Heading to the Olympics in France: Here’s What You Need to Know

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The Olympics 2024 will be held from July 26 to August 11 in Paris. The event will last for 17 days, with approximately 198 days left until the show.
• Nationals from 109 countries need a Schengen visa to attend the Summer Olympics, and they are recommended to start their visa application and buy their ticket ahead of time to avoid unexpected situations.
• Over 400,000 tickets for various sports are on sale, with some priced at €50 or less and two-thirds priced under €100. On top of ticket prices, attendees should also consider the rising prices of accommodation and transportation.

The Olympics, the highlight event of the year for sports lovers, is scheduled to take place in the French capital – 100 years after they were last held here. Millions of spectators are expected to attend the event – some being sports enthusiasts and others supporting their national teams or athletes.

The Olympic Games 2024 will start on July 26 and last a total of 17 days – until August 11, which indicates that around 198 days are left until the show. A total of 40 sports are part of the Olympics, and around 10,500 athletes from 206 NOCs will compete in Paris this year.

The Paralympics, which is the international sports competition for athletes with disabilities, will be held from August 28 until September 8. The sports event is expected to bring together athletes internationally as well as attract millions of tourists to France, which has historically been the most popular destination for travellers in Europe.

Here is a comprehensive list of necessary travel documents, accommodation and ticket details that those who plan to attend the Olympics this year must keep in mind.

Since France, a Schengen state, is hosting the show this year, nationals of some countries are required to apply for a Schengen visa in order to be able to enter the zone.

Nationals from 109 countries in the world, including China and India, need to obtain a Schengen visa in order to attend the Summer Olympics. It is recommended that nationals of these countries start their application as early as possible, considering that processing applications can take time and impact travel plans.

Visa application includes booking an appointment at least two months before planning to travel, while the earliest one can file for a visa application is six months prior to the trip. The latest visa application can be filed at most 15 working days before you intend to travel, but the most recommended time to file a visa application is at least three weeks before the trip.

Applying for a Schengen visa includes several requirements, such as filling out the application form with personal information, travel and invitation information, and the date and signature of the applicant.

Necessary documents for visa application include a valid passport, two passport-sized photos, travel insurance, flight itinerary, accommodation proof and bank statements proving sufficient financial means, among other things.

In addition to a visa, visitors from these countries should check the duration of their travel documents in order to calculate their legal stay in the EU. The same applies to all tourists whose passports have to be valid for at least three months beyond the date of leaving Schengen territory, which, in this case, means that a passport must be valid until November.

France Now Issuing Visas Digitally Through ‘Olympic Consulate’

As of January 1, France has started operating a new system that will process applications from 15,000 international athletes, as well as 9,000 journalists and delegations from foreign countries that will be participating in the 2024 Olympic Games.

The implementation of such a system makes France the first EU country to issue visas digitally, with the measure being introduced in an effort to facilitate visa applications for more than 70,000 attendees at the Olympics in Paris.

It [the system] is indeed necessary to guarantee the issuance of visas within timeframes compatible with the successful organisation of the Games. 

France Ministry of the Interior

Previously, the 2024 Paris Olympic Games services and relations manager, Alejandro Recalde, announced that athletes and officials who hold a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa are exempted from the requirement to apply for a French Schengen visa to attend the event, as they will be able to use their existing visa.

Buy Your Tickets in Advance!

Over 400,000 tickets for all sports at the Olympics, except for surfing, which is free, have been out for sale, the official Olympics website announced in November.

The same reveals that one-third of the tickets will be available for €50 or less, with around two-thirds priced under €100. Depending on the sport, the ticket price can vary between the cheapest set between 5€ and 3,000€, with finals being the most expensive.

In order to be prepared for any unexpected situation, it is best to buy tickets in advance, which also can result in getting a great deal. The earlier you get the tickets, the cheaper they are, while those who decide to attend last minute will have to pay large sums of money.

Travel Insurance Is a Must

Tourists to Europe are always advised to purchase travel insurance when travelling to the zone, as it can protect them from unexpected expenses.

Companies like AXA Travel Insurance, Europ Assistance, Allianz Travel Insurance, Mondial Care, Mutuaide and DR-WALTER offer some of the most affordable deals so that tourists can enjoy their trip to France and have a great time at the event of the year.

Accommodation & Transportation Prices Have Increased Ahead of the Olympics 2024

Expenses during the Olympics can be high as the regional transport authority previously revealed that the prices for metro tickets will almost double from July to September 2024 in order for the country to cover the cost of expanding the transport network for the Paris Olympic Games.

Single tickets will be sold for €4, compared to €2.10 now, and 10-ticket blocks for €32, compared to €16.90 currently.

As per accommodation, Paris hoteliers have raised concerns over the recent announcement by the French government to triple the tax paid by visitors on hotel nights during the Olympics. The government has said that the 200 per cent increase in the tourist tax will help finance public transport.

Tourist tax in Paris currently ranges from €0.25 per night for the most basic accommodation to €5 per night for luxury accommodation alternatives.