The 2024 Olympic Games kick off later this week, which means millions of tourists will be travelling to Paris, using the metro, buses and trams to get between sports venues and beyond. It also means that public transport tickets and passes will be in high demand, which could be an opportunity for fraud, The Mayor reports.
A study conducted by SR.de (the Saarland’s regional broadcaster) shows that tourists should be wary not only of scammers trying to sell them tickets to the Olympic opening ceremony on July 26 (which are free, by the way), but also regular public transport passes for the French capital.
Scams with the latter concern, in particular, the so-called “Passe Navigo” – a season ticket, which is valid for travelling in public transport in Paris and the French region of Ile-de-France. Its cost depends on which zone you use it in, but goes up to almost €80 a month. However, scammers in Facebook groups are offering such fake passes for around €20 a month.
The Paris mobility authority says it has already opened criminal proceedings against several suspected fraudsters. However, it is best to exercise caution and common sense and only purchase public transport tickets through official sources at points of sale or online at the RATP website.
For Olympic guests, a one-week pass is available for €70. It entitles you to travel in all fare zones and at all sports venues.
Fares in public transport in Paris will go up until September 8. When it comes to public transport tickets in Paris, the reality is that they have gone up in price since last weekend. They will now cost residents and visitors to the city €4 instead of the standard €2.15. Similarly, travelling on regional RER trains will cost €6 instead of the usual €3.20 to €5.
The reason for the sharp increase in fares is the expected increase in pressure on the city’s public transport network and the need to increase its capacity in the short term to meet the surge in passenger numbers. The new prices will be valid until September 8.
