Essential travel tips for the Paris 2024 Olympics
Heading to the Olympic Games this summer in France? Here's everything you need to know about planning the perfect sporting holiday.
Paris 2024 tickets
Getting to Paris
Where to stay in Paris
Getting around Paris
Olympics outside of Paris
Things to do in Paris
Are you excited about the Paris 2024 Olympics? Us too! From securing your tickets and getting around the city, to finding somewhere to stay and exploring Olympic venues in Paris and beyond, we've got all the travel tips you need to take the hassle out of your trip. That way, you can focus on what's really important – soaking up the unforgettable Olympic atmosphere.
How can I buy tickets for the Olympics?
Head to the official Paris 2024 ticketing page if you're after tickets to the biggest sporting party this summer. Lots of events are already sold out, but there are still tickets left for plenty of sports and new ones are released every Thursday at 10am.
Getting to Paris
The quickest way to get to Paris is to fly, taking between 1 and 2 hours from the UK. If you're arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport, Line B of the RER, Paris' wider train network, takes about 35 minutes to reach Paris Gare du Nord train station. From Orly you need to take the Orlyval Shuttle Service from the airport to Antony train station, then Line B of the RER will take you to Paris Gare du Nord.
Or, save yourself time and effort by booking an airport transfer in advance. You'll be whizzed right to your hotel, so no need to worry about dragging your suitcase along the RER.
But this close to the Olympics many flights will be sold out, and available seats on the plane will be expensive while the Games are taking place. Thankfully there are plenty of other ways of getting to Paris for the Olympics.
There are still seats left on the Eurostar, which takes you from London to Paris in about 2 and a half hours. You could also drive there from the UK – cross the Channel Tunnel in 35 minutes from Folkestone to Calais, and from there it's just over 3 hours to get to the French capital. Car ferries will float you from the UK to French ports too.
Where to stay in Paris
At this point, many of the hotels in central Paris are fully booked, and the rooms that are still available will likely be expensive. So your best bet is probably to look at the outskirts of Paris for places to stay, which might even be a better option than staying in the heart of the city. Paris will be very congested, so you'll thank yourself for booking somewhere you can escape the crowds.
Fontainebleau is a good shout. It's famous for its castle, Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, which predates Versaille, and its sprawling forest that's perfect for walking, cycling and even rock climbing. The town's got plenty of excellent restaurants, shops and lively markets too, making this a real gem just 35 minutes from Paris by train.
Or how about Saint-Germain-en-Laye? This small, historic town is connected to Paris by the RER and boasts gorgeous squares, boutiques, gardens and a former royal palace. It also happens to be Debussy's birthplace, and the house he was born in is now a museum dedicated to the composer's life and work.
Getting around Paris
We highly recommend using travel apps like Citymapper to help get you around Paris during the Olympics. Some metro stations and walkways around Olympic venues and popular landmarks will be closed as Paris is transformed to welcome athletes this summer, and transport apps should update in real-time to show you the best way to get where you need to go.
As a rule of thumb, walk as much as you can. Paris is an absolute stunner, and only by walking through its romantic cobbled streets and past world-famous landmarks will you fully be able to appreciate its beauty. It'll be very busy, but the atmosphere is sure to be electric as Olympic fever takes over the capital.
It's a very big city though, so there will no doubt be times when you need to get the Metro. The subway is split into the Metro and RER lines, and tickets will work across both so you can treat it as one big underground network. It's the best way of getting around the city quickly, and we've got more tips for using it in our Paris travel guide.
Our guide to Paris
Here's everything you need to know about your trip to the French capital.
Paris Travel GuideVisiting Olympic venues outside of Paris
Paris isn't the only city that's welcoming athletes this summer. Olympic events are taking place in Marseille, Bordeaux, Châteauroux, Saint-Etienne, Nantes, Lyon, Lille, Nice and even Tahiti, so you don't have to head to Paris to soak up the Olympic atmosphere.
You could fly directly into any of these cities, and when you're in France it's easy to get from city to city by train. In fact, it's often much quicker to jump on a high-speed train than drive. You could see the sights and sports in Paris then take the train to Marseille in around 3 hours to see the sailing events – the equivalent drive takes 8 hours!
But while it does often take longer, driving is definitely a viable option. Hiring a car to pick up at the airport gives you the freedom to explore France and the Olympic venues at your leisure, plus you'll easily be able to explore smaller towns and villages in the countryside along the way.
Our guide to Marseille
Heading to Marseille for the sailing? See why France's second-city is the perfect blend of city break and beach holiday.
Marseille Travel GuideBest things to do in Paris when you're not watching the Olympics
See the Olympism exhibition at the Louvre
There are loads of events kicking off in Paris while the Olympics are on, and anyone fancying a spot of culture should see the Olympism exhibition at the iconic Louvre. It tells the story of how the Olympic Games were created and their evolution since the late 19th century.
Eat everything
We can confirm that the food in Paris is as good as everyone says it is. Whether you're after Michelin-starred dining or €14 three-course set menus, you're sure to find a meal that you love in this foodie city. We went there recently and treated ourselves to everything from croissants and crêpes to escargots and frog legs – take a look at our guide to the best places to eat in Paris.
Admire the Olympic flame in the Jardin des Tuileries
The opening ceremony will see the Olympic flame and athletes float down the Seine River in what's sure to be a great spectacle. But don't worry if you miss the ceremony, as afterwards the Olympic cauldron will be heading to the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries where it'll stay until 11th August.
Head to the fan zones
You can still soak up the atmosphere even if you don't have tickets to your favourite Olympic events. Fan zones will be set up all over the city, which will have food and drinks stalls and big screens showing all the sporting action.
Pretend you're an Olympic athlete
It's not just the athletes that get to have all the sporting fun this summer. Grab a set of boules and head to one of Paris's gorgeous gardens for a spot of pétanque, much loved by elder Parisians and local hipsters. Or unleash your inner Chris Hoy and explore Paris on two wheels – it's possibly the best way to see the city's best sights and great exercise too.
See what it takes to be an athlete
Get a glimpse into the life of professional windsurfer Sam Sills as he prepares for his biggest challenge yet.
Find out more...