Tips for Traveling to the Super Bowl

Super Bowl 50 is being held at Levi’s Stadium in California, on Feb. 7, when the Denver Broncos face off against the Carolina Panthers. You, however, probably already know that if you’re considering making the trek to Santa Clara for the big event. Attending a Super Bowl can be a once-in-a-lifetime event, so you want to be sure you do it right.

The first thing to remember is there are thousands upon thousands of other football fans who are attending one of the biggest sporting events of the year, so don’t go in thinking this will be easy. There’ll be large crowds and overinflated travel prices, but that shouldn’t scare you away from the experience, but rather make you more aware of what you need to look for when planning. Many budget airlines and hotels hold special Super Bowl packages that can make your trip both more affordable and convenient. Do keep in mind, however, the most expensive part of your trip will more than likely be your Super Bowl tickets, especially the longer you wait to purchase them.

Take advantage of all the free fan experiences you can. Many of the Super Bowl sponsors host tailgate-type block parties and other similar events all weekend. Verizon is presenting Super Bowl City this year, where you’ll find lots to do right in the heart of San Francisco, about an hour or so drive from Santa Clara. In addition to booths and displays from nationwide brands and your favorite teams, you’ll also find the same from local establishments, giving you the chance to try local flavors and specialties.

Because of the large amount of travelers in the area, you’ll want to be sure to give yourself an overabundance of time for every part of your trip. Not only will traffic in the area be congested, but airports, hotels and pedestrian traffic will be crowded as well.

Count in the extra security measures that will take up added minutes and you’ll see the time needed to get from one step to the next can take hours longer than normal.

If you can, consider spending Super Bowl week in the area to take full advantage of everything a Super Bowl host city offers leading up to the big event. You’ll find concerts, charity events, the NFL Experience and more. For a full list of events, check out the Super Bowl 50 host committee website.