Arsenal fans are facing a logistical nightmare as they plan to attend the Champions League final in Budapest on 30 May. With direct flights from London costing up to £1,500 and hotel rooms scarce, this could be the most expensive final in history. However, creative travel solutions may help supporters reach the Puskas Arena.
Travel Challenges and Creative Solutions
Wizz Air, headquartered in Hungary, is doubling its flights from London to Budapest on 29 May to eight, with six flights on the Saturday. Tom Hall, a travel expert at Lonely Planet and Arsenal season-ticket holder, suggests alternatives: "Budapest itself is a write-off by air, but it's possible to get closer and finish off by train. Some fans have booked to Bratislava and Vienna, while I saw sub-£200 direct returns to Bucharest, a mere 15-hour bus or train journey away."
There is also a bus from London to Budapest with return tickets under £300, but the journey takes 48 hours, requiring an overnight stop in Nuremberg.
Ticket Allocation and Costs
Arsenal has received an allocation of 16,824 tickets, about 27% of the 61,400 capacity. Tickets are distributed via a ballot prioritizing season-ticket holders, with prices from €70 to €950. Uefa prohibits resale on secondary platforms, but tickets are listed from £4,000.
Uefa pledged 39,000 tickets to competing clubs' fans and the public, with the rest for officials and sponsors.
Accommodation and Post-Match Travel
Accommodation in Budapest is scarce and expensive. Hall suggests sleeper trains to and from Bucharest: "Staying up until the small hours on Sunday is not out of the question." A potential trophy parade in London on 31 May adds further complexity for returning fans.
Arsenal says nothing is confirmed, but finding a flight back by lunchtime Sunday is another hurdle.
