TRAFALGAR TRAILS - Time is running out

Jamila Gordon, Contributor

This is the first in a 10-part series by the multi-award winning Trafalgar Travel Limited that will inform readers about their concerns related to travel to and from next year's Olympic Games in London.

July 27 to August 12, 2012 will be the 30th time this modern quadrennial event will occur. Unfortunately, in order to get your summer experience under way, there are a few minor details we have to handle before we can leave Jamaica, like event tickets, visas and airline tickets.

To be honest, if you haven't already secured your ticket for the event, it is going to be very difficult but there is hope because it is still early and people may cancel. Plus as the adage goes "nothing ventured, nothing gained". If you are looking for tickets to athletics events be prepared to pay between US$44-US$1,389 per day depending on where in the stadium you sit and on which day you watch. The athletics events by far are the most expensive and most popular of the games, so if you are interested in other sports, then that's good news for your budget, be prepared to pay between US$44-US$207.

The only way to purchase a ticket is to go through an authorised ticket seller. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) has appointed a select number of companies to ensure the equitable distribution of event tickets. Cartan Tours is responsible for the Caribbean, South and Central America and New Zealand. A bid is placed with Cartan Tours and ticket requests from now until December 31 will be prioritised by month received and each month's requests will be weighted equally as a group in the ticket selection process to occur January 2012. All ticket requests received after January 1, 2012 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

You will receive confirmation of the tickets they were able to confirm for you within 15 days after they receive your request. It is important to note that Cartan Tours charges a additional processing fee of up to US$87 (depending on the actual face value of the ticket).

After looking about securing an event ticket, your next task is to secure a United Kingdom visitor's visa. This process is fairly simple but time-consuming and will require you to go to the consulate for an interview and make payment via credit card. The cost involved is US$125 for a six-month visa or US$237 for a one-year visa. If you don't want to hassle with the application and scheduling the appointment date, we have very experienced agents who can make the process seamless.

If you already have a visa to enter the United Kingdom, it is now time to start securing your flight. There are a few options to get you from Kingston or Montego Bay to London Heathrow or London Gatwick. British Airways flies three times a week non-stop from Kingston to Gatwick. Virgin Atlantic flies twice a week non-stop from Montego Bay to Gatwick. If you have a United States of America visa or passport, then the American Airlines-British Airways option through Miami is open to you daily to Heathrow.

If you have a Canadian visa, you can consider going through Toronto daily to Heathrow. Airline base fares range from US$680-US$2,250 for economy class (taxes and surcharges to be added). If you decide to wait until closer to summer to get your tickets not only will the air ticket prices double (if any are left), but you will end up with some interesting routings like Kingston-Florida-Atlanta-London.

Once the visa and flights have been sorted, it's time to figure out where you will stay!

Located in nine countries, Trafalgar Travel's technologically savvy software's access to negotiated rates and award-winning service gives you security in knowing we are truly your international travel partners.

Jamila Gordon, marketing and public relations manager, Trafalgar Travel Limited, 14 Garelli Avenue, Kingston 10; Tel: (876) 968-9150, (876)929-0074 ext 9150; email: jamila@thetrafalgartravel.com.