[TRAVEL WATCH] The countdown to the World Cup has begun in earnest. It's 96 days until the finals kick off. Many American fans have obtained tickets for the finals but are still trying to find affordable flights to South Africa. Others are weighing their options. Here's what's available ...

Emirates has flights from New York, Houston and Los Angeles to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban connecting through Dubai.

It has flights from New York (JFK) to Johannesburg departing June 9 and returning June 24 -- right before and after the USA plays in the first round -- for $2,070.80.

Flights on Delta for similar dates are much higher: $4,196.20.

Flights through Europe or via other parts of the Middle East or Africa are available.

For fans making last-minute plans to attend the World Cup, tickets are available in the fourth phase of sales at fifa.com.

Tour operators are offering packages.

Emirates has “Follow Your Team” packages starting at $4,749 that include flights to South Africa, five nights at a two-star hotel in your selected base camp, ground transportation logistics and a Category 1 match ticket for one.

For fans with tickets and flights but in need of accommodations, Great Atlantic Travel offers various hotel packages in key cities.

TRAVEL TIPS:
si.com's Grant Wahl, on getting there and getting around:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/grant_wahl/10/13/wc.travel/index.html#ixzz0h0xoMRrt

London Times' Mark Bridge, on what to look out for and what to avoid:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/money/article7042889.ece