The hottest event in the world this summer is the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France. The world's best athletes will gather in one space to compete and, hopefully, go home with goldthe rest of the world will be competing against each other to try to travel across Europe.
Even if travelers aren't heading to the City of Lights, but rather to other European destinations, they will still have a hard time getting around due to the extra traffic surrounding the Olympics.
Check: 11 Expensive Vacation Destinations That Will Be Cheaper in 2024
Read more : 6 Unusual Ways to Make Extra Money (That Actually Work)
GOBankingRates reached out to a few travel experts to find out why the Olympics will make Europe a tricky summer travel destination and some tips you can pack, whether you're planning to go for a global sporting event or not.
Here are some of the The hardest places to get to in Europe this summer and some of the reasons why it will be difficult to get in and out of these places:
Paris
Especially the airports where everyone is going to land.
“Paris-Le Bourget (LFPB) is Paris's premier business aviation airport, but the airport is approaching its full capacity for July and August,” relayed Felipe Reisch of Bitluxa private jet charter company.
Restrictions will be applied in Parisian airspace during the opening ceremony: traffic at Charles de Gaulle (LFPG), Orly (LFPO), Beauvais ((LFOB)) and Le Bourget (LFPB) airports will be suspended from 15:30 UTC to 22:00 UTC on July 26.
“Flights can also be repositioned during busy periods,” Reisch continued. “Le Bourget already offers rapid turnaround and repositioning operations to the Pontoise (LFPT) and Paris-Vilaroche (LFPM) aerodromes. Alternative airports should therefore be considered to avoid congestion or restrictions.”
London
Apart from Paris itself, the main destination that is expected to attract many travellers from all over the world is London.
“As a major hub for travelers to Paris, there is potential for visitor numbers and prices to increase,” said Justin Crabbe, CEO and founder of Jettlya private jet charter service.
“London will be uncomfortably crowded,” predicts Layne Tisdel Martin, director of exploration at Wanderluxé.
“The Eurostar connection makes it an attractive base for Olympic participants, which can lead to accommodation shortages and overcrowding of attractions in the British capital,” Crabbe said.
“Paris is only a short train ride away, so many people are combining their travel to the two cities and some are even flying to and from London to get a cheaper airfare,” Martin added. “Travellers should expect Eurostar, FlixBus, Unibus and regional airlines to be overbooked. They should also expect London’s (already expensive) hotel market to be expensive.”
Amsterdam and Brussels
In Central Europe, expect to encounter other travelers coming and going from major cities, including Amsterdam and Brussels. This is in addition to the other tourists who flock to these cities at this time of year just to see the sights.
“Being close to Paris and connected by high-speed rail, these cities could see an influx of Olympic visitors,” Crabbe said. “Their proximity could make them popular accommodation alternatives, which would translate into higher prices and busier streets, museums and restaurants.”
Swiss cities
With Switzerland sharing a border with France, it can be expected to be the destination that could serve as a pre- or post-Olympic point for other travelers.
“Zurich and Geneva, being relatively close to Paris and offering luxury experiences, could attract high-end visitors, potentially increasing prices for high-end services and accommodations,” Crabbe noted.
The Greek Islands
Are you going to Greece? Be careful, there are more people than usual on the islands.
“As popular summer destinations, places like Santorini and Mykonos could see even higher demand than usual as (travelers) combine Olympic visits with island getaways,” Crabbe noted.
Munich and Frankfurt
As major air travel hubs, these German cities could see an increase in transit passengers, which could affect hotel availability and prices for those making stopovers, Crabbe said.
Lisbon and Porto
“Portugal’s growing popularity as a tourist destination could be amplified during the Olympic period as visitors seek alternative European experiences, which could lead to overcrowding and price increases,” Crabbe said.
Central European Cities
“Prague, Vienna and Budapest could see an influx of visitors eager to explore more of Europe before or after the Olympics, which could lead to an increase in the number of tourist sites and higher accommodation prices,” Crabbe said.
Travel Tips for Europe This Summer
What are some tips that travelers planning a trip to Europe near or during the Olympics can take with them on their summer trip?
Book as early as possible
And even if you do, be prepared to be flexible in your plans, as everything could suddenly change at any moment.
“Book your accommodation and transportation well in advance and consider visiting less popular destinations or traveling during shoulder seasons to avoid the Olympic rush,” Crabbe advised.
Plan to spend more
This means budgeting for higher costs and being prepared to spend a little more.
“Expect inflated prices for hotels, flights and attractions across Europe,” Crabbe advised. “Set aside extra funds or look for cost-effective alternatives like vacation rentals or less touristy locations.”
Get ready for the heat
“Europe is nowhere near as air-conditioned as the United States. Which was not a problem historically, but climate change is here,” Martin shared.
“I used to spend my summers in London and since 2020 I don’t do that anymore because there is so little air conditioning it’s terrible,” Marin noted. “Most hotels in Paris have air conditioning, but it’s worth checking with yours to make sure.”
“Be wary of B&Bs and small independent hotels, as they may not have air conditioning. Many shops don’t,” Martin advises. “The Paris Metro has no air conditioning, which means you can’t get anywhere without arriving in a sweat, unless you take a taxi during what will be the highest fare period ever.”
Embrace the local experience
“Instead of battling the crowds at major tourist sites, explore lesser-known neighborhoods, regional towns or rural areas to experience authentic European charm without the Olympic frenzy,” Crabbe suggested.
More from GOBankingRates
This article was originally published on GOBankingRates.com: I'm a Travel Expert: 8 Reasons Why the Olympics Will Make Europe a Tough Travel Destination This Summer
