I’ve written so much about the World Cup last year when I was going through the trip planning aspect. My most popular post is the real costs of attending the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Here are some of the past 9 articles that I have written.
How to Trip Plan for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil
The Real Costs of Attending the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil
Ticket Sales Phase 1 Begin Today For The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil
I Managed to Score Tickets to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil
Second Ticketing Sales Window Begin Monday for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil
High Demand During Second Ticketing Sales Window for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil
Low Availability Remaining During Second Ticketing Sales Window for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil
Sales Phase 2 – Random Selection Draw Period Begin Sunday for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil
Last Minute Sales Phase for Tickets to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil
So, is it too late to plan a trip to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil?
Long story short, it really is too late to plan a trip to the World Cup in Brazil UNLESS you have unlimited money and airlines miles to spend. Right now, a lot of tickets for the popular matches have long sold out. FIFA just announced that there will be a last minute ticket sales phase coming up, but those tickets are the leftover unpopular matches that no one wants to see.
Flights
Flight from the US to Brazil have skyrocketed enormously and good luck finding low level award space because those have been long gone 300+ days out. If you’re lucky to even find a reasonable priced ticket to Brazil or award space during the World Cup, you’re going to have even more trouble finding a place to stay. Intra-Brazilian flights have tripled and quadrupled in price due to the enormous high demand.
Los Angeles – Rio de Janeiro flights starts at $1,563.63 during the World Cup.
Good luck finding low level milesAAver award during the month of June.
Intra Brazil flight from Manaus to Belo Horizonte is $355.28 which typically ranges from $39 to $100.
Hotels
Hotel rooms have been long sold out during game matches and hostels have even as high as $300 a night for a 10 bed mixed dorm with a shared bathroom. Good luck using hotel points during the World Cup because those have been room blocked for the World Cup teams and its affiliates. Some hotels have also instituted a 30 day minimum at rates of $800 a night + tax at the major hotel chains. Don’t even think about Airbnb or VRBO because you’re going to be paying an arm and a leg. Brazilians are laughing all the way to the bank at tourists because they can make so much money off renting their apartments and homes during the World Cup.
One night at a mediocre hotel in a Belo Horizonte costs $727 on game night.
One night at the Sheraton Rio costs $773.50 and it’s not even on game night.
Good luck finding availability using hotel points for sold out chain hotels.
A mixed-dorm hostel is going for $268 a night in Sao Paulo on game night.
Conclusion
In short, flights are full and hotels are pretty scare during the World Cup. You are better off planning for the 2018 World Cup which will be in Russia. Lesson learned: Don’t be a last minute procrastinator (unless you have a lot of money to blow).
Inspiring quwst there. What happened after? Take care!