Expert: David Stewart White - 7/8/2007

Question
Always wanted to go to Wimbeldon during the tennis matches.  I have 2 kids(11 and 10).  How much will the experience cost me to see half of the tournament and sightsee maybe another 2 days?  Would this be worth it and do many americans do this?

Answer
Hello,

Getting tickets to see the championships at Wimbledon requires that you enter a lottery...there are only a few same-day tickets available at the gate.  Here's a link for information on next year's ticket drawing:

   http://preview.tinyurl.com/2lsz8d

Centre Court tickets, assuming you got through the drawing, run up to 80GBPounds for the finals.

During the championships, London hotels are heavily booked (and more expensive than even their normal highs).  Not certain how to answer your question about the cost of sightseeing for another two days.  Costs would include airfare, hotel, ground transport (you can use the Underground/trains to reach Wimbledon), meals, etc.  Your hotel bill could range from $100 to $500 (or more) per day in central London.  Meals are expensive--probably one and a half to two times the cost of meals in a large US city.

If Wimbledon is a lifelong dream, then you certainly should plan this trip.  But given the extra crowds in London during the event, you'll need to plan far in advance.  If a tour of the Wimbledon venue would suffice, then you could travel during another time of year and add Wimbledon as a sight to visit on your trip to London.

I hope this gives you some ideas as you contemplate a trip.  If you have specific questions, feel free to submit them.

Dave White
http://www.KidsToLondon.com