Easy methods to survive Paris in the course of the 2024 Olympics

Other than the picturesque streets, aromatic cafes, and stray cyclists, the French capital may also be swarming with spectators—over 15 million are simply arriving for the Paris Video games. 

That’s along with locals and different French residents touring to the capital from totally different components of the nation. 

For the uninitiated, Paris is usually a lot. Lately, town has grappled with a mattress bug outbreak, dengue scares, petty crime, public transport employees’ strikes, and extra. 

Given the dual reputation of the Olympics and Paris, surviving (and thriving) within the metropolis can really feel like arduous work. Though Paris bought a really feel for managing huge crowds that flocked to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert events earlier this yr, the Olympics and Paralympics can have town buzzing with exercise over an prolonged interval. 

However fret not—Fortune spoke to tourism, insurance coverage, banking, and tradition specialists for his or her tips about navigating town and having an excellent expertise.    

Getting round

Like its different huge metropolis friends, Paris has an notorious visitors downside. Within the lead-up to the Olympics, a number of hotspots within the metropolis might be cordoned off, limiting taxi entry. 

“The biggest pitfall is going to be the traffic. It will be very hard to find your way around it, which is why being centrally located at a perfect hotel is the key,” stated Jonathan Alder, founding father of journey administration firm Jonathan’s Travels. 

“This level of crowds is going to be a challenge for Paris, specifically when it comes to traffic and crowding. For guests willing to pay for the top hospitality packages, they have created a workaround with a special traffic lane that will only be available to specific vehicles,” Alder informed Fortune.

When you plan to go to different components of France earlier than attending to Paris, he cautions in opposition to connecting by way of a serious Paris airport—whether or not Charles de Gaulle Airport or Paris-Orly. 

Whereas cabs (identifiable with a “taxi” signal on their hoods) are very a lot an possibility, public transport continues to be the easiest way to get across the metropolis. Street and station closures might hamper some routes, so the RATP and Public Transport Paris 2024 apps might be your folks for real-time updates on what’s working and what’s not. Additionally, preserve your eyes and ears open in case of any protests within the areas you’re heading to. Don’t overlook to go away sufficient buffer time for delays. 

Different protected options embody carpooling, renting cycles (a Vélib move may very well be useful), and exploring areas by foot.  

Uber is providing free ferries throughout the Seine River from July 12 to August 3 along with taxis.

Watch out for your Euros

When in Paris, watch out for how and the place you entry your cash. Vacationers habitually convert native currencies to their residence forex to search out one of the best offers in purchasing and shopping for meals. The implication? Alternate charges change day by day, even when solely by a small share, and it prices to make use of your house forex when you aren’t cautious.

All the time have some (however not rather a lot) euros helpful and ensure to transact solely in euros even when bank card machines immediate you in any other case, London-based fintech agency Sensible stated in a report about getting ready for the Paris Olympics. It additionally warns in opposition to resorting to airport or resort exchanges, which intentionally cost you extra.

“Airports and accommodations cater to a captive viewers. Their alternate companies will mirror this in

their greater charges and poorer charges,” the report stated. 

Different advised ideas embody having backup cost choices in case your main card fails and checking if your house financial institution has any associates in France that’ll take in among the transaction charges.   

There’s one other factor individuals want to concentrate on when exploring the streets of Paris—the pickpockets. 

“With more tourists in the city, there may be an increase in petty crime and scams targeting visitors,” stated Johannes Thomas, the CEO of German-based journey platform Trivago, citing the instance of “the friendship bracelet scam” at points of interest like Sacre-Coeur. 

“Avoid flashing any valuables or cash that may draw negative attention. Additionally, avoid street performers or street games, especially [ones] involving money, as this can often be a planned distraction to set up a pickpocket.”

Higher protected than sorry

There’s no simple approach out with the crowds, regardless of the place in Paris you go. So, it’s most likely finest to embrace it, Thomas stated.

“Expect overcrowding, long lines and overwhelmed services at popular tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and other major sites. Anticipate increased prices. Accommodation, food and transportation costs tend to spike during major events. Visitors may face significantly higher prices, especially for hotels and short-term rentals in central Paris,” he added. 

Planning journeys throughout peak journey season typically brings uncertainties—delays, last-minute cancellations, misplaced baggage, and extra. It’s tough to arrange for every of those situations, however journey insurance coverage will be the important thing to feeling extra answerable for your journey.

Folks might face three forms of dangers when touring: monetary, medical and journey, Rajeev Shrivastava, founder and CEO of VisitorsCoverage, a journey and medical insurance market, informed Fortune. 

“People [who] are making these trips have made some heavy investments, including their tickets and the stay,” Shrivastava stated. 

The dangers of impromptu cancellations, peak summer season warmth, and rampant petty crime might grow to be pointless stressors in a long-anticipated journey. That’s the place journey insurance coverage will help—it lifts the burden off guests, defending them in case of unexpected losses. 

“Many insurance policies have coverage for many of these events,” Shrivastava stated, including that insurance coverage is a device that folks think about with various levels of seriousness, relying on how a lot they’ve traveled. 

Shrivastava says one other approach to make sure security is to have emergency contacts who vacationers can contact. 

“Let your family remain informed [or] whoever you believe and trust about where you are, where you’re traveling to, and what of transportation you are taking,” he stated.       

When in France… attempt being French? 

Cruising your approach by means of Paris isn’t nearly getting on the fitting bus or staying in the fitting neighborhood. It’s additionally about taking in among the tradition and mixing into town the place you possibly can. Noel Wolf, a language instructor and cultural skilled at language studying platform Babbel, thinks studying some primary phrases is usually a game-changer. 

“Not only does being able to communicate in the local language facilitate cultural connection, but it is crucial for keeping travelers safe in high-stress, large-scale events such as the Olympics,” Wolf stated. 

Brushing up in your French may also turn out to be useful when asking for instructions or looking for assist, making you’re feeling extra protected. Folks are inclined to remorse not realizing the native language, including to the stress of journey, Babbel present in a survey.

“Travelers will also need to familiarize themselves with the geography and public transportation in Paris, so in the event of an emergency or getting separated from their travel partners, attendees can have a general idea of where they are within the city and navigate their way back home,” Wolf stated. 

Different etiquette ideas, similar to saying “Bonjour” and protecting a low voice at eating places, are additionally useful to recollect. 

And with that, try to be all set for a Parisian summer season. Protected travels, or because the French would say, bon voyage!