Manchester United fans are finding multiple routes to Bilbao to ensure they are in the desired destination for the Europa League final next week.
Thousands of Manchester United fans are preparing to set off on their travels for another memorable European trip following their beloved football club.
Unfortunately, getting to Bilbao has its challenges because there is an argument to be had over whether the city is suitable to host this year’s Europa League final, granted the daunting task has been made more difficult by the fact it’s an all-English final.
There aren’t enough direct flights to Bilbao for every fan travelling to the fan, and some will be adding to their mileage despite being ticketless.
That is what some of these people are willing to do to follow Manchester United. Where there’s a will, there’s a way will be the motto uttered by many over the coming days.
5 interesting routes to Bilbao for the Europa League final
The Europa League final is just eight days away.
This writer will be embarking on a flight from Dublin to Bordeaux before driving from the French airport to Bilbao, which should take approximately three and a half hours in a rented car.
It’s not the most daunting trip, granted everything goes smoothly as it doesn’t compare to the lengths others are going to make the Europa League final.
United in Focus have spoken to a range of United fans travelling to Bilbao for the final. They all had different stories about how they were getting there.
Take Martin Miller as an example, who explained: “I went to Spurs away in February alone. My Dad was on holiday, and my son was working. On the train back to Manchester, I was convinced we would play them in the final. I posted on Twitter and said I am buying my flights now.
“There was a flight from Liverpool on Monday 19th to Barcelona, returning on the Friday for £55 return. I am based on the M62 in the middle of Manchester and Liverpool airport so it’s not a big deal. My plan was that if we don’t make it, I’ll have five days in Lloret. Since we made the final I booked a flight on Tuesday morning to Santander. I am staying here from Tuesday to Friday. I fly back to Barcelona on a Friday morning. We have gotten our 4 flights and hotel (apartment) for £221 each. I have to do it on the cheap as my dad is retired and my son is an apprentice. We haven’t missed a game in Europe this season. It’s the first time I have done the lot.”
Fellow United fan Jonny Wharton also getting ahead of the crazy price hikes by booking his final trip well in advance. He said: “We’ve got a really good route in and out as we booked really early and had a few annual leave days from work trips. Plus, living in Glasgow now and I have access to three decent airports!
“So we are flying to Santander from Edinburgh on the day of the game and then getting the bus to Bilbao. Our hotel is just outside the city in a place called Durango. Coming back, we are staying in San Sebastián for a further two nights and then have a direct flight to Edinburgh from there. Lucked out with that one.”
Irah Woollery is taking a route that involves flying from Manchester to Barcelona on Monday with an overnight stay in Catalonia before getting a train to San Sebastian. From San Sebastian, Irah, who thinks Sir Jim Ratcliffe should be doing more for travelling fans, will then get a coach to Bilbao.
One United fan on Twitter shared his itinerary plans which were disrupted by airport strikes in Brussels. He went on to share his plan about buying a cheap car and driving from Preston to Brussels before a flight to Bilbao on Wednesday morning.
Other fans are offering car spaces to help mutuals get to their desired destination.
We also came across a United fan who is flying from the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Singapore and Zurich to Bilbao. That is what you call dedication.
Post-match ceremony
If the match concludes during normal time, the post-match trophy ceremony and accompanying celebrations are expected to finish around 23:30. If the match goes to extra time or penalties, expect the action to continue on the pitch until 00:15.
It will be a late night regardless with many fans without accommodation in Bilbao, making it potentially difficult to get to neighbouring towns.
One thing is certain, the lack of beds is not stopping the thousands from travelling next week.
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