Travelling to the Olympics

The Olympics is a spectacle to behold in its own right, and fans of the games regularly plan for years in advance to see the ceremonies in person. However, many are intimidated by the incredible crowds that are drawn by the games and are dissuaded from seeing one of these once-in-a-lifetime events. Though a trip to the Olympic games requires a notable amount of planning and patience, you will not be disappointed should you choose to go. Consider some of the following tips for traveling to the Olympics to ensure that you have a memorable and exciting journey.

Early Ceremonies
If you have the flexibility to arrive in London before the commencement of the games themselves, set aside time to see the Olympic torch and the opening ceremonies. Getting to the city early will give you a leg up on other tourists. In the week preceding the games, the torch is visiting every London borough, giving you ample opportunities to see this essential Olympic tradition. Keep in mind that even these early events will be busy, and you may need to navigate large groups of people to see them. However, once you’ve become accustomed to the London geography, you’ll have no problem getting to other events.

Leave the Car at Home
Residents of the UK and international visitors alike may be tempted to bring or rent a car in London, in order to have more flexibility in getting around. This is to be discouraged on the account of security regulations, increased congestion, and road events. After all, some of the Olympic events will require road closures, and the amount of visitors in general will make parking nearly impossible. Consider taking advantage of London’s world class public transportation. You may be surprised at how much less complicated your trip will become by taking trains or walking to each event.

Free Events
Speaking of road events, a number of different competitions will be held on London roads and are therefore free to spectators. This means that the crowds will be considerable at all of these events, and travelers should plan accordingly. Take advantage of the Olympics schedule to arrive at each event with time to spare. Additionally, these events should definitely be attended either on foot or by bike. Public parking (for those brave enough to take a car anyway) will be nearly impossible. Don’t miss these special competitions that are free to the public and guaranteed to be exciting.

Plan Ahead
The crowds in London this summer should not convince the long time fan of the Olympics that they are better viewed from a home television rather than in person. The official Olympics committee has released a number of resources for visitors to London, intended to help travelers plan ahead, reach all the events on time, and move as easily as possible from game to game. The London Olympics should be truly memorable and one that is not to be missed. Make sure that your experience is the best it can be by planning ahead, using public transportation, and taking advantage of free events.

Author Bio: Abbas Hussain, Blogger who talks about the Olympics and Minibus Hire for companies like Plaza Travel