Travel by bus to the Olympic Games

If you're traveling by bus to France to attend the 2024 Olympics or Paralympics, find out all about your rights under the European regulation 181/2011 if you are traveling by bus more than 250 km to or from the European Union.

 

  • Check the bus departure and arrival points. Some stops may be outside bus stations.
  • Choose your timetable wisely if you have to catch a flight or make it to an appointment, as you won't be entitled to any compensation if you're delayed by traffic jams.
  • Your journey may include one or more connections. Check your ticket and ask the driver for assistance if necessary.

 

Be sure to bring your valid passport or identity card. Drivers do not carry out systematic checks on departure, but checks may be carried out during the journey by national authorities.

Please note! If your under-age child is traveling alone, with a single parent or with another adult, check whether an authorization to leave the country is required.

During breaks, don't miss the departure time. Drivers are not obliged to check that all passengers are present before departing.

Also keep an eye on your luggage as it is travelling under your responsibility.

If your bus journey is cancelled or delayed at departure by more than 2 hours, you can choose between :

  • re-routing to your final destination at no extra cost and under comparable conditions;
  • a ticket refund (and, if applicable, a free return to the original departure point).

If you were not given this choice, you are entitled to compensation equivalent to 50% of the ticket price AND a refund.

For journeys of more than 3 hours which are cancelled or delayed by at least 1.5 hours, you are entitled to free assistance, including:

  • drinks, snacks or meals in reasonable quantities, depending on the waiting time;
  • accommodation if necessary. This accommodation may be limited to 2 nights and to €80 per night. It is not due in the event of exceptional circumstances such as extreme weather conditions or natural disasters.

No. If your bus to the airport or station is late, you can't ask the bus company to reimburse you for your missed train or plane. The tickets were purchased separately, and the regulations governing these two modes of transport are different. You may be able to claim compensation in court if you can prove that the bus company was at fault.

Tip: allow sufficient time for connections between your different modes of transport.

 

You are responsible for your luggage. The carrier is only liable in the event of a bus accident.

Advice :

  • Before departure, remember to take a photo of the contents of your suitcase.
  • Avoid valuables in your luggage if you can’t keep it with you.
  • Keep an eye on your luggage during stops.
  • In the event of theft, lodge a complaint with the police, then file a complaint with the carrier, presenting invoices or receipts of the lost goods.

    If your bus has had an accident, you are entitled to compensation for personal injury, death or loss of luggage.

    No, disability or reduced mobility are not grounds for refusal to board. Nor can you be asked to pay a supplement for these reasons.

    However, there are two exceptions:

    • If safety on board is not guaranteed;
    • If the vehicle or infrastructure (stops, coach stations, etc.) do not allow for safe and operationally feasible travel.

    In this case, you may request that a person of your choice accompany you free of charge to alleviate any safety problems that might prevent the trip.

    Yes, you are entitled to special assistance at bus stations and when getting on and off the bus. If necessary, a companion of your choice can travel with you free of charge.

    Be aware that you might be unable to use your disability card from your home country to benefit in France from priority access or personal assistance. Such national cards from other EU Member States are currently not automatically recognised during a short-term stay in France. The European Commission has proposed to establish a harmonised European Disability Card but such a card won’t be available yet during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

    For more information EU passenger rights for people with disabilities or reduced mobility - Your Europe (europa.eu)

    • First, contact the carrier in writing. Retain proof of your correspondence.
    • If this effort proves unsuccessful, proceed as follows:

    - If you live in France, you can receive assistance from a consumers’ association, whose contact information is available on the DGCCRF’s website. You can also report your problem with the hotel operator or the rental property owner on the SignalConso platform.

    - If you live in another EU Member State, Iceland or Norway, the European Consumer Centre for your country can assist you. Visit the ECC Network website for its contact information.

    - If you live in a non-EU country, contact the embassy or consulate of your country in France or report your dispute on the websiteeconsumer.gov, via the complaint form or contact the members of consumersinternational.org

    Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.