Travel question of the day: Simon Calder on last-minute travel to Rio

Have a travel question that needs answering? Ask our expert Simon Calder

It's possible to find flights to Rio for just over £1,000 return (AFP/Getty Images)

Q My daughter Amy is playing in the Team GB Women's Rugby Sevens in Rio. So I decided I would try to get there. I went on the internet and, to cut a long story a little shorter, came across the ideal flights with an online travel agent. The flights were on Air France, with one short stop on both flights. I agreed to accept the flights by replying on the very same email sent to me and was told that the tickets would be sent to me for printing. The tickets didn’t arrive so I looked at my bank balance and the amount hadn't been taken. Since then I’ve been on to them numerous times – as time is running out – without success. Flights are disappearing by the day; soon there will no flights available. What do I do?

Rick Wilson

A Congratulations on Amy’s achievement, and sorry to hear about your experience. I’m not sure that I agree that flights are filling up. Indeed, I have been tracking fares from London to Rio (outbound on 9 August, back on 18 August) over the past few weeks. The picture is the same for previous Olympics, which involves more seats at sensible prices being released as the airlines find they have no hope of filling their planes at premium fares.

I’ve just checked again, and new options such as Latam via Sao Paulo or Lufthansa outbound via Frankfurt/Air Canada back via Toronto have come into play at £1,200 return.

The Rugby Sevens in Rio take place 6-11 August; and in general, the later you can travel out the better, to avoid the pre-Games surge. Use fare-comparison websites such as Skyscanner, Kayak and Dohop to see the best deals.

Agreed, some of the best deals will be for two-stop trips, but the situation is fluid. You may well see some fare falls for one-stop journeys as the Olympics get even closer. So, keep looking, be flexible and when the fares and timings look right, buy. But I strongly suggest when you find a flight you like, you either book through an agent you know and trust, or go direct to the airline: the fares are unlikely to vary much. Best wishes for a successful event.

Every day, our travel correspondent, Simon Calder, tackles a reader’s question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder