06 Aug 9 Travel Tips for Your Team
Every year we work with traveling sports team and help them get their teams safely to tournaments. After years of working with these teams we have compiled the following list of travel tips for parents and coaches responsible for booking travel. Enjoy!
Team Travel Tip No. 1: Get Out the Map
Try to find out where your tournament is going to be held. It’s probably too early to know the actual dates of the tournament, but you should be able find out where the tournament will be located.
Look up the area using Google maps once you know the location. Not only will this tool show you the area of the town, but if the place has a website you’ll get a link to that too. Look for hotels, restaurants, even attractions and build a list of potentials around the area where the tournament will be.
Team Travel Tip No. 2: Plan Your Route
Using Google maps you can put in your home address and find out how many miles you’ll have to get an estimate and travel on how long it will take to get there. If you’re traveling across several states to your tournament, this can be an invaluable tool. If you’re traveling across several states to your tournament, this can be an invaluable tool. Better to arrive early than late or maybe even miss a game. Once you have an accurate head count we can help you understand the cost to use group transportation service such as charter bus New England. Often times this will not only save money over individual cars driving but will allow your entire team to travel together.
Team Travel Tip No. 3: Save Money on Food
When you’re staying someplace on the road, look for hotels/motels that offer a free breakfast. This will really save you some money during an extended stay. Also ask the hotel staff if they know of any local food bargains you can take advantage of. Ask hotels when you book if they have any relationship with restaurants or if they can offer you any coupons with local establishments. If you just ask, often they have them.
Team Travel Tip No. 4: Save Money on Accommodation
A lot of hotel/motels limit the number of people to a room, usually four. We have seen some that are mini-suites that will allow up to eight. This can really save some cash when you divide the cost between families. Be sure to make your hotel reservation early to take advantage of bargains. No matter where you book or what kind of room, when you call ask for the group reservations specialists. Many hotels have someone that does this work and is authorized to offer better deals for those booking multiple rooms. Sometimes doing this it can be less expensive to book more rooms at a heavily discounted rate.
Hint: You can make sure to avoid those “extra” charges by asking the hotel/motel to turn off the ability to make outside calls (most will have cell phones). Most hotel/motels will also be able to restrict “pay-for-view” movies too.
Team Travel Tip No. 5: Insurance
Consider purchasing travel insurance that might protect you if for some reason you need to cancel your trip. If your child might become ill or injured before an out-of-town tournament begins, you never know. Sites such as Travelguard.com or Insuremytrip.com can be a possible way to go. Make sure to read the fine print to make sure the coverage meets your needs.
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