11 Things You Need To Know About Traveling To The Olympics

Whether during their ancient run in 776 B.C. to 393 A.D. or since their modern revival in 1896, the Olympic Games have always drawn crowds from near and far. Today, thousands of athletes from hundreds of countries participate, and millions of people attend the Olympic and Paralympic Games as spectators. According to Paris 2024 — the official ticketing website of the 2024 Olympics held in Paris, France — nearly 10 million tickets are "set to go on sale." But despite the Games' popularity, being able to attend a competition can be surprisingly complicated.

Witnessing amazing physical exploits and being a part of the cheering Olympic crowd in person is an unforgettable experience; traveling to the place where the Games are held can be, as well. But enjoying both to the fullest takes preparation, planning, and several major advance purchases. In a sense, you could say Olympic travel is a bit like being an Olympic or Paralympic athlete — you'll have to think ahead, call on a lot of different skills, and go for the Gold (in this case, the trip of a lifetime). There are some essential things you'll need to know about traveling to the Olympics, but with some preparation, you'll be well on your way to victory. 

Olympic events aren't all held in the same spot — or even in the same city. For instance, for the 2024 Paris Olympics, some events will take place in Versailles. That isn't too far from Paris, but other events will take place in totally different parts of France, including the cities of Bordeaux and Marseille — not to mention the French Polynesian territory of Tahiti!

Even if you're planning to attend events only in an Olympic city itself, it's important to be aware of how far those are from each other if you want to see multiple events on a given day. If an official Olympic and Paralympic venue map is available, it's a good place to start. A resource like Google Maps can also give an estimated travel route and time. Keep in mind that during the Games, things will be more crowded than usual, so be sure to build in some extra time. 

Also, be sure to factor in time for lines, security checks, and other things that might take time at the venue. For instance, the 2024 Paris Games' official site recommends arriving an hour and a half before an event is set to start. You'll also want to make sure you know how far the event location is from where you're staying. And, of course, if possible, try to choose accommodations close to the event(s) you're attending.

Whether the Games are being held in a destination that's typically crowded or a bit off the beaten path, it will be crowded during the Olympics and Paralympics. That's why it's a good idea — maybe even essential — to book your transportation and accommodations as soon as you know which events you're going to attend. If you need to take (a) flight(s) to get to your destination, most major airlines allow you to buy tickets around 330 days before your departure date. When it comes to the Olympics, most experts advise booking your flights as soon as that window opens in order to avoid price hikes (a very common side effect of Olympic travel) or limited options.

Finding a place to stay might be more complicated than you'd expect, with some hotels entirely booked by the International Olympic Committee far in advance. Add to this the fact that the Games often take place during the height of tourist season. With this in mind, try to reserve accommodations as early as you can. Luckily, some hotels and rentals allow bookings more than a year in advance. If you aren't able to book the flight or accommodation you expected, remember to stay flexible. For instance, consider flying into a different but nearby airport and taking ground transportation from there to your destination.

Nowadays, having a working phone with you seems like a "must" for many travel situations. The Olympics and Paralympics fall under that category. For one thing, as of the 2024 Summer Games, all tickets are electronic, so at the very least, you'll need to be sure they're downloaded and your phone is charged so that you can show them at the venue. Many airlines, train companies, and anywhere else you've made a reservation may also send you alerts if there's a cancellation or delay.

So make sure that your phone charger is compatible with local plugs and voltage — and be sure to do this for any other electronics you plan on bringing, as well. Look for a plan or carrier that works in your destination. Some phone plans have an international option you can activate, so that might be a good place to start. If all else fails, find out where you can purchase an inexpensive phone or SIM card at your destination.

Some things you're planning to bring may not be legal in your destination; be sure to look up local laws before you go. You can usually find this information by doing a web search for "forbidden items in" followed by your destination country. You might be thinking this is an unnecessary step, but some laws can be surprising. Obviously, most hardcore drugs are illegal just about anywhere, but certain countries may also ban things like CBD products, alcohol, electronic cigarettes, and even Kinder Surprise Eggs.

Even if the purpose of your trip is to attend the Games, it's a good idea to get to know your destination. In addition to knowing what to expect in terms of accommodations and food options, learning about where you're headed can be a way to have an even more amazing experience. You may find yourself with some downtime between events, so find out how safe it is to walk around and which neighborhoods you might like to visit.

If you have a lot of unscheduled time, consider taking in some non-Olympic draws of the place you're in. Check out a museum, take a tour, delve into one of your interests, see a performance, or opt for something offbeat or less well-known. Remember that some attractions may require making a reservation in advance. Sure, all of this does mean more planning, and after everything you've done already, that may feel unpleasant. But it will be worth it!

Researching budget options for things like food (including grocery stores!), entertainment, and local transportation is also a good idea. After all, between tickets, accommodations, and transportation, your Olympics trip is likely to be on the pricey side. With a little research, you can learn how to eat, explore, and have fun in your destination on the cheap — or, in some cases, even for free.

It's surprisingly difficult to find information about what spectators are allowed to bring to Olympic and Paralympic events. So you may have to contact someone via the official site for the Games you're attending. For instance, as of this writing, a representative via Paris 2024's customer support was able to confirm that spectators at the Paris 2024 Games can bring  "a reasonable quantity" of food and drinks — they just have to fit into a backpack of up to 25 liters. Glass bottles and containers aren't allowed, and neither are tins and cans, so stick with plastic bottles. For the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, alcoholic beverages are prohibited due to French law. An exception will be made for VIP ticket holders, though, according to France 24.

For outdoor events, be sure you have sun protection (sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, etc.) and a parka or raincoat if it rains. For the Summer Games, you may also want to consider things like a cooling towel or a paper (or mini-electric) fan to keep you from overheating. And for the Winter Games, don't forget gloves, a hat, a warm coat, warm shoes, lip balm, and any other gear to keep you comfortable. Venues' and Games' rules can vary, but keep in mind that while cell phones will probably always be allowed, you won't be allowed to bring things like drones, professional cameras, laser pointers, and radios. On the other hand, don't forget your tickets and ID!