Want to Go to the Olympics? Part 1

There is less than 100 days until the opening ceremony of the London Olympics, but people can still get to the Games, which run July 27 to Aug. 12, if they’re willing to spend a little more money, be flexible when it comes to flight times and crowds, and don’t wait a moment longer.

Are There Still Tickets? Yes. Though most tickets have been allocated, some are still available for certain competitions, including some basketball, gymnastics and volleyball tournaments, according to a recent search on the internet.

Even without tickets, visitors can watch several events live by staking out a good spot on the sidelines. The Olympic marathon will pass such landmarks as the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace. The men’s and women’s road cycling races will begin on the Mall in central London and head southwest through the city and out to Surrey for several circuits around Box Hill. And Weymouth will be welcoming 60,000 to 70,000 visitors a day to watch sailing events from its shores.

If all else fails, the BBC is running official “big screens” around the country — from Norwich to Plymouth and from Dover to Middlesborough — with live coverage of the events.

What About Flights? Flights are still available to London during the Olympics, but fares are high, about 13 percent higher than this time last year. Act fast, as fares are only expected to rise as the Games near.

Travelers can usually find some relief by flying into an alternative European airport and making their way to London by train or a low-cost carrier like Ryanair — although if you’re late booking your ticket, even this strategy will prove tricky.

There is a special rail pass BritRail London Plus Pass that may be a convenent way to get around London area during the games.

Continued on Thursday

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