Arsenal supporters set to fork out thousands as prices soar for Champions League final in Budapest
Arsenal supporters hoping to witness the Champions League final are having to fork out thousands for the trip to Budapest.
Following Tuesday's 2-1 aggregate triumph over Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals, thousands of Gunners fans have rushed to secure travel arrangements for the showpiece event in the Hungarian capital.
Return flights from London have skyrocketed to almost £1,200 overnight, with the most affordable direct options already exceeding £900, a figure expected to climb further in the coming days.
Accommodation is an equally daunting challenge, as Booking.com reports more than 90 per cent of available rooms in Budapest have already been snapped up.
Even before factoring in match tickets, supporters face costs nearing £2,000 simply to reach the venue.
Ticket prices for the contest are poised to become the costliest in the competition's history.
The premium category one seats carry a price tag of £819 - nearly equivalent to an adult season ticket at the Emirates Stadium.
Category two tickets will cost supporters £560, while category three seats are priced at £155.
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Those seeking the most affordable entry can purchase "fan first" tickets for just over £60.
Restricted view options are available across all tiers, priced at £655, £448 and £120 respectively.
For supporters unwilling to pay the steep airfares, a marathon 42-hour return coach journey to Budapest offers a more economical alternative at £269.
However, finding affordable accommodation remains problematic even for budget-conscious travellers.
The cheapest available beds in the city are now located in hostels, yet even this basic option will cost Gunners fans upwards of £250.
Several hotels have also reportedly cancelled pre-existing reservations, leaving some travellers scrambling to find alternatives at inflated prices.
Midfielder Declan Rice has called for Arsenal to travel in their numbers and descend on the Hungarian capital.
He said: "Budapest, I want every Arsenal fan out there. 200,000 of you, come out.
"Let's try and do it because we're going to need all the support, all the energy and let's make it really special."
Speaking about the impact of Arsenal fans in the semi-final, Rice said: "This era of Arsenal fans, I know people who have been there from the start have had a lot of ups and downs.
"But I'm sure this is really up there for them. So, I'm happy we've done it for the club and for this set of players and our manager because everyone deserves it, so, so happy."
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