Important advice for Besiktas trip

As well as this advice, please visit the following link for travel advice for Turkey: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey

Passports and visas

British passport holders need a visa to enter Turkey. This can be obtained online in advance from www.evisa.gov.tr or for £20 at the visas booth at the airport or border crossing. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after entry.  However, the visa on arrival service is likely to be phased out at some point in the near future.

Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid in Turkey, so travel insurance is essential, even if you're only going for one night - it could save you a lot of money if you get into difficulties.

It is illegal not to carry some form of photographic ID in Turkey. Carry a photocopy of your passport with you at all times.

If your passport is lost or stolen whilst in Istanbul then you will need to obtain an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) from the British Consulate General in Istanbul.

Getting to the stadium

NOTE: The city of Istanbul have decided to provide buses from Sultanahmet Square from 4pm (local time), at a cost of €10 return per person. The buses will be escorted by the police, both ways, to and from the stadium.

Istanbul police advise against using the Metro. Alternative bus lines are available, a list can be found via http://www.ataturkolimpiyatstadi.net/.

Taxis from Taksim Square to the stadium will cost approximately 50-60 Turkish Lira and takes 40 minutes (depending on traffic). Make sure the taxi metre is switched on when you set off.

Please see appendix 1 for map of Ataturk Olympic Stadium at the foot of this page.

At the stadium

Entry to the stadium is through turnstile "R" which are in the South Stand.

Access can be slow due to an outer first search on the perimeter fence line then outside the turnstiles entrance "R".

To avoid delay entering the stadium it is advised to arrive two hours before kick-off.

Turnstiles are due to open at 6pm (local time).

Similar to ground regulations in England, below are a list of prohibited items, which are part of restrictions of entry to the stadium:

- No alcohol
- No flags with poles
- No flags or banners that indicate political statements or abusive language
- Fireworks, flares, pyros
- Megaphones or drums
- No food, drink, bottles, cans or drinking glasses
- No large belts, chains or objects which can be thrown or used as weapons

Tips

Generally crime levels are low, but street robbery and pick-pocketing are common in the major tourist areas of Istanbul. Only carry what you need and leave spare cash and valuables in hotel safety deposits.

In Turkey it is an offence to insult the Turkish nation or the national flag, or to deface or tear up currency.

Smoking is prohibited on public transport and in other public areas like stadiums, playgrounds, cafes, bars and restaurants. You can be fined if you are caught smoking in a designated smoke-free area.

We recommend that you purchase bottled water to drink which is readily available from local shops, hotels etc.

Special notes

No coins or lighters will be allowed into the stadium and the stadium provides charity boxes at the turnstiles to put coins into. It is advised not to take any coins or lighters.

The south stand housing Liverpool fans does not have any roof protection.

There are catering bars serving hot and cold drinks, food and snacks - no alcohol, UEFA match.

Liverpool supporters will be held back post-match between 20-30 minutes for the home fans to disperse.

Liverpool supporters parking will be in front of the entrance turnstile "R". This includes any cars, mini-buses and coaches. Anyone arriving by taxi can drop-off outside the entrance to the parking area, which is dedicated to Liverpool supporters only.

As many Liverpool supporters will know, the Ataturk Olympic Stadium is outside Istanbul and it could take you up to one-and-a-half hours to get there from the city centre so it is advised to leave early. Also there are no other facilities in the location of the stadium.

The stadium is a no smoking area, and anyone found smoking will be removed by the police and will be subject to an on the spot fine.

General information at the stadium

Allow plenty of time to travel from the city to the stadium.

The stadium is a no-smoking area, and on the spot fines can be applied.

No coins or lighters are allowed into the stadium.

There is a metro system from the city to the stadium; however, the police advise Liverpool supporters not to use it.

With the stadium not having any roof or side walls, supporters will be very much exposed to the weather conditions, and with it being February it is advised that appropriate clothing and footwear be worn. Temperatures will still be between 5-8°C.

Flags and banners are permitted (without poles) but no bigger than 2m x 1m (approx.).

Wheelchair users have their entrance gate to the left hand side of the Liverpool supporters general entrance turnstile "R" and is in the Liverpool section.

First aid and medical provision is located at the rear of the Liverpool sector near to the entrance turnstile and clearly marked.

The post-match hold back of Liverpool supporters could be up to 30 minutes, depending on the speed of home fans dispersing.

Due to the location of the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, there are no bars, restaurants, shops, Besiktas club shop or any other building for miles.

Relevant British Embassy address and telephone numbers

British Consulate General,
Mesrutiyet Caddesi No.34,
Tepebasi,
Beyoglu,
Istanbul,
Turkey.

Tel: 0090 212 334 6400

Emergency services numbers

Public Emergency Line: 112
Police: 155

On behalf of Liverpool Football Club, we hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip to Istanbul.

Appendix one