Paris 2024: Last-minute tips to attend the Olympic Games

The Summer Olympics arrive in Paris from July 27 to August 11, 2024. It is usually advisable to book tickets, flights and accommodation as early as possible to take advantage of the best rates. However, if you feel the urge at the last minute to take part in the biggest multisport event on the planet, we’ve got a few tips to help you save money and make the most of it.

After doing some research, we were surprised to see that prices aren’t that high to take part in the Paris 2024 Games; whether it’s airfares, accommodation or even tickets to Olympic events. And with competition venues spread across several cities in France, you’re spoilt for choice.

There are many possible strategies for saving money, but first and foremost we advise you to establish a starting point in your adventure; whether it’s an affordable flight to a European destination, an Olympic event you want to attend more than anything else, or a good deal found for accommodation in one of the venues hosting the competition. For each of these elements, we’ve compiled a few tips for you.

Don’t leave for Paris without the right credit card in your wallet!

The Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card will be your best ally at the Paris 2024 Games. As a global partner of the Olympic Games, Visa will be the only payment method accepted at Olympic venues. In addition to being accepted everywhere, the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card will save you 2.5% on the conversion fees charged by most Canadian credit cards.

Here are just a few of the card’s many advantages:

• Earn Scene+ points on your expenses and redeem them to reimburse part of your trip.
• Six free VIP airport lounges, so you can avoid the crowds while waiting for your flight
• 25-day travel insurance, which can be extended if required

Will you be in Paris during the Games but don’t have a ticket yet? You can create an account to receive the latest news from the official ticketing service. Every Thursday at 10 a.m. Paris time, new tickets are made available to the general public; be the first to know by receiving the official newsletter.

No tickets left for the event you want to see? Don’t give up hope, as there is also an official resale platform that you can consult regularly for last-minute tickets.

Many tickets are available for as little as 15 euros! It includes access to the elimination rounds of soccer matches, among others. Many rugby matches are also priced as low as 24 euros.

You can search by event, city and date, giving you the flexibility to take part in the Olympic experience during your trip.

The most expensive rates are for the opening ceremony (on the Seine) and the closing ceremony. All tickets are available in euros, so you’ll save 2.5% in conversion fees by using your Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card at checkout.

Numerous hospitality packages are available to the public offering an exclusive experience. These packages are available in two categories:

• Hospitality Packages: Include tickets to the events of your choice and exclusive access to hospitality lounges on the competition site or at emblematic venues in Paris. Prices start at 85 euros.
• Travel packages : This package includes the same benefits as the Hospitality packages, but also hotel accommodation and access to world-class lounges. Prices start at 495 euros, but are probably higher.

Support and concierge services are included in both packages.

You’re on site, but couldn’t get tickets to cheer on your favorite Canadian athlete or team? Join the celebrations at Canada Olympic House in Paris! The ultimate place to cheer on Canadian athletes live, Canada Olympic House will be open every day from July 27 to August 11, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Don’t have your plane tickets for France yet? A quick search on Google Flights and Skyscanner shows fares available at $1,000 and under for a round trip, which is a very decent price in high season, and especially, during the Olympic Games.

By paying with the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card, you can then use your Scene+ points in exchange for a statement credit to reduce your flight expenses. For more tips, follow our guide to finding last-minute flights.

You might think that accommodation would be unaffordable during the Paris Games period, but our research shows otherwise.

For example, this quick search on Airbnb for a stay from August 1 to 4, right in the middle of the Olympic Games, shows us that it’s possible to stay in the heart of the city for as little as CAD 163 a night!

The advantage of booking with Airbnb is that you can enjoy accommodation with kitchen and save on meals for a trip that was decided at the last minute.

As with flight purchases, when you pay for your reservation with your Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card, you earn Scene+ points, which you can later redeem for statement credit on your accommodation transaction.

Similar scenario on the Scene+ Travel side, with numerous options for less than 300 CAD per night. By using the platform, you earn 3x points and can redeem your Scene+ points to cover the cost of accommodation in part or in full.

These Olympic and Paralympic Games will be particularly special, as they will be the first to be open to the public since the end of the pandemic, and therefore since the PyeongChang Games in 2018. If you’re thinking more and more about experiencing the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games live, now is the time to plan your trip, equip yourself with the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card and follow our tips to live this extraordinary experience without breaking the bank.

Don’t forget to check out our practical Paris travel guide for more tips on how to make your Olympic experience even more enjoyable!