Concert, match, or festival:
how to plan your flight around the event and not be late

Traveling to a concert or match in another city isn’t just about "buying tickets"; it involves a whole slew of logistics: you need to make it to the event on time, avoid losing money on accommodation, and avoid ruining the experience with all the running around. Planning your flight around the event is easier than it seems: the key is to calculate the time from the start and end of the event, not the price listed. Here’s how it works in practice.

Arrival: reserve before departure is your insurance

When flying to a concert or a match, arriving on the day of the event is always a risk. Even if your flight is delayed by an hour, you might not make it in time for the show. So the rule is simple: arrive at least 4-5 hours before the start. This allows time to get from the airport, check in, find the entrance, and calmly grab a drink and find a seat.

If the event starts at 7:00 PM and you arrive at 4:00 PM, that’s fine. If it’s at 2:00 PM, that’s risky. Ideally, you’ll get a good night’s sleep, get to the venue without rushing, and be in good shape. But if that’s not possible, at least avoid arriving two hours before the event — that’s almost guaranteed to be stressful.

Departure: When to leave after the final

The most common mistake is booking a return flight immediately after the event, expecting to "make it." But a concert or match rarely ends exactly at the scheduled time: encores, overtime, crowds at the exit — all of this delays the schedule. Plus, you have to get to the airport, go through security, and board the plane.

Rule: fly no earlier than 3-4 hours after the scheduled end of the event. If the concert ends at 10:00 PM, a 1:00 AM flight is fine, but it’s better to take a morning flight. Flying late at night after the event is a bad idea: you’ll be tired, and if the event is delayed, you might be late. A direct flight is your friend here: a connection increases the risk of missing the second leg.

What does this look like in practice?

Imagine you’re going to a concert of your favorite band in Moscow. The event starts at 7:00 PM and ends around 10:00 PM. You live in St. Petersburg. Option A: fly in the morning on the day of the concert and leave on a red-eye flight at 12:30 AM. Option B: fly in the evening before, stay overnight in a hostel, and leave the next day at 10:00 AM.

In Option A, you save on accommodation, but spend the entire day lugging around your luggage, and after the concert, you rush to the airport, risking being late. In Option B, you stroll leisurely, get a good night’s sleep, and depart without rushing. The price difference is a couple thousand, but the experience is incomparable.

Who is better off taking an extra night?

An extra night in the city is not a luxury, but a sensible insurance policy. It’s necessary if:

• the event ends late (after 22:00);
• you are traveling with children or elderly people;
• you don’t have experience with quick transfers;
• You don’t just want to "make it," but to have fun.

If you’re on a budget, you can look for an inexpensive hostel or apartment for a night. This is cheaper than losing tickets to an event or buying a new plane ticket at the last minute.

Who is not suitable for this approach?

If the event is short (for example, an exhibition or a match that ends at 6:00 PM) and you’re flying for one day, you can avoid an extra night. Also, if you live in a city with direct overnight flights and are willing to take the risk, departing after the event is possible. However, if the event lasts several hours or you’re traveling to a festival with a day-long program, it’s better to plan an overnight stay.

The most common mistake

The biggest mistake is choosing a flight based solely on price, ignoring the event time. For example, you see a cheap ticket for 11:00 PM, but the concert ends at 10:30 PM. Technically, you’ll make it, but in reality, you won’t: the drive to the airport will take at least an hour, and check-in closes 40 minutes before departure. As a result, you either miss the finale or don’t fly at all.

The second mistake is not taking into account that the event may be delayed. Encores, overtime, technical breaks — all of this shifts the time. So, allow for some leeway.

Checklist: How to Plan a Flight Around an Event

1. Determine the exact start and end times of the event (check the organizer’s website).

2. Calculate the travel time from the airport to the event location and back.

3. Arrival: please allow at least 4-5 hours before departure.

4. Departure: at least 3 – 4 hours after completion.

5. If the event is late, consider staying overnight.

6. Give preference to direct flights to reduce the risk.

7. Compare the options: a cheap ticket with risk vs. a slightly more expensive one, but safer.

8. Make sure you have a backup plan in case of a flight delay.

What to do next

Now that you understand the logic, all that’s left is to find suitable flights. Browse options based on event time, not just price. Use departure and arrival time filters to filter out unsuitable flights. And don’t forget to have a buffer: it’s better to arrive early and depart late than to stress. You can find tickets for event dates — it’s easy to compare flights by time.

Once your criteria are clear, open cheap flights and compare several options that fit your scenario.

Frequently asked questions

How much time should I allow for travel from the airport to the concert hall?

On average, it takes 1 to 1.5 hours, but it depends on the city and transportation. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, allow more time; in smaller towns, less. It’s best to research the route in advance and add 30 minutes for traffic.

What to do if the event ends late and the flight is in 2 hours?

If you’ve already purchased such a ticket, try to cancel it and take a later flight. If this isn’t possible, call a taxi immediately and warn the driver of the urgency. However, it’s best to avoid such situations by planning your flight ahead of time.

Should I buy tickets to an event in advance if I haven’t bought my plane tickets yet?

Yes, but first, decide on your travel dates and check flight availability. Otherwise, you might buy tickets for an event and then not find a suitable flight. It’s better to plan your logistics first and then buy everything.