Getting to the 2012 Games
Don't leave it to the last minute to plan your journey
Don't leave it to the last minute to plan your journey to the Games
Unless you're lucky enough to be able to walk or cycle to one of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games venues, it's important not to leave it to the last minute to plan when and how you will travel to and from the event.
With park & ride facilities at a limited number of venues only and no spectator parking at any Games venue, the London 2012 Games is essentially a public transport event. You need to think about booking your rail/coach travel or park & ride now.
Parking
Spectators are encouraged to travel by public transport, walking or cycling to all Games venues.
There will be no parking other than pre-booked blue badge parking at any of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues.
To further discourage driving to events, temporary parking restrictions will be implemented to prevent spectators parking near the venues. This will also protect resident and business parking in affected areas.
Advice for businesses
If you run a business in London or one of the other towns/cities hosting events it is likely that the Games' impact on roads and public transport will affect your employees, customers, visitors, deliveries and suppliers.
London 2012 organisers are encouraging businesses to consider remote working, changed opening hours and even to stockpile goods.
Visit www.getaheadofthegames.com for information and advice to help you understand where travel hotspots will be, plan your journey and get your business ready for the Games.
The same advice applies if you live or work in London where regular users of public transport are likely to see journeys affected at some time during the Games.
Park & ride
Limited park & ride facilities are being provided for some venues and must be booked in advance. Overnight parking will not be permitted.
Park & ride is available for the following venues:
- Olympic park
- ExCeL
- Greenwich park (Day 3 of Equestrian competition only (30 July))
- Weymouth and Portland
- Eton Dorney
- Hadleigh Farm
- Lee Valley white water centre
Transfers from car parks to venues may be an hour or more so plan your journey carefully to allow plenty of time to get to the venue. Passing through security and walking from the bus drop-off to your seat – particularly in the Olympic Park – could take another hour.
Park & ride may also be available at Ebbsfleet International, from where you can travel onwards using the high speed Javelin rail service to Stratford International.
Olympic Route Network/Paralympic Route Network
To help people essential to the Games get to venues and to minimise disruption to normal business in affected areas, an Olympic/Paralympic Route Network will be established during the Games.
On roads designated part of the ORN/PRN there will be:
- No non-essential road works during the Games
- Temporary changes to parking or loading restrictions
- Temporary changes to junctions
- Temporary changes to traffic signal timing and restricted turns
- Suspension of some parking & waiting bays and some pedestrian crossings
- CCTV monitoring of congestion points
- Rapid response to accidents and emergencies
- Traffic diversions and other restrictions closer to venues
- Signs to give priority to authorised vehicles
- Signs to indicate temporary 'Games Lanes'
- Games Lanes on around a third of the ORN
- Games Lanes are not open to the general public when operating
- Don't drive on Games Lanes when operating – or face a fine
Advice for drivers
Check the busiest areas of London during the Games (select the day and see areas expected to be impacted by the Games)
- Try to avoid driving into, across or within areas affected by the Games
- If you do have to drive, plan carefully and allow extra time for your journey
- There will be no parking (other than blue badge parking) at or around venues
- If you're planning to park & ride, book in advance and allow plenty of time for your journey, transfers and entry to venues.
- You won't be able to drive across the route of the cycling road race between 6am and 3pm on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 July. This could affect journeys to Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
Games Travelcard
If you are attending a venue in or around London (including Brands Hatch, Eton Dorney, Hadleigh Farm and Leigh Valley), you will receive, with your London 2012 event ticket, a free Games Travelcard for London Zones 1-9 for travel on the day of your Games event.
If travelling from outside London you may wish to consider parking at or near one of the outer tube stations and completing your journey by underground.
Details of London underground car parks »
Other ways to travel
If you break down
The AA will be providing a normal breakdown service during the Games including at venue sites, park & ride sites and on the Olympic/Paralympic Route Network.
- Specially accredited AA patrols will be pre-authorised to enter venues/events and car parks during the Games
- If you break down on the Olympic/Paralympic Route Network call us as normal
- If the authorities move your vehicle – to minimise disruption to traffic flow – simply contact us again to update your location.
(updated 2 April 2012)
Image: London 2012
