Credit Cards, Cash, ATM's?
 

We leave for France in two days and have been told to take very little cash, but use ATM machines to get cash as we go. We also heard that the fees to use the ATM's are high. We will be spending the first 5 days in Paris then touring the provences for the next 2 weeks. Will we be able to use Visa credit cards in the country and have access to ATM's for cash it the fees don't kill us? Or is there an advantage to taking Traveler's checks?

Everytime we go to Europe we seem to have the best luck with using Visa for everything we can and then using ATMs for daily cash needs. The rate I get on the exchange on my Visa is better than cash and the fee I pay for each ATM is about $1.50 each but still beats the exchange rate for cash at banks. I last used travelers checks in 1991. I never use my Visa for a cash advance as the fees kill you.

I have found traveler's checks to cost so much more in lousy conversion fees and time wasted in finding places to cash them. ATMs are definitely the way to go. Also, take credit cards for big purchases and always some standy by travelers checks just in case. When using ATM, go for the most you can debit (usually limit of $300 per day unless you prearrange with your bank). The fee is the same whether you take out the most or equivalent of $20. My credit union only charges $1 and you get the bank's wholesale rate...which is so much better than travelers checks. You can do a search on this site for much more information. ATMs are everywhere. Have a great time!

The only fees you get charged on ATMs are the ones from your own bank; call and find out how much it charges. My CU allows 4 free/month and charges $1 per transaction after that. And you do get an excellent exchange rate.

On our recent trip to Paris, the ATM rate was about the same as I got when using credit cards. Visa is the most widely accepted card in Paris, closely followed by MasterCard.

Use c/c if possible-more simple to deal with.

I didn't check the rate for our bank to withdraw from the ATM over in France. Turned out to be $3 per transaction (for overseas transaction). Seemed steep to me. Was very convenient though.