Teresa Hoy 
Unlike traditional travel, there is much more involvement in football team travel, with more emphasis on the time and safety of the team members. Most of the team travels are managed and sourced by sports travel managers, who organize everything from flight and accommodation bookings and passports to meals and local transportation across the country.
Especially, the football team travel managers must incorporate various factors to ensure a safe and comfortable travel experience for the athletes. Not to mention, travel managers plan within a limited budget to avoid unnecessary delays and budget deficits. This is only possible with a reliable transport solution that helps the football team reach their destination timely and secure.
Here are all the different and secure ways travel managers arrange football team transportation for different tournaments. But before that, let’s have a look at different factors that influence the options of travel for football players.
Major Factors For Deciding A Travel Option
While the travel options are decided by administrative position, they also consider the requirements of players to steer clear of any unexpected outcomes. The majority of factors influence the type of transportation for football players.
- Distance – Being one of the most important factors, distance is the center of debate for a football team’s journey.
- Budget – As said earlier, a football team’s travel options must suit the allocated budget.
- Time Constraints – Time is a crucial component as football teams are on the clock for travel, resting, practice, and match day.
- Comfortability and Security – Football club administration and travel managers also look into the safety and comfortability of the teams to ensure every member does not face any stress upon reaching the destination or on tournament day.
- International Flights
Football team travel starts with a proper flight plan to help the whole team reach the country easily. For that instance, travel managers coordinate all the flight plans with the required documents of each football player.
Since international flights are prone to price hikes, travel managers book tickets in advance to avoid unnecessary costs. After that, football teams can board the flights to reach their destination ahead of the tournaments.
While booking flights and boarding might sound simple, for international tournaments, travel managers must coordinate charter flights to enhance the safety and security of the football team members.
Charter or private flights are indeed an expensive option, but they ensure a private and sound travel experience for football players. On top of that private flights aid in allowing team players to actively plan and coordinate for their upcoming match.
Private Transport For Airport Transfers
After landing on a public or charter flight, travel managers arrange an airport transfer for the team. Here, a timely arrival is crucial since the players need to rest and get ready for practice sessions for the upcoming big day of the match. That is why quick and reliable transport right after the flight is crucial.
This is where travel managers hire private transport like minibusses or coaches for an easy and affordable move. From a small 7 seater MPV to big coaches with toilets or a large 70 seater coach, private transport aids in a highly comfortable and secure move to the destination.
Traveling By Train
Apart from private transportation, some club teams also consider traveling by local train. This is suitable for domestic and short-distance travel and saves considerable cost. This is possible with thorough research for cost and availability by travel managers ahead of time.
Not just the local, but on most occasions, teams also travel by train to geographically close countries. For instance, a train will be more cost-effective to travel from London, England to Edinburgh, Scotland.
Firstly, a charter plane for this destination can be expensive. Secondly, a plane itinerary requires special flight plans and is a waste of time for players.
One of the major reasons why most travel managers prefer train travel over others is the contribution to climate-friendly transportation. Today most clubs are pledging to reduce the carbon footprints for the football team travel and opt for train travel option.
Since most of the geographically close countries have a network of trains, travel managers can easily book transportation for the whole football team.
Final Words
Sports travel involves considerable planning from booking tickets to accommodation and meals. At the same time, prior logistics can help managers to avoid unnecessary delays and safe arrival. This will allow team players to reduce stress and conserve maximum energy for the tournament.
Not only that, but travel managers may also conduct post-travel evaluations to obtain valuable feedback from team members and implement better practices for a secure and comfortable travel experience.
