Paris Olympic Games: The cost and where should you stay

The Summer Olympic Games are gearing up to take place in Paris next year, and “baguette fencing,” in which participants must duel with stale baguettes, might be the hot new sport. I am still traumatized from being told not to play with my food as a kid, so I’ll leave it to the Parisians. 

Returning to Europe for the first time in a decade and to Paris for the first time in 100 years, the 2024 Summer Olympic Games will take place from July to August next year, and will host a variety of sports from gymnastics, basketball, and kayaking, to breakdancing. 

With 500 days to go before the opening ceremony, now is the perfect time to start mapping out your itinerary and calculating total costs on an excel spreadsheet (big yawn!). 

How do I get tickets? 

The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will sell all 10 million tickets through their official online ticket platform, with online registration for a draw open between March 15 and April 20 and general ticket sales opening in late 2023. Single tickets will be available from May 11, with one million tickets starting at €24 and almost half of the general public tickets priced at €50 or less.

“On Location” is the only authorized hospitality partner selling tickets, which are bundled with hotels, transport, and exclusive experiences around Paris.“On Location” has customizable hospitality packages priced at less than €100, which include immersive experiences that celebrate Parisian culture. These experiences are grouped into six categories, from history and culture to family-friendly and active wellness, and offer activities like macaron-eating tours and visits to Jardin d’Acclimatation, Paris’s oldest amusement park.

Where should I stay? 

The games will be held in various parts of the city, so the best place to stay will depend on which events you’re attending. Some events, such as the opening ceremony and Paralympic Games will take place along the River Seine and Champs-Élysées, respectively. Other events like athletics and rugby will be at the Stade de France, while archery, fencing, and climbing will be at the Invalides and Grand Palais.

Public transport will provide easy access to most venues, so staying further out of the city can save money for budget-conscious visitors. If you’re looking to save some money on the trip and splurge most of it on getting there, check out this budget guide on touring the city of love.