I am taking a vacation to Paris, France for 1 week starting this Saturday. Its a vacation package with some tours and meals included but obviously you have to pay for extras, shopping, etc... Has anyone been to France lately or is familiar with ways that you can pay there? 1. Would you recommend taking US Dollars there and then exchanging the currency once you are there? 2. Do they accept US Dollars in France? When I went on a trip to Kiev, Ukraine they love US currency there and would gladly accept it over their own ... I doubt that this is the case in France. 3. Would it be better not to take any money there and instead use a credit card or debit card to get money from the ATM once over there? I am going to try to use a credit card as much as I can so I dont have to worry about paper money but I doubt that taxi drivers take credit cars
I have always gotten a better rate exchange using my ATM and/or my American Express card. If you plan on taking your ATM card, make sure there will be machines that will take it. If it is a major bank, more than likely you wpn't have a problem. One of the "Fodor" type of guide books should give you more info. You can also probably find a good, informative guidebook at an AAA location.
Now as far as using credit cards such as American Express or Visa just to make regular purchases ... not to withdraw cash ... does it work the same way as here ... just swipe, sign, and go?
If you're with Bank of America, then by far the best thing you could do is take your ATM card over and use Barclays or BNP Paribas cash machines. BofA has an agreement where you don't have to pay any ATM fees if you use the partner banks' machines. It's what I did while I was in Paris/London around Christmas time. What they do is give you the best exchange rate to Euros of that billing period with NO additional fees at all. It's a bargain. Plus, Barclays and BNP Paribas ATM's are pretty common, at least where I was. I was able to find plenty around the Opera area where my hotel was and near the Seine and all those tourist attractions (Louvre, Orsay, Les Invalides, etc). If you choose any other way, you'll have to pay commission charges. Hope this helps http://bankofamerica.via.infonow.net/locator/atmbranch/
Yes, but if you use debit cards you'll incur extra penalty charges. Also, make sure you trust the place you're using the card, as you can never be too careful in Europe.
Good info. I am a Bank of America customer so this is good to know that BNP Paribas will not charge any fees if I use their ATM's - like you said they should give the best exchange rate. Hopefully they have an ATM at the airport
