I’m trying to get my arrangements done for ITU World Champs in Gold Coast next month but it seems like USAT’s “add-on” package is way over-priced. It seems like it would be better to rent a car and handle the transportation on my own, but don’t want to miss the team expereince. Anybody else make this decision already?
I did vancouver last year without doing any package and had similar thoughts as you might before I went but honestly most of the TEAM did not do the package. Most did not even stay in the host hotel I do think you should go to all the meetings and parades etc but the package from what I saw was by no means the majority. AWSOME experience either way even with our race getting turned into a du- GO USA good luck down under.
Eugene
Just the kind of input I was looking for. Thanks
i’m going and i’m doing my own arrangements, as i normally do. i’m flying into brisbane and will then get xyz conveyance down to gold coast. i believe there are about 3 or 4 modes of travel, maybe 2 of them being some sort of bus trip.
that part of the trip is not very team usa-intensive. you’ll land with a host of others on the team----and on other teams—and you’ll find the airport will have information on the bus and etc. travel down.
the team experience is primarily had in being at team things, hanging out at the team hotel (don’t need to stay there, that’s for sure), and being where other americans are. it’s entirely ok to join any likely group of team usa and ask where they’re off to, what’s next, etc., and join them. this is especially true of the time prior to, say, a team usa meeting. everyone is asking where, when, and which way, and that’s where others just follow along.
i’ll be arriving the 8th. and you?
peggy
Great info. Thanks. This is my first Team USA trip.
Arriving the 9th very early in the morning.
I was concerned about transport to the race site on race day, bike racking day, etc… as I’ve seen no info about parking in the area, but they want $390 per PERSON and I can get a rental for less than that for the whole 5 day stint in Gold Coast and be able to go whereever,whenever.
as I live in Brisbane Australia maybe i can be of assistance
From th air port you have many options such as renting a cheap car or taking the train from the front door to th Gold Coast
Also i do believe there are shuttle buses on the hour
Car rental might be the answer as durring the event the cheaper accommodation will probably be a bit further out
If i can help in any way please feel free to let me know
.
NO PROBLEM and again Make us all PROUD GO USA!!! Post a report when you get done.
Eugene
Just sent you PM
.
I’m also investigating travel plans and local travel options what are everyone eles plans?
Joel
Sorry, but my experience is just the opposite. I did research looking at the costs to do things on my own, vs the package. This will be my third trip with the
full package staying at the team hotel, and I am taking 6 this trip. I would not consider doing it any other way. Staying is the host hotel is just great.
But, I do agree that a large percentage did things on their own.
Dave
What about staying at the hotel but finding your own transport? or do you do the whole thing, hotel, and full service package?
Joel
I looked at getting my own transportation from the airport to Gold Coast. Round trip was like 90 bucks per person. Was only 115 via USAT and it include other stuff.
One nice thing working with Lisa is she takes care of EVERYTHING!!! If there are issues, she takes care of it!!! By far the best money I have spent where no matter
what happens, Lisa takes care of it.
I am staying in the team hotel, which is half the cost of the other, and since I am paying for 6, I went through as many numbers as I could, and hassle, to find
the cheapest, least stress option. For me, going with Lisa again was a no brainer!!!
And since a BIG part of this trip is meeting and interacting with other TeamUSA members, and USAT, for my family, the team hotel has been the only way to go, IMO.
Dave
We are staying at the host hotel just because I want to meet others. However, I about chocked when I saw what the “add on” charges were and I thought the venue package was also way over priced. We are arriving on the 7th and at this point I am looking at taking the train from the airport to the Gold Coast. I don’t think the price (shown in AUS$) is too bad for delivery to/from the hotel. http://www.airtrain.com.au/…_airtrainconnect.php I figure for the 2 of us it will be about $125US if we buy round trip in advance and get the 10% discount.
Or if you just want to do your own train and taxi: http://www.airtrain.com.au/products_goldcoast.php
The race management people are also offering bus service that looks like a good deal. I signed up for the venue package but didn’t get that for my son who is going with me. I am just going to get some of the bus tickets for him. Here is the link with some of the information about the shuttle bus service and a few other transportation options. http://www.worldtriathlongoldcoast.com/visitor_info_trans.html
Thanks, Air train and local transit looks like it might be the best way to go.
What hotel is the team USA staying at? Sort of a last minute thing but I’ve put in to volunteer at Worlds and will be flying into Brisbane from LAX Sept 8. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
-justin
I lived on the Gold Coast before moving to NZ.
Brisbane Airport to the Gold Coast is $44 with these guys http://www.cxbookings.com.au/Prices/Bris.aspx
The train doesn’t go into the heart of the city. The bus will drop you at your hotel I think or the depot in in the heart of Surfers.
If you are staying in Surfers you can walk everywhere or take a bus pretty cheaply but even car hire is $29 from most places. Moped even cheaper and you don’t need a licence to ride them. They are like flys. Everywhere.
Hi Justin,
The primary hotel is Australis Sovereign Hotel Surfers Paradise but it looks like its full. I’m trying to get a room there too but I may have to stay at the courtyard down the road instead.
Check out usattrips.com for travel info.
Cheers,
Joel
Joel,
Thanks for the 411. Courtyard? Even better if it’s a Marriott. Points! -justin
I still see some folks at the Gold coast TeamUSA Yahoo group looking for room mates for the race.
Dave
So would the Courtyard or Marriott in Surfer’s Paradise be closest to the action? -justin