Olympics 2024: Is a last-minute trip to Paris worth it?

The opening of the Olympic Games in Paris is imminent. Competitions in 32 sports will take place over a good two weeks. Around 15 million tourists are expected in Paris during this time. Those who are well prepared have already taken care of tickets and accommodation months ago. Anyone planning a trip to the French capital at short notice should note the following information and tips:

Are there still tickets available?

Yes, there are. According to the organizers, there were still free places in more than 20 sports. A total of around 8.8 million tickets were sold – a six-figure number is still available. The price of a ticket ranges between 24 and 980 euros. A total of 10 million tickets were for sale, so the record set in Atlanta in 1996 with 8.3 million tickets sold has already been surpassed.

Consumer advocates strongly warn against buying tickets from third parties or individuals. “Those who do so anyway run the risk of falling victim to fraudsters or not being allowed into the stadium in the end,” says Karolina Wojtal, press spokesperson for the European Consumer Centre Germany. It is recommended that tickets be purchased exclusively on the official Olympic sales website or on the official resale website. For those interested, it is worth checking the site regularly. “Quarters are constantly being released,” says Wojtal.

What is the best way to get to Paris?

Car, train or plane – anyone who wants to travel usually has to choose between these three means of transport. However, the European Consumer Centre clearly advises against using a car for a trip to Paris. Anyone travelling by car needs a French environmental sticker, the German one is not accepted. In addition, there is a toll on French motorways and parking spaces in Paris are rare and expensive.

Traveling by train is actually recommended. However, just hours before the opening ceremony, unknown perpetrators carried out arson attacks on several facilities on the French express train network. Express train services on the Atlantic, North and East axes were severely affected, the French railway company SNCF announced on Friday morning. The restrictions could last the entire weekend. Deutsche Bahn is initially checking the situation.

Olympia: By night train to Paris

There are direct train connections to the French capital from various German cities. Connections to Paris are generally very popular in the summer months, according to a Deutsche Bahn spokesperson. This year, demand has increased even further due to the Olympic Games in Paris. However, for connections at off-peak times, for example in the evenings, tickets are still available at low prices in many cases.

When asked, the airline Lufthansa also stated that despite the higher demand, there were still flight tickets available at reasonable prices. For those travelling by plane, the two airports that are relevant are Paris Charles-de-Gaulle and Paris-Orly. “But no matter what means of transport: book as quickly as possible,” stresses Wojtal. “Paris is expecting 15 million guests, so the capacity will be exhausted quickly. And that naturally drives up the prices.”

Are accommodations still available?

After sharp price increases and increasingly limited capacity in recent months and weeks, according to the European Consumer Centre, short-term accommodation is now available again, and not necessarily particularly expensive. According to the booking portals Booking.com and Airbnb, accommodation is still available in most parts of Paris and the surrounding area. The sports tour operator Vietentours also states that it still has booking capacity.

Consumer advocates recommend booking directly on the official websites of the chains or hotels, or alternatively via one of the large platforms for private accommodation such as holiday apartments and houses. It is also advisable to check the imprint to check whether you are on the official website. “No matter what you decide: only pay through trustworthy channels,” says Wojtal. “You should also check carefully what is included in the price and what room category it is.”

What do you have to pay attention to on site?

Once you have booked your tickets and arrived and moved into your accommodation, there are still a few things to consider on site. During the Olympic Games, there are numerous restricted areas in and around Paris that can only be passed through by accredited persons, residents or tourists whose hotel is located in this area using a QR code.

There may also be restrictions on local public transport. Some stations will not be served during the games. Visitors can get daily updates via the Transport Public Paris 2023 app to avoid long detours.