5 top ride tips for Paris 2024

With the Olympics and Paralympics taking place in Paris this summer, visitor numbers are expected to reach 15 million. And while the City of Light’s public transportation system remains one of the best in the world, car services offer a convenient and comfortable alternative, especially when traveling as a group or with luggage.

That being said, the influx of visitors to Paris (despite a reported slump in international bookings) and the other French cities hosting this year’s Summer Olympic events, mean it pays to be prepared, even when it comes to a reliable service like pre-booked private ground transfers.

1. Book in advance

There are going to be a lot of people trying to get around during the Olympics. Which means that ASAP car services like ride-hailing and roaming options such as cabs and taxis are likely to be in short supply.

And, with ride-hail surge pricing, probably a lot more expensive than usual as well. Even travel by Metro, bus, tram and RER, typically the most cost-effective ways to get around, is doubling in price (although a "Paris 2024" pass gets you unlimited travel to Olympic and Paralympic venues).

You can’t pre-book for every ride you need to take, but wherever possible we recommend locking in your ride at least 24 hours in advance. More if possible. Especially where you know you’ll need them, like airport pick-ups and drop-offs, or collection from Gare du Nord if you’re traveling by train.

Talixo rides can be pre-booked to and from the airport and for point-to-point trips, including from train stations to your hotel. And the price you book is what you pay, including any tolls, fees and gratuities*.

*Additional fees will be charged for extras, such as child seats, additional pick-ups/drop-offs and any additional waiting time.

2. Right-size your ride

There are a number of things to consider when picking the right sized vehicle for a ride. Get it wrong and passengers can be left feeling cramped, uncomfortable and irritated. Or, in the worst case, with no ride at all if the driver can’t accommodate the extra space needed.

And with demand for rides expected to be extremely high during Paris 2024, there are no guarantees of an alternative being available at short notice.?

So it pays to put in the extra time to make sure you know exactly how many people are traveling, including children and any child seats needed, and an estimate on the size and amount of luggage passengers are likely to be traveling with. And then pick the right ride for the job.

The rule of thumb for a Talixo ride is one piece of standard luggage measuring 55cm (22”) x 45cm (18”) x 25cm (10”) per passenger. Typically, our Sedans can fit three passengers and three pieces of standard luggage. And our Vans take up to eight.

Large suitcases count as two standard pieces of luggage, so if your passengers are taking a lot with them, or traveling with oversized items like sports equipment, consider booking a larger vehicle.

3. Plan for traffic

In addition to the standard traffic you'll experience in any large city, Paris has introduced dedicated lanes for the use of accredited and emergency vehicles during the Games. So, if you’re booking a ride to a location where traffic congestion is likely to be high, such as Olympic venues and tourist hotspots, make sure that you factor in plenty of time to get there.

Certain areas of the city may also have security restrictions, making some drop-off locations inaccessible to drivers - you can check the areas and routes that will be impacted by day and hour here.

If your ride travels within the city’s secure perimeters, passengers will also need to register for a digital pass, or Pass Jeux, via the official website.

If the drop-off location is in a restricted area, Talixo drivers will make every effort to drop passengers at the nearest possible location. For passengers with accessibility issues, contact the Talixo support team using the online chat on our website or Talixo's Self-Service Center.

4. Make the most of modern ride tech

Reputable ground transfer operators are focused on giving passengers the best possible ride experience. And that means employing the latest technology to help make each ride smooth and stress-free.

From flight tracking and real-time GPS driver tracking to automated driver location checks and route optimisation to ensure on-time performance.

And 24/7 multilingual support providing round-the-clock peace of mind and support should passengers need it.

Every Talixo ride includes GPS driver tracking, sent via SMS text 20 minutes before pick-up, without the need to download an app. And each airport pick-up includes flight tracking so that the driver is waiting when passengers reach arrivals. Talixo’s multilingual support team is also available 24/7 for both passengers and agents.

5. Stay connected

Driver-passenger communication is essential to providing a smooth ride experience, which means having correct passenger contact information.

It ensures that passengers receive all of their pre-trip information, such as driver and vehicle details. And it means that drivers can stay in touch with passengers before the ride, to re-confirm details or in case there are any last-minute changes due to traffic or unexpected issues accessing the pick-up location.

Don’t have all of your passengers' details when you book? Talixo's Self-Service Center allows you to easily update contact information. So drivers can keep passengers in the loop at every stage leading up to the ride.

P.S. Don’t forget to remind your passengers to keep their phone charged and turned on when they arrive!

We’d love to understand more about how you're handling ground transfers for your travelers and what your future plans are - email our team at [email protected] to request a brief intro call.