The opening ceremonies of the 2018 Winter Olympics are just days away. If you are thinking about traveling to Pyeongchang to enjoy the XXIII Olympic Winter Games, it’s time to start worrying about the details. If you are planning your own trip, there are five questions that you should ask long before you leave for the airport. If you would prefer to be free from the worries and have the details taken care of on your behalf, it’s time to speak to one of our Private Aviation Consultants. They have arranged private pillow-to-pillow transportation for the last six Olympic Games and are accustomed to sweating the small stuff with the determination of a gold-medal athlete.
1. What’s the best airport to use?
Incheon International Airport (RKSI) in Seoul is the main international gateway for the country, and most visitors to the Olympics will enter South Korea here. However, for passengers on charter planes to the Winter Games, Yangyang (RKNY) is the closest international airport to Pyeongchang County. It only handles a handful of flights presently, but it is expected to increase significantly as the Olympic event approaches.
If you’re making the trip to the Winter Olympics, charter flights are the most convenient (and luxurious) way to travel. And with a million visitors expected to attend, it’s important to plan ahead. Most commercial passengers will land into Seoul and transfer to the crowded train to Pyeongchang.
Instead, direct charter flights arranged on your behalf by Magellan Jets can whisk you straight to Yanyang Airport, under one hour from Pyeongchang, where we’ll arrange for a secure private sedan to take you the rest of the way. Book your private jet charter to Pyeongchang, South Korea now to guarantee your landing slot.
2. How do I avoid the crowds at the airport and between venues?
Organizers expect to see over a million spectators over the course of the Games. To handle demand, as many as 10 new hotels have been built in Pyeongchang and the surrounding areas in the past few months. As the Games are located about 95 miles from Seoul, a newly constructed bullet train will link the two cities.
Skip the train and the crowds and allow us to arrange secure, private ground transportation for you for the transfer from the airport to your resort, or to stay with you for convenient crowd-free transportation for the duration of the games. Don’t wait too much longer as the best drivers in our network are quickly booking up.
3. Where should I stay?
Most of the events will be close to the Alpensia Resort in Daegwallyeong-myeon. This luxurious resort has a number of high-end accommodations for those arriving on private planes to Pyeongchang. Some of the accommodations include:
- Intercontinental Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort. Extravagent rooms await at this must-stay resort. Besides offering the best accommodations in the area, their restaurants are just as wonderful.
- The Simscabin Winter House. Loft-style cabins are warm and full of luxury features.
- Holiday Inn Resort. This Inn-Resort features a four-season indoor waterpark. It’s perfect for warming up between events.
Allow us the pleasure of making additional recommendations once we get to know your personal standards and requirements.
4. How do I get tickets for everything, including events where American athletes will compete?
Train tickets are still available for purchase now. Hotel rooms will be harder to find as the event approaches, so be sure to book your room now. Visit the official website for information on how to purchase tickets to the events and the ceremonies based on country of residence.
Allow us to understand your needs and attend to the details on your behalf.
5. Is it safe to travel to the Olympic Games?
According to a spokesperson for the International Olympic Committee, “We continue to be in constant contact with the South Korean government. We have been informed that the position of the South Korean government with regard to security at the Olympic Winter Games Pyeongchang 2018 has not changed. We are working with the Organizing Committee on the preparations of these Games which continue to be on track.”
U.S. Olympians will be in attendance and it looks more and more likely that the North Korean athletes may be participating. Magellan Jets shares the abundance of caution put to work by their colleagues in the commercial transportation business. They will not be satisfied with your travel plan, and neither should you, until you’ve received a full security briefing before your trip.
In case you don’t arrange travel with us, consider the minimum acceptable practical advice: Check the venues, the resort, have a plan for escape and most importantly increase your situational awareness. Take a break from the headphones, hats, and selfies and maintain awareness of what is going on around you. Trust your instincts and should the need arise and you need to flee – take a deep breath and make sure you are running for safety and not accidentally putting yourself in harms’ way.
We would be honored to have the opportunity to worry about the details for you so that you and your guests can get excited and stay focused on the pageantry of The Games and the fact that you are going to be witness to history in the making at a truly unique and entertaining venue.
As an additional layer of Safety, Magellan Jets strongly recommends all of their clients to consider a short-term membership with Global Rescue to ensure they have medical and security support for the trip. Global Rescue provides life-saving medical advisory, evacuation, security and other critical emergency services to travelers. The company has conducted detailed in-country advance planning and reconnaissance in Pyeongchang and will have medical and security teams on-site for the duration of the Games to support travelers. Global Rescue has supported numerous major international sporting events, including the past three Winter Olympics. Visit www.globalrescue.com for full details.
Magellan Jets is honored to serve as an aviation solutions provider for everything you need to know for the upcoming Olympic games. Learn more about travel to the Olympics by calling 877-550-JETS (5387) for more information or get an instant quote below!
Todd Weeber
Your Personal VP of Services and Support
