With the NFL regular season ending, only 12 teams will have a shot at Super Bowl XLVIII (that’s “48” to regular folks), and no one knows which one will be crowned league champion. Nonetheless, diehard supporters of that team will want to witness the achievement in person, and it’s not too early for fans of the playoff teams to start planning to attend the game in MetLife Stadium on February 2, 2014. We can’t help you score cheap Super Bowl tickets (which are among the most expensive tickets in sports), but we can offer tips on how to save on your Super Bowl travel plans.
Book your hotel room now. Hotel reservations are easier to cancel without penalty than flights are, and New York City hotels aren’t yet at full occupancy. In fact, some hotels are currently offering Super Bowl discounts that probably won’t be available to last-minute planners.
Consider non-NYC destinations. Even discounted hotel rooms in New York City can be more expensive than rooms in the greater tri-state area, so shop around. Beware that the game is in East Rutherford, New Jersey, so rates in that area have recently increased. Connecticut hotel rates are traditionally lower than those in New York City, although the longer MetLife commute could be more expensive. Speaking of which ….
Plan to use public transportation. Some people are calling this year’s game “Mass Transit Super Bowl I,” because driving to MetLife Stadium will be a challenge. (FYI: Even if you do drive, you can’t tailgate.) Travel restrictions include:
- Fewer parking spaces. MetLife Stadium can accommodate 28,500 cars, but various Super Bowl considerations have reduced that number to fewer than 13,000 (and parking passes cost $150).
- No foot traffic. Instead of walking to the stadium, you’ll need to take a car, bus, train, or limousine.
- No drop-offs. This rules out taxis, unless you want to keep the meter running for the entire game. To get into the parking lot, limos will need the $150 parking pass; chartered buses, a $350 parking pass.
On the plus side:
- A “Fan Express” nonstop coach bus service will offer round-trip game-day transportation from nine New York and New Jersey locations for $51.
- A $50 “Super Pass” will provide visitors unlimited access on all New Jersey Transit trains, buses, and light rail from January 27 through February 3.
- Unlike area residents, Super Bowl XLVIII visitors will only face short-term traffic problems.
Pack for blizzard conditions. It’s impossible to predict the exact weather this far in advance, although the Farmers’ Almanac forecasts a cold, stormy Super Bowl Sunday (which could alter the game date). Still, it’s more cost-effective to be prepared for the worst than to have to buy clothes at the last minute.
With Travel Plus, you can claim additional savings on a Super Bowl trip, including 5% cash back on flight, hotel, and rental-car reservations, plus rebates on travel perks that help make journeys more relaxing. Wherever you watch Super Bowl XLVIII, we hope you enjoy the game!
