Top 8 business travel tips to beat the Olympics

As hundreds of thousands of visitors prepare to descend on London between July 27 and August 12, business travellers will be trying to figure out how to combat the inevitable congestion.

London 2012 might be the highlight of the sporting calendar, but it doesn’t mean fun and games for everyone. That’s why we’ve rounded up our top tips for business travellers travelling to and from London this summer:

1)     Avoid hefty airline fares

Fares on remaining seats in Business Class are now sky high – even when flying via Europe and beyond – so try to avoid booking last minute flights. Try to drive where you can. Although the roads will still be busy, it’s probably the cheapest way to travel over the next couple of months.  

2)     Expect airport upheaval

If you’re already booked on a flight, be prepared for chaos at the airport. There are likely to be flight delays, cancellations and ridiculous queues. Heathrow is expecting such an influx of passengers, for example, that it’s putting on a temporary terminal for athletes and is bringing in 1,000 volunteers to help travellers get from A to B.

3)     Avoid the tube

As if London wasn’t busy enough, it’s about to get even busier and the public transport system will be groaning under the pressure. There’s no avoiding the crowds so try to stay clear of the underground system, which will be even busier, smellier and dirtier than usual. The best plan is to walk or, if you need to get from the London Eye area to Greenwich, take The Thames Clipper – a scheduled ferry. 

4)     Get train travel savvy

An extra 80 rail passengers are expected to arrive in London for the Games so, if you’re travelling by train, make sure you’ve reserved a seat. Train fares will also be high but fair enough if you’ve already booked well in advance. The best times to travel are either super early in the morning or overnight. These services will still be busy but will be nothing like the chaos during peak times. You’re also far more likely to have a pleasant journey from within the quiet confines of First Class.

5)     Keep abreast of changes

Listen to the radio for news and travel updates. A special website – getaheadofthegames.com – will help you plan your journey according to the expected upheaval and tfl.gov.uk is great for travel alerts relating to the tube.

6)     Protect your laptop and valuables

Keep your belongings beside you at all times and be aware of who’s around you. Remember that thieves will see the crowds as a prime opportunity to try their luck.

7)     Reschedule unimportant meetings

If travelling to London during July and August isn’t essential then reschedule where you can as it’s certainly not the best time to visit if you’re not watching the Games. There are likely to be queues for everything, from food and shops to banking and regular attractions – a nightmare for anyone trying to go about their daily business.

8)     Use teleconferencing

If you really can’t reschedule, why not suggest tele or video conferencing? There are plenty of meeting rooms available to hire with these types of facilities – like at 23 Melville Street, for example.

For more information on conferencing at 23 Melville Street, contact lynda@23melvillestreet.co.uk or call 0131 240 3888.