You managed to get a ticket for the Olympics this summer and you’ve already bought a few Wenlock and Mandeville toys. Great – lucky you! You may think the hardest part is over, but think again. Have you considered how you’re getting to and from the venue? Remember, you’ll be just one of millions of ordinary Londoners and Olympic ticket-holders trying to get around the city during the Games.
Firstly, forget about driving. London’s traffic is bad enough at the best of times, and with lane closures in place for the event, it’s only set to become worse. More than that, the only parking available anywhere near Olympic venues is reserved – rightfully – for disabled drivers.
While London’s public transport system of underground trains (the Tube), buses, DLR (Docklands Light Railway), cable car (the Emirates Air Line) and overground trains is undoubtedly world-class, it’s going to be under some serious strain in late July and the first half of August. At the very least, stations, trains and buses will be packed. Inevitably there’ll be queues, delays and discomfort. If you want to avoid them, plan ahead.
Where possible try to travel around the city on foot or by bike. Free, secure, managed cycle parking is provided at all London 2012 venues, so you won’t have to worry about theft or vandalism. If you don’t have a bicycle of your own, London’s Boris Bikes offer a handy option.
Walking or cycling won’t be an option all the time – you may be running late having spent a little too much time enjoying lunch, or the famous British rain may have struck – so you’ll have to brave the public transport system.
Luckily, help is at hand. The Olympic organising committee and Transport For London have teamed up to produce a handy journey planner for spectators. You can use the site to input your starting point – for example, the address of your hotel – and the Olympic venue you’re heading to. The planner offers the best route(s) and an estimated time of arrival.
Keep in mind that, while the system provides live travel information, it can’t tell you if the trains are too full, so you’ll want to leave with plenty of time to spare.
Cyclists can use the same site to plan a route by selecting the “Cycle” tab at the bottom right of the planner.
The Get Ahead of the Games website is handy for checking on changes to public transport during the Games and also has heaps more travel advice for getting to and from the events.
Read all our Olympic Games coverage:
You don’t have to break a sweat to win gold! Pan for it!
Get up close and personal with Olympians at Madame Tussauds
Oddest places to stay during the Olympic Games
Olympic county Dorset’s cultural Olympiad
Torch coral at The Deep – a natural Olympic Torch for London2012
Arrive at the Games, Olympian style
5 things you didn’t know about the Olympic Games
Olympic mascots through the years [pictures]
Where to watch the Olympics if you don’t have a ticket
Scale an Olympic venue – the O2 Arena
London’s new cable car – the Emirates Air Line
#FollowFriday: Olympic Tweeps to follow on Twitter
Ways to avoid the Olympics in London this summer
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
(Image: Get Ahead of the Games)
