CHICAGO, Jan. 26, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Denver and Carolina will face off at the Super Bowl. But, according to Orbitz.com® air booking data, Denver is already in the lead with 146 percent more fans than Carolina flying from their hometown airports to the Bay Area for the Big Game weekend.1
Whether travelers are fans of Denver or Carolina, getting to the Big Game will not come cheap. Airfare from Denver and Charlotte rose 113 percent and 64 percent respectively after Sunday’s semifinal games, and hotel rates in the Bay Area are 112 percent more week-over-week.2 In this edition of the Orbitz Insider Index, Orbitz.com experts examine travel to the Big Game, with information on when to fly, where to stay and how much it will cost. Orbitz.com experts also give advice on other major 2016 sporting events fans will want to book travel for early.
“The Super Bowl is the kickoff to a big year of sports travel,” said Jeanenne Tornatore, senior editor of Orbitz.com. “Whether paying premium prices for football’s biggest game of the year or celebrating the Olympics in Brazil, the cost of travel is one of sports fans’ biggest considerations in attending these major events.”
TRAVEL COSTS TO THE BIG GAME
Round-trip flights into the three Bay Area airports (San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK) and San Jose International Airport (SJC)) over the weekend are averaging $335.3 Travelers who arrive early on Wednesday, Feb. 3 or on Saturday, Feb. 6 will net the cheapest fares, at $294 and $343 respectively, while Thursday, Feb. 4 will be the most expensive, averaging $407.
While hotels in Santa Clara, the location of the Big Game, are near capacity with prices averaging around $814 per night, there are less expensive hotel options available in nearby cities/neighborhoods. Hotels in San Jose average $544/night (a 209 percent week-over-week price increase), while properties in San Francisco average $438/night (a 122 percent week-over-week increase). Below is a look at average nightly hotel rates over the Big Game weekend in the greater Bay Area:
| City/Neighborhood | Average Nightly Hotel Rate4 | ||
| Redwood City | $ | 98 | |
| Pacifica | $ | 226 | |
| Los Gatos | $ | 246 | |
| Berkeley | $ | 252 | |
| Tiburon | $ | 274 | |
| Millbrae | $ | 283 | |
| Mountain View | $ | 319 | |
| San Jose | $ | 544 | |
| San Francisco | $ | 438 | |
| Santa Clara | $ | 814 | |
Travelers in need of a rental car will find rental rates in the greater San Francisco area averaging $63/day (a 26 percent week-over-week increase).5
Fans booking last-minute trips to the Big Game can visit www.orbitz.com/BigGame to find up-to-date information on hotel and flight costs, plus all things “Bay Area” to explore. Travelers can search for hotels and check airfare prices from their hometown into all Bay Area airports.
MORE 2016 SPORTS TRAVEL TO BOOK NOW
As sports fans consider their 2016 travel plans, Orbitz.com highlights some of the top events throughout the year to plan travel for now, based on factors including cost, availability and seasonality.
Spring Training
With 30 ballparks across Florida and Arizona, and millions of fans traveling to see their favorite teams play, getting away to these pre-season games is no longer a best-kept secret. Spring Training has fast become a popular Spring Break alternative for families and college students, not to mention the super fans who have likely already booked their trips. While game tickets remain affordable, they go fast for popular teams and rivalries. Hotels in most areas typically do not sell out, but can get pricey, especially for weekend games. Traveling mid-week will net the best deals on flights and hotels, as well as less crowds at the ballpark.
Kentucky Derby
This annual event is not only one of the most prestigious among horse racing fans, it’s also a party that no one wants to miss – especially on the heels of last year’s Triple Crown winner. A red carpet, nationally broadcast event, The Derby is bigger and more popular than ever. Although Louisville may not be full of revelers until May 6, hotels will likely start to sell out much earlier. Last year, most hotels were booked six weeks ahead, and many require a minimum night stay. This southern city’s small airport also offers limited flights, causing airfare prices to skyrocket – last year averaging $461 – over Derby weekend. Book early or plan to celebrate with your own Derby party at home.
2016 Summer Games
Undoubtedly the largest sporting event of the year, millions of athletes and spectators will travel to Rio de Janeiro to participate in this international competition and celebration. Event tickets have been on sale since October, with hotels currently averaging $276/night and airfare to Rio de Janeiro averaging $1,028. One of Orbitz.com’s hot destinations for 2016, this city is sure to see increases for airfare and hotels as the games approach.
World Cup of Hockey
While it has been 12 years since this international hockey tournament last took place, 2016 marks the first year after which it will be held on a regular basis every four years. Organized by the National Hockey League (NHL), fans of this growing sport can experience history in Toronto as eight of the world’s best teams hit the ice, including Team USA, Team Russia, Team Canada and Team Czech Republic. Tickets to the World Cup have already gone on sale and travelers can capitalize on affordable prices for trips to Toronto by booking early. Hotels in Toronto during the event (Sept. 17 – Oct. 1) currently average just $146/night.
1 Percentage of fans traveling based on Orbitz.com airfare booking data as of 1/25/16 for travel 2/5/16 to 2/8/16 from Denver International (DEN) to SFO, SJC and OAK; and from Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT) to SFO, SJC and OAK for travel during the same time period.
2 Based on airfare and hotel bookings made on Orbitz.com from Feb. 5 – Feb. 8, 2016 vs. the week prior, Jan. 29 – Feb. 1, 2016.
3 Based on airfare bookings made on Orbitz.com from Feb. 5 – Feb 8, 2016.
4 Based on hotel bookings made on Orbitz.com from Feb. 5 – Feb. 8, 2016.
5 Based on rental car bookings made on Orbitz.com from Feb. 5 – Feb. 8, 2016 vs. the week prior, Jan. 29 – Feb. 1, 2016.
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