Cheap flights to Paris ahead of Olympics for as little as £27 if you 'seize opportunity'

Travel experts are urging Brits to make the most of "incredibly cheap" travel fares to Paris this month, before thousands visit the French capital ahead of the Olympics in July. With last-minute return flights from Manchester Airport to Paris Beauvais at just £27 with Ryanair and Vueling offering £57 return flights from London Gatwick to Paris Orly before the end of the month, now is the ideal time to bag a bargain trip to Paris, they said.

When it comes to the Eurostar, you can book return tickets for less than £100 if you travel before the Olympics start on July 26. Laura Evans-Fisk, head of digital and engagement at eurochange, said: “Paris is known as one of the most expensive cities in Europe and travelling to and from it usually doesn’t come cheaply either. So if you can save some money getting there, you should seize that opportunity.

“In July through to September when the Olympics come to the French capital, travel, accommodation and public transport costs will almost skyrocket. Métro tickets are set to double in price, with a book of 10 increasing from €16.90 to €32.

"The average hotel price is set to increase by 92% and air fares by 21%.” Laura explained that now was also the best time to visit Paris ahead of the crowds descending on the city over the next few months.

She said: “Being a capital city, Paris is obviously never quiet, but the Olympics is expected to attract 15million tourists, which will almost certainly mean it will feel extremely crowded. Visiting Paris during the Olympics would of course be an amazing experience, but my advice would be not to book anything last-minute.

“Over 50% of hotels across the whole of France are fully booked over this period, and the number is increasing daily. If you want to experience Paris without the crowds and price hikes, now is definitely the best time to visit.”

For travellers visiting Paris over the next few months, whether it’s for the Olympics or just before the event, Laura shares her budgeting tips to help you save your cash in the city.

Get your travel money in advance

Laura said: "Typically, the EUR rate only moves very slightly over any given month. Even when the exchange rate differs marginally when buying larger amounts, it can soon add up, so it’s worth keeping a close eye on the exchange rate before you head to Paris.

"I would always recommend buying your euros before you get to the airport or Eurostar train station, as the exchange rates tend to be far higher than when you buy in advance, in branch or online. Typically, Monday through to Thursday is the best time to buy your euros, as these are the least busy days for transfers, so you might see a little less fluctuation in the mid-market rate."

Use public transport, and buy your tickets in bulk

Laura said: “It’s a great idea to get hold of a weekly or monthly pass if you’re planning to use public transport on your trip. This will help you save quite a bit of cash. Although prices are set to increase for the Olympics, if you’re going to be using public transport regularly, it will still be more cost-effective to buy in bulk.

“The weekly and monthly travel passes are valid on all forms of public transport in the Île-de-France region, including Métro, RER, bus, tram and train, with the exception of the Orlyval, SNCF train lines with reserved seating, and the Optile special fare lines.”

Rent a bicycle

Laura said: “Paris is a very cycle-friendly city, and hopping on a bike is a great way to explore. Use Vélib', the city's bike-sharing system for short trips. If you’re visiting during the Olympics, there may also be temporary bike rental services set up specifically for this period, so make sure to look out for those.”

Avoid taxis and ride-sharing services

Laura said: “Ubers and other taxi services will be in high demand over the next few months, particularly during the Olympics, so they are likely to have surge pricing. It’s best to avoid these if you can.”

Book accommodation close to public transport stops

Laura said: “A simple hack, but if you can, book accommodation that is near to the Métro, or a bus or tram stop. This will mean you can get around quicker, and you can rely on public transport rather than taxis.”

Plan your routes in advance

Laura said: “Use apps like CityMapper to find the most efficient and cost-effective routes before you head out sightseeing each day. Paris is a huge city, so it’s also a good idea to stick to one particular area each day, rather than hopping from one side of the city to another.”