PAris Olympics 2024
Our Unforgettable Journey to the Paris 2024 Olympics
This past summer, we had the incredible opportunity to attend the Paris 2024 Olympics. Our adventure began on July 28th when we left Dulles International Airport at 8:45 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, flying Swiss Air directly to Zurich. We arrived in Switzerland at 4:50 a.m. East Coast time, after an eight-hour and five-minute flight. Our travel group included myself, my mom, my daughter, and my niece.
Exploring Switzerland
We stayed in an Airbnb in Brig, Switzerland, from July 29th to August 2nd. The Airbnb was fantastic, featuring two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a wrap-around patio. The weather was phenomenal, so we walked everywhere, visiting nearby grocery stores like Migros. We spent roughly 40 Swiss francs at the grocery store on pizza, fruit, cheese, beer, and ice cream. Our Airbnb cost around 600 dollars for five nights and it was within walking distance of the train (less than 5 minutes)
During our stay, we enjoyed hanging out with my dad, shopping, and celebrating Switzerland's Independence Day at his house. On August 2nd, we left Switzerland and embarked on a train journey to Marseille, France. This involved taking three trains, which turned out to be a less-than-ideal experience due to the crowded conditions and the number of bags we had.
Marseille and the Olympics
In Marseille, we stayed in another fantastic Airbnb right on the ocean. The host was great, and the location was perfect for daily ocean visits, which Oshumari loved. We were in Marseille for the sailing events, with our first Olympic game on August 6th. We received lots of great swag at the marina, including bags, hats, and maps. Although we had tickets for the sailing event, we found the Paris Olympics Club area more enjoyable, with better seating and food options.
We left Marseille on August 7th, taking two taxis back to the train station due to the small size of the Ubers. Our Airbnb in Marseille cost 400 dollars for our stay from Friday to Wednesday.
Nantes and More Olympic Fun
Next, we traveled to Nantes to watch a football (soccer) game at La Beaujoire Stadium. This was a bronze medal ceremony, and my niece and I had tickets for the event. We stayed in Nantes until August 9th, in another great Airbnb with two bedrooms and one bath. However, we had some issues with the host's expectations regarding check-out procedures.
On August 9th, we took a train to Paris to explore the city and soak in the Olympic atmosphere. We then returned to Nantes and prepared for our flight back to the United States. Our United Airlines flight from Charles de Gaulle to D.C. was at 11:00 a.m., so we left our Airbnb early in the morning.
Reflections and Costs
Overall, our 14-day trip to the Paris 2024 Olympics was an unforgettable experience. We enjoyed exploring Switzerland and France, attending Olympic events, and spending quality time together. However, we did encounter some challenges, particularly with train travel and certain Airbnb hosts.
Here are some of our expenses:
Groceries in Nantes: 28 and 57 euros
Snacks at the stadium in Nantes: 28.49 euros
Dining out in Marseille: 104 euros
Groceries in Marseille: 58 euros
Train tickets: 350 dollars for a 30-day pass for myself and my niece, 300 dollars for my mom with a senior citizen discount, and my daughter traveled for free due to her age.
Despite some hiccups, we had a fantastic time and are already looking forward to the Winter Olympics. If you decide to attend an Olympic event, we'd love to hear about your experience!