Should we purchase Euro's prior to arrival in Paris? We plan on using our credit card for everything that we can but am sure we will need some &quot;real money&quot;. How much suggested for 4 day trip?<BR>Is tipping customary there?<BR>Thank you! Babs

I always bring 300 Euros to start. Then we use the credit card as much as we can. Then we use ATMs. You may find that you'll need cash more than you think. If you go to the out of the way places, many places don't accept credit cards. Always have enough cash that you can cover your dinner or whatever you want to buy.

For my trip to Paris last month, I changed $100 US to Euros at the airport before departing. For the rest of the trip, I used my ATM card (part of PLUS and several other networks) at Parisian banks -- the exchange rate was MUCH better. How much you need depends on your travel habits. I paid for &quot;big&quot; purchases -- hotel, purchases at larger stores, evening meals -- with my credit card, and used cash for walk-around purchases and venue admissions. I probably spent about $50 euros a day on snacks, souvenier booklets, drinks, etc. Tips are usually included in restaurant meal purchases, but I usually included more if the service was good. Have a great trip!

If you have American Express, and you didn't wait until the last minute you can order traveler's checks in Euros. I did that last time, and it was great. All the places accepted them, although they weren't sure at first. They were the first time they had seen traveler's checks in Euros. The exchange rate wasn't bad, and they were fee-free. I try to carry a day or two's budget. 300-500 euros. You need to spend these before you come home though so as not to exchange twice. That always loses you some money.

Babs, <BR>this is a personal decision. Many here will advise waiting til you arrive &amp; using your ATM card at the airport because the exchange rate is better than getting euros here at your bank. You should have a 4 digit pin # for European ATMs. If it's longer, it may work using just the first 4 digits but, to be safe, you should change it to 4 before you leave. You should also make sure you have sufficient funds in your checking account for withdrawals &amp; alert your bank &amp; your credit card companies that you will be in Paris to avoid having charges declined.<BR><BR>On my recent trip to Europe, I got 100 euros at home just to be sure I wasn't roaming around the first day looking for ATMs.<BR>It's impossible for anyone else to tell you what you'll need in cash. It depends on how many you are, how you travel (cab vs metro), how you plan on paying for museums (a museum pass can be charged I think, but not individual entrance fees).<BR>Yes tipping is customary, but restaurant tips are included on the bill (you will see on the menu/bill &quot;servcie compris&quot; meaning service included). For more info on tipping do a search here-tipping AND paris.<BR>Bonne vacance!

that should read &quot;service compris&quot;

Personally, I don't think it is necessary to acquire Euro before arrival. The rates to purchase Euro in the US are obscenely low. Upon arrival, I hit the nearest ATM. What if the ATM is down, I hear people cry...if so, I have some US cash which I can use at an exchange place which will sting more than the ATM but far less than what you get in the US.<BR><BR>Could this possibly be an inconvenience after a long trans-Atlantic flight...I guess it depends on your definition of inconvenience. Personally, again, I don't think it's a big deal one way or the other. If there is a queue for the ATM's or the exchange, I don't bother as the RER from CDG into town takes credit cards; as a matter of fact the Metro system takes credit cards for all purchases of at least 1 Euro; most attractions take credit cards for admissions if above a certain amount( the Eifel Tower will take credit cards for admissions above 15 Euro). My attitude has always been to use credit cards everywhere they are taken to avoid having to deal with cash no matter how small the purchase.

For the last few years I've not been taking any francs, now euro, with me. However, last year the ATM was down at CDG, and whereas it was easy enough to find a cab that took credit cards, I think I will resume taking ~100 euro with me.

At least the dollar-Euro rate has been moving in favor of the dollar today.<BR><BR> Keith

Everyone has their own methods. I never change money in the U.S. because of the possible fees and/or bad exchange rates.<BR><BR>For a two week trip I take:<BR>1) $300-500 U.S. cash to change as needed, some when I arrive at the airport or later at a bank;<BR>2) ATM card for more Euro as needed;<BR>3) Travelers checks for emergencies only; <BR>4) Two credit card(s) but I only use them for hotels, major purchases or unexpected expenses. I prefer to travel using cash as I find it more straight forward (just my personal preference).

Personally, the only reason I'd ever purchase euros prior to a European trip would be if I strongly felt the dollar was going to fall vis-a-vis the euro by the time of my trip. Otherwise, I just get some cash at the airport when I arrive.

We recently came back from Paris. <BR>We found it most efficent to use the ATM. We took the RER from the airport to the hotel. I charged that ticket on my credit card. When we arrived at the hotel I found several ATM's. This way we didnt get gouged on service charges. It worked out great!!! <BR>As far as tipping. It is included in your bill. However...you are expected to leave more. Generally you would leave the amount of change to round up to the whole dollar and perhaps a Euro on top of that if the service was good.<BR>You'll get a good idea of this if you pay attention to other diners at the resaurant paying their tab. Have a great trip!!<BR>

By all means, bring some euros with you. A rule of thumb is to bring enough with you to have handy for airport transportation, taxis, metros, etc before you can get into the city and use an ATM. I usually bring 150 euros with me and that takes care of everything for the time I am there. I usually don't have to withdraw more euros for at least 2, even 3 days into my trip because the hotels take credit cards. I just use my spare euros for buying a croissant or something about town. <BR><BR>Tips are already included in your meal price, if the service is exceptional then you can leave more on top of that, but it is not necessary.

If you change money, please ask for smaller notes (10 or 20 Euros). For instance most taxi drivers refuse the 50 Euros note in Paris, not to mention the 100 Euros one!!!

What happens if you lose your card?You wont even have cabfare.Always have a plan B.<BR>Not everybody accepts ccs anyway - please note Amex is commonly not accepted, Visa &amp; mastercard are best.

What are the exchange rates and fees for using:<BR>1. Credit card (Visa)?<BR>2. ATM card?<BR><BR>On a trip to London I got my pounds by going to the front desk and having them put it on my room...200 at a time, twice total. Is this a bad practice?

ATM fee is based on your home bank's international per transaction charge if you use a machine in your system (i.e., Plus or Cirrus for me) and you get the exchange rate of that day.<BR>

What if I'm going to Britain first? Is it better to exchange Euros from Pounds or Dollars?

I never exchange money twice. You just end up paying more fees.<BR><BR>If you have left over pounds use them in the UK. Buy souvenirs as you leave or pay cash for a meal or part of your last hotel bill.<BR><BR>I know I'll be returning to Europe for my next vacation within the year so I return with extra euros to use for the next trip. It's really nice with the euro because most any country I go back to on my next trip will be a euro country.

For Biscuit, that's why I have US cash and ATM card. So, in England exchange for pounds (got to do this even if you only have a layover &amp; want to eat in Heathrow) and try to make it come out near even. Then onto your next country and change US into Euro. It's really not that hard once you are there.<BR><BR>And like Indy mentioned above, if you are returning anytime soon just hang on to Euro to start the next trip. Or sometimes I change &quot;leftovers&quot; with friends at home who travel as a favor for their next trip.