Traveling to New Orleans for the Super Bowl? Tips to get the best deal.
The Super Bowl is just a few weeks away and although we don't yet know which teams will be facing off, sports fans should already be thinking about their travel plans if they want to go to New Orleans for the big game.
Hotel prices are already high, but airfare deals are still available. However, if there's a surge of bookings from the teams' home cities once the lineup is finalized, that could change.
If you're thinking about heading to the Big Easy, here's what you should keep in mind. As with most travel planning, the key to scoring the best deal is flexibility.
Hotel prices
Super Bowl host cities typically see a surge in lodging prices around game day, but this year, accommodations in New Orleans are actually a little less expensive than they were in Las Vegas last year.
According to Hotels.com, the average New Orleans hotel room is going for about $650 per night around the Super Bowl, compared to $747 for last year's game in Las Vegas.
The most expensive rooms are in the neighborhoods closest to the Superdome, where the game is being played. Rates in the Business District neighborhood are upwards of $1,200 per night, though cheaper deals are available farther out of the city. Visitors willing to stay in New Orleans East, a little out of downtown, or in the North Shore/Slidell area, about 30-40 minutes from the city, will likely shell out less for lodging.
Super Bowl visitors typically stay two or three nights, but with festivities starting as early as 10 days before the game, some plan longer visits, according to Hotels.com.
Fans typically book two to three weeks before the game, though some teams' fanbases travel more readily than others, which can affect demand and prices.
Airfares
Flights to New Orleans remain reasonable, but a surge of bookings once the teams are finalized could drive them up.
Once you decide you want to go, it's a good idea to book tickets as soon as possible.
According to Expedia, the best rates will likely be available for flights on Tuesday or Wednesday before the game for inbound travel, and Tuesday or Wednesday after the game for outbound travel in most cities.
Airlines also often add special flights from the teams' home cities to the Super Bowl host city to address the sudden influx of bookings.
Being flexible with your travel timings can help you find better airfares, but visitors should weigh savings on flights with the high cost of an extra hotel night.
In general, it's best to fly out early in the day because those flights are often cheaper and also less likely to be delayed or canceled.
Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to get cheap flights and hotels for the Super Bowl
