How Do the Top Soccer Teams Travel?

When it’s time for your team to hit the road, you may load everyone aboard a big, yellow bus to reach your destination. Hopefully, you won’t encounter extreme distances or bumpy roads. Schoolies have a host of benefits, but a comfortable ride isn’t among them.

At some point, you might crave a little more luxury and wonder how the other half lives. How do the top soccer teams travel? Here’s your inside look.

1. They Fly

Even the COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t grind the convenience of air travel to a halt. While passengers must follow all safety protocols or risk hefty fines or imprisonment, restrictions have eased in many locations. There’s no more convenient way to reach one end of the country — or the other side of the globe — in the shortest possible time frame.

The top teams in soccer can afford to fly in style. They might spring for pricier first-class tickets to gain ample legroom and a bit more space — many commercial airlines no longer block center seats, leaving the COVID-conscious seated uncomfortably close to strangers.

Some choose an even more luxurious-sounding option: private flight. However, these savvy soccer travelers might end up paying less with group rates than they would for a commercial joint. Their wisdom comes with perks like more comfortable seating, ease of collaboration while in the air, and no strangers sharing their airspace.

2. They Drive

Some trips don’t require air travel. However, the top soccer teams still need to reach their destination stadium. When they do, chartering a bus becomes a natural choice for many.

This method of transportation has considerable advantages. For example, many larger charter busses have bathrooms on board, making longer trips far more comfortable for players and accompanying fans alike. This amenity comes in handy when you have helpers riding with you. You might hire an amateur photographer to memorialize the game. If they have an inflammatory bowel or bladder condition, they’ll thank you for your courtesy.

Restrooms aren’t the only amenity busses offer. Many of today’s models come with Wi-Fi hotspots and behind-the-seat video screens. You can use these perks to run through plays and strategize while on the road. When it’s time to head home, you can kick back and enjoy a movie through headphones, shutting out the clamoring din.

When chartering a bus, ensure you have adequate cargo space for your team’s supplies. Review all safety rules with the company before your departure. Different lines might have varying guidelines regarding mask use and other COVID-19 restrictions. Still others might request that you not eat or drink while aboard — pay attention to this detail if your players need an energy snack before the game.

3. They Board Trains

While it’s far from common, especially in the U.S., some travel teams reach their destinations by train. The practice is somewhat more common in Europe, where train lines cross borders, making it easier to get to foreign cities. Accommodations range from seats to full sleeper cabins with bunk beds and private toilets.

4. They Travel by Boat

Another fairly unusual mode of soccer team transportation is boat. When might your team sail to their destination? Consider Nigeria, for example, which plans to travel to Benin by boat for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game.

Why? Safety is one factor. However, you can imagine that the players and coaches alike look forward to their adventure.

5. They Hail a Cab

We live in the golden age of rideshare services — why not just rent a car to get to your destination? This method might work for you if you have a smaller group to transport. You could also use it in conjunction with another, like a charter bus. It’s generally wise to have someone at away games with an alternate transportation method in case of emergencies.

However, it’s probably not cost-effective to order an Uber or Lyft for the entire squad. However, some extreme limos fit the bill. You don’t necessarily need a 100-foot behemoth, but you could rent a stretch Hummer that will comfortably accommodate up to 16 players.

Will Your Group Travel Like the Top Soccer Teams?

If you’re tired of the big, yellow bus that transports you to matches, you might dream of hitting the road like the pros. Now that you know how the top soccer teams travel, will you try to match their luxury?