Anyone going to Sochi in 2014?

[ehdtkqorl123]

I know it is too early to discuss about Sochi Olympics.
However, ticket will be on sale pretty soon and we don't have much information about Sochi such as accommodations, transportations, safety, etc.
So I think it might be good to open a thread to discuss about all these things with those who are interested.

I did some research, and found that the ticketing will be reallllly touch for non-Russian residents.
Also there arent many direct flights to Sochi.
Also I heard that the rink is located in the middle of nowhere so it is really hard to access (may be improved in the future..)

Anyways if anyone has some information , let's share

[Anya]

The ice rink is located in the middle of the Olympic Park, alongside with venues for speed skating, curling and ice hockey. It is roughly 15 minutes drive from the airport and roughly the same distance to Adler, which is now considered to be Sochi's suburb. "Proper" Sochi is further away along the coast. I think they will run shuttle buses service between Sochi/Adler and the Olympic Park (and another one for the events (like Alpine Ski) in so-called "Mountain Cluster" above Adler).

http://www.sochi2014.com/en/ is the official website with a lot of photos and such.

[Pikachuusb]

We were planning on going to Sochi after flying into St Petersburg & Moscow. I even started studying Russian, so I would have a slight understanding of the language, although I wasnt going to need to thanks to a friend. A friend of ours from the Ukraine, who lives in Vegas, was going to be our travel guide and then split off to visit her parents in the Ukraine while we were enjoying the Olympics. However we are having a house built right now, so our plans to go got altered :/

[eleonorad]

I did some research, and found that the ticketing will be reallllly touch for non-Russian residents.

what do you mean by "touch" ?

[Iceman]

I think the word was supposed to be "tough". I had heard something to that effect too, but have no idea as to whether it is accurate or not.

[TwizzlerS]

Does anyone know if there are travel agencies that have packages for a trip to the Sochi Olympics? I'm in the US and am interested in going mainly to see the figure skating of course.

[ehdtkqorl123]

what do you mean by "touch" ?

Opps, typo...

[lamarenee]

The official travel agency and ticket broker is a company called CoSport -- www.cosport.com. I have never used their services, but some people have had great experiences with them, some not so great.

[SandraMGfan]

Here in the UK, you could do an "Expression of Interest" with Cosport, and listing what events you are interested in (by January 7th). Once they have their allocated tickets, we will be able to purchase (on a first come first serve basis I believe).
I'm giving it a try, and I've put skating events from week 2 in my list. Fingers crossed.
For the London 2012, both a friend and my father managed to get tickets through the France official reseller (EventTeam). So I'll give this a shot too!

[Rob]

I bought tickets from CoSport for Torino. It depends on the rules set for each Games, but they had live sales (not lottery) for Torino. I got just what I had picked online. I didnt book accommodations there.

[AJ Skatefan]

I bought tickets from CoSport for Torino. It depends on the rules set for each Games, but they had live sales (not lottery) for Torino. I got just what I had picked online. I didnt book accommodations there.

I used CoSport for tickets to Vancouver. They released tickets in phases. So over the course of a few months I was able to get all the skating tickets I wanted. You just have to register and keep checking. Of course, they cost an arm and a leg but that's another story. I did buy a couple of the "Hospitality" packages, which included tickets to two different events and a day in their Hospitality room. The Hospitality room turned out to be awesome. All the food and drink you wanted, great service and a nice environment. And some of my tickets were just straightforward tickets, not part of a package. I spent loads of money but had saved up beforehand because it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'll probably never have the chance to go to the Olympics again.

[The Accordion]

I wish!

[ross_hy]

Here in the UK, you could do an "Expression of Interest" with Cosport, and listing what events you are interested in (by January 7th). Once they have their allocated tickets, we will be able to purchase (on a first come first serve basis I believe).

The Expression of Interest was available in the US as well. CoSport said you didn't have to fill one out in order to get tickets; I think it was more for them to help gauge demand. To me, what's different for Sochi as opposed to London is the language barrier (obviously) although I think all Olympic-related areas will have plenty of English speakers and signage. I've done a little looking at hotels and most in Sochi are Russian-based chains with the exception of a few Radisson properties. London was a lot easier to book for me because there were so many American-based chain hotels there. I'll probably have to sit Sochi out and wait for 2018 unless some bargains pop up.

[NadineWhite]

I promised my 12 yr. old niece during the drive back from the 2010 Mens Olympic FS, wherein we watched live Evgeni Plushenko win the Olympic Silver Medal, that we were going to the 2014 Sochi Olympics if Zhenya will be there also competing. And that's all I have to say about that.

[os168]

Would love to go, but it must be really hard to get the premier tickets for skating without costing a fortune. We tried to get London Olympic tickets and got nowhere, it is all bit of a lottery. Luckily, we were able to get Men's final100 m ticket, but it cost like £380 each. On the 'resell' market (not endorsed officially), they should be worth about £2000+. I am hesitant to go through an agency, since they are selling them like secondary tickets. I expect the hospitality packages can easily cost a few grand. You add a family of 4, it is a very expensive event.

[misskarne]

I'm dying to go. I have quite a bit of money saved up. But I keep questioning whether it would be a sensible decision. But to see Plushenko skate on the biggest stage of all...that would be magical. But it's a long haul from Australia...

[maatTheViking]

It looks like all co sports has right now are packages including hotel and unrelated events

Probably not going anyway, too far. Feel so stupid I thought It was too expensive in Vancouver... At least it was nearby!

I would assume that Sochi would try and have lots of English language signs and help at hotels etc - I would think they would use the Olympics as a way to get more international tourists too in the future.

[gofigure]

There are a number of new hotels being built just outside the Olympic Park. We stayed at the Radisson Blu for the GPF which was beautiful and is a 10 minute bus ride to the arena. But it will be expensive to stay there during the Olympics. The Russians are hiring people for all kinds of positions from all parts of the World who are multi-lingual so I doubt there will be any language issues in Sochi. It is a beautiful place and if you can go to the Olympics I highly recommend it.

[RunnersHigh]

I'm!
The matter is how to buy tix! Paid 600 bucks a month into an installment savings account since last July though....

[manhn]

If distance is not an issue, I would say Go. Even though I got several skating tickets in 2010, I can honestly say that I would've had just as much fun had I not gone to any sporting events (well, *almost*). I am sure Sochi will have a ton of free events for the public. Yes, there will be line-ups and crowds but that will be part of the appeal.