from Harwich to Hoek van Holland near The Hague in the Netherlands, followed by a train to Berlin. This option costs about £83 for the ferry and £112 for the train.
“At short notice, Harwich-Hoek is actually quite good,” Smith explained, adding that sleeper trains from the Netherlands to Berlin might also have some last-minute availability.
The Road Trip
Driving to Berlin is an option for fans willing to endure a 13-15 hour journey from the UK. Ferries depart from Harwich, Newcastle, and Hull to destinations in the Netherlands, allowing fans to continue their journey by road.
On Thursday, ferry crossings for two people in a Ford Fiesta were listed between £200 and £500. Alternatively, drivers from southern England can take the ferry or Channel Tunnel shuttle from Dover to Calais in northern France, followed by a 10-hour drive to Berlin. Prices for the shuttle carrying cars were around £130.
The Coach Option
For the truly committed, coaches offer a budget-friendly but lengthy travel option. Flixbus operates a service from Stratford in east London to Berlin Central Station, taking around 26 hours for £150 one-way.
The service is also available from Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, and Bristol. Coaches are running throughout the weekend to various Berlin locations, including Alexanderplatz, about half an hour from the stadium. Prices range from £150 to £250.
Accommodation Challenges
Upon arrival in Berlin, fans face the challenge of finding accommodation, with hotel prices significantly inflated due to the final. A room for Sunday night at a hotel in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, near the stadium, was listed at £252 compared to £63 a week later.
For those looking to save on accommodation, Berlin’s vibrant bar scene offers an alternative. Many bars stay open much later than in the UK, and some never close.
Notable 24-hour bars include Bierbörse near the Olympic Stadium, AM to PM in the central Mitte district, and Bei Schlawinchen in the trendy Neukölln area. This option allows fans to celebrate or commiserate without worrying about hotel bookings.
The Final Countdown
As England fans scramble to secure tickets and make travel arrangements for the Euro 2024 final, the excitement and anticipation continue to build. Despite the challenges, the determination of England supporters to witness history in Berlin is palpable.
Whether by plane, train, car, or coach, fans are finding innovative ways to be part of this momentous occasion. With the final just days away, the stage is set for an unforgettable clash between England and Spain, both on and off the field.
