Travelling around Paris for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a disabled person
Last updated: June 17, 2024
Travelling around Paris for the 2024 Olympic/Paralympic Games
As Paris prepares for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the city is expecting around 350,000 disabled visitors. While several initiatives have been announced to improve accessibility, the reality remains that navigating Paris will still be challenging for those with disabilities.
Île-de-France Mobilités Shuttle Service
Within Paris, the Île-de-France Mobilités shuttle bus service specifically caters to wheelchair users and their companions. It appears you can only book this service if you’re a wheelchair user and have a “PFR ticket” (wheelchair user ticket) to the Games. You need to check the PFR box when you book a ticket to an event.
This temporary measure aims to address the city's traditionally challenging wheelchair-friendly transport options. The scheme primarily focuses on helping wheelchair users access the competition venues from any of the 8 rail stations. However, the service may face limitations in coverage and frequency. Importantly, according to the official Olympics website, bookings for this service will not be accepted if made less than 48 hours before the competition you plan to attend.
Find out more about the temporary shuttle bus network.
Tram Network Enhancements
All eight Parisian tram lines now feature level boarding and adaptable interiors, making them accessible for people with reduced mobility. Despite these improvements, overcrowding may cause these features to be blocked. It’s recommended to allow more time to board the trams as intended when traveling for the games.
Paris Metro Challenges
The city’s Metro, first constructed around 1900, is the second oldest in the world; and as one can imagine, this has led to accessibility being retrofitted in the modern age, rather than designed for. The Paris Metro has long been challenging for people with disabilities, with only one fully accessible line: the No. 14. This line is expected to extend to seven new stations, including a direct link to Aéroport d'Orly, by June 2024. Other Metro lines have incorporated tactile paving and audio-visual announcements, but overall accessibility remains limited, making navigation difficult for many disabled travelers.
Find out more about accessible routes on the RATP (Paris Public Transport) Website.
Increased Fleet of Accessible Taxis
The city announced that its own fleet of wheelchair-accessible taxis was to be increased from 250 to 1,000 vehicles, and Uber is adding 170 accessible vehicles by the start of the Games. However, finding accessible taxis during high demand periods, when games are starting and ending, will undoubtedly be subject to relative supply /demand issues that come with large events finishing at the same time. The official Paris 2024 website suggests that pre-booking or updating a provider about taxi needs is still not yet finalised, as there is no information on this section of the website. The priority and messaging has been placed on the shuttle bus fleet, as outlined above.
Driving
It should be noted that the UK Blue Badge Scheme may not be recognised in France since Brexit. You’ll need a valid European Parking card.
Getting there
Eurostar
Eurostar offers assistance in and around stations if pre-booked in advance. Eurostar Assist is based in the UK and so they do offer a “turn-up-and-go-assistance” option when departing from London if you’ve been unable to book in advance. Eurostar publishes unusually detailed accessibility information including for neurodiverse people on their website with guides available also in braille
Paris Aéroport’s Mobility Assistance Service
Paris Aéroport offers a Mobility Assistance service that must be booked in advance. This service aims to support travelers with disabilities at both departure and arrival points. However, travelers may experience varying levels of efficiency and availability.
Find out more about Paris Aéroport assistance.
Train Station Assistance
The SNCF is the national rail service of France. Free assistance is available at railway train stations for both departure and arrival, intended to aid disabled travelers. It's crucial to book this service in advance, as its availability can be inconsistent, particularly during peak times.
Find out more about SNCF assistance.
Travel Planning Tools
To navigate Paris during the Games, it's recommended to download the Île-de-France Mobilités app, which offers advanced mobility filters and travel planning tools. Despite these tools, visitors should anticipate potential challenges with public transport accessibility, book in advance, and leave lots of time for traveling between venues.
Stay updated
As the Games approach, staying informed about the latest developments in transport accessibility is crucial. Here are some recommended sources for updates: If any webpages open default to French language, you can usually ‘right click’ in a browser and the option to translate the page will appear.
Paris 2024 Official Website: The Olympics official information pages on transport and accessibility around the games.
Parisjetaime.com: The official tourism office has a comprehensive centre for Accessibility questions and options around the city, a section specifically for travel, and an Olympic Games FAQs published in June 2024.
The WebApp “My Paris je t'aime handicap” geolocates users and suggests activities and transport options to suit their disability.
The office has also set up a hotline with tourist information for people with disabilities: 0/(+33) 1 49 52 53 00 Remember to ensure international calls are allowed by your phone carrier.
Île-de-France Mobilités: Most up to date resource for public transport authority updates, and recommended that you download the app. Click here for the Olympic Games Accessibility FAQs website section.
RATP: Detailed information on Metro, bus, and tram accessibility, and how to prepare for travel depending on the accessibility types. Most FAQ articles have been translated to English.
WheelchairTravel.org: A blogger who reviews the accessibility of different tourist destinations, John Morris gives an overview of all aspects of accessible travel in Paris. His guide includes airport accessibility, activities, transport, and more (last updated 2018).
These sources are the best place to keep consistently informed and ensure a smoother experience navigating Paris during the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Where to stay in Paris
Explore our Clichy Collection, which offers detailed information about each hotel's accessibility.
Useful links Find up-to-date guidance on travel, safety, Covid-19 research and more.
RightRooms believes all information to be correct at time of going to press. As guidance, research and facts around Covid-19 are changing constantly, the information provided here is for general information only and does not constitute professional advice. Please check with venues, locations and attractions before travelling.