100 Days to Go – Start Your Olympic Vacation Countdown!
In time for this important milestone, VisitBritain, the national tourism agency for England, Scotland and Wales, is reminding Americans that there is still time to be a part of the greatest show on earth: Airline fares are holding steady, affordable accommodation is still available and there are lots of easy ways to save money while you’re there.
Flights
Direct flights are available from major US gateways to London Heathrow at reasonable high-season, summer prices[1]. East Coast flights start at under $1000, while direct flights from the West Coast are currently available from $1200. The flights below are all direct routes, operated by a variety of reputable international air carriers and include taxes and fees[2].
- New York - London: $950 return
- Los Angeles - London: $1289 return
- San Francisco - London: $1280 return
- Miami - London: $992 return
- Dallas - London $1342 return
- Chicago - London: $1035 return
Hotels – Central London
By the time the curtain rises on the Opening Ceremony there will be over 120,000 rooms available in London, ranging from classic hotels, cozy B&B’s, self-catering apartments, university dorms, hostels and even personal home rentals, meaning there will really be something for every budget and taste[3].
Premier Inn – The UK’s fastest growing hotel chain with 30 properties in Greater London. Known for its simple, clean, and comfortable rooms in prime locations, Premier Inn offers great value when traveling to Britain. Throughout the Games period, rooms are available in several central London locations including Stratford, Greenwich, Leicester Square and London County Hall, near the London Eye. From £159 ($252), double room for two people, including tax.
Shaftsbury Hotels Collection – Offering a range of four star properties in central London, the sophisticated Grand Royale London Hyde Park has rooms available from £175 ($278) for a superior deluxe room with English breakfast.
Hotels – One hour from London
Thanks to Britain’s efficient transportation network and London’s close proximity to a number of world-class cities, hotels within an easy hour-long train ride from central London offer great value for the American traveler and a fantastic way to see more of Great Britain[4].
Brighton – One hour by train from London’s Victoria Station
Myhotel Brighton – Funky four-star hotel on the city’s trendy Jubilee Street in the North Laine area, next to the famous Brighton Pavilion. Located just a stroll away from the waterfront and within easy walking distance to the train station. From £89 ($141), double room for two people.
www.myhotels.com/my-hotel-brighton/
Kemp Townhouse – Luxury five-star accommodation in a heritage building in the heart of Kemp Town. Featuring sea views, luxurious interiors and contemporary facilities. From £125 ($199), double room for two people, including breakfast.
Oxford - One hour by train from London’s Paddington Station
Ethos Hotel – New four-star boutique hotel located within easy walking distance to the Oxford University Colleges, shops and restaurants. Prime city centre location and complimentary Wi-Fi. From £138 ($219), double room for two people, including tax.
Remont – Modern, four-star accommodation with 25 bedrooms. Facilities include TV, Telephone, Elevator, Broadband Internet and off-street parking. From £130 ($205) per night, double room for two people, including breakfast.
Top 5 Money Saving Tips:
1) Visit a Live Site: There will be 22 official Live Sites around Britain during the Games, featuring all the latest Olympic news and action. In London, ‘London Live 2012’ will be the biggest free celebration during the Olympics, at three of the city’s most iconic locations: Hyde Park, Victoria Park and Trafalgar Square. Other live sites include Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Leeds, Derry, Swansea and more. Find out if there is a Live Site in the city you’re visiting: www.london2012.com/live-sites
2) Be a part of the London 2012 Festival: The most exciting festival the UK has ever seen will offer more than 10 million free tickets to see over 1000 performances and events. Leading artists from all over the world will come together for this unique event to celebrate London 2012. Whether you love dance, music, theatre, fashion, food, art or film, you’ll find something you can get involved in. www.festival.london2012.com
3) Buy before you fly: Check out VisitBritain’s online shop where you can buy BritRail passes to save money on rail travel around Britain and other money saving passes like The London Pass, which can save you up to £500 on entrance fees and gives you priority access to busy attractions! www.visitbritainshop.us
4) Don’t forget about the Paralympics: Get into the spirit at one of the world’s most inspirational sporting events. There are still tickets available and many London hotels with great rates available. The period in between the Olympics and the Paralympics will also be a great time to see the city dressed for the celebrations and experience the London 2012 Festival with less of a crowd.
5) Eat on the cheap: Ask your hotel if your rate includes breakfast (many do), look out for delicious fixed-price pub lunches and take advantage of London’s amazing parks, by packing a picnic for some people watching! Hint: The food halls at Harrods and Fortnam & Mason are great choices for something gourmet, while Britain staple, Marks & Spencer offers equally delicious food that is a bit more wallet friendly.
[1] Sample flight prices valid as of April 17, 2012
[2] Sample flight dates: July 22 – August 1, 2012
[3] Sample London hotel prices valid as of April 17, 2012 for accommodation from July 27 throughout August 2012
[4] Sample hotel prices valid as of April 17, 2012 for travel between July 27 throughout August 2012
Assets to download
Download images in this article
Download DOC version of this article