Lodging Prices for Summer’s Paris Olympics Soar to New Heights

Paris hotel rates on the night of the Olympic opening ceremony are up 226% versus the same night two weeks prior.

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

Published · 2 min read
Profile photo of Sally French
Written by Sally French
Lead Writer/Spokesperson
Profile photo of Meghan Coyle
Edited by Meghan Coyle
Assistant Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

As the 2024 Olympics draw near, travelers seeking to experience Paris on a budget might find their dreams dashed against the cobblestones of economic reality. Lodging prices have spiked during the 2024 games, which run from July 26 through Aug. 11.

The average nightly rate in Paris and the surrounding region is 522 euros (about $570 at the time of writing) per night during the Olympic Games, according to a January 2024 report from the Paris Tourist Office. That’s about 2.5 times the average nightly rates in July 2023 and more than three times the average in August 2023.

On certain nights, prices are even higher. The average nightly hotel rate in Paris on the night of the Olympic opening ceremony is 1,033 euros (about $1,130), according to a December 2023 report from UFC-Que Choisir, a nonprofit consumer advocate organization. That’s a 226% increase over average room rates for the same weeknight two weeks prior.

Demand is high

With 10 million tickets available for the Olympic Games, expect a whole lot of people to flood Paris. For the Olympic opening ceremony alone, hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to line the banks of the Seine.

The athletes, staff and spectators expected for the Olympics are much higher than the number of people who usually visit Paris at that time. The volume of international airline bookings so far for the dates of the Games is up 116% versus the same period in 2023, according to a report from the Paris Tourist Office. And that’s not counting the people who may take the train or drive to the city for the event.

Vacation rental prices spike, too

It’s not just hotel prices seeing massive increases in supply and demand, but vacation rentals, too. Demand for short-term rentals during the Paris Olympics is 156% higher than demand for the two weeks before the games, according to vacation rental analytics company AirDNA. Prices are higher, too. AirDNA reports available vacation rental rates during the Olympics are 40% higher than the two weeks before.

How to save on lodging in Paris during the Olympics

If you’re heading to Paris during the Olympics, prepare for high prices across the board. That said, there are some ways to save on lodging.

Don’t wait to book

It’s true that room rates tend to drop closer to the arrival date as hotels seek to fill unclaimed spaces. But that doesn’t apply if the hotel is sold out. Especially given the expected crowds in Paris, don’t bank on finding a last-minute hotel deal.

If you’ve found a rate you’re at least willing to pay, read that hotel’s cancellation terms. Many hotels have flexible policies (free cancellation up to 48 hours before arrival is common). If that’s the case with your reservation, lock something in now. Then, if you see room rates drop closer to the Olympics, you can cancel and rebook to save.

Head to the suburbs

Average available nightly rates for vacation rentals in the suburbs are $302, compared with the $619 nightly rates within Paris, according to AirDNA.

Given the time and energy spent commuting, a 50% discount might not be worth it for folks who prefer to be in the center of the action. But for some fans, it might make just as much practical sense as financial sense. Many of the 35 Olympic venues are outside of Paris city limits anyway.

Use a better credit card

No matter what kind of international trip you’re taking, it’s always best practice to use a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. Otherwise, you could owe up to an additional 3% simply because you used your card outside the U.S.

If you’re shelling out big bucks for lodging, you might consider a credit card that offers bonus rewards on hotel spending. Most major hotel brands, including Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott, offer branded credit cards. If you’re booking alternative lodging, there are some good credit cards for Airbnb.

When it comes to the Olympics in the City of Lights, lodging prices are blinding. But with some planning, you might be able to secure lodging at a reasonable rate. As far as Paris travel goes, that’s a feat worth a gold medal.


How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:

Travel Cards from Our Partners
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-5x

5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

60,000 Points + $300 Travel Credit

Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Freedom Unlimited®
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1.5%-5%

Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Cashback

Intro offer

Up to $300

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

on Capital One's website

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
4.7
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

2x-5x

Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options

Miles

Intro offer

75,000

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Miles
See more travel cards
MORE LIKE THISTravel
Get more smart money moves – straight to your inbox
Sign up and we’ll send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money.