I have a few questions as I will be going to France in a week for our honeymoon. Can we take out euros from the ATM with an American depit card? We are planning on bringing 3000 american money do think that this is enough for a two weeks in France. We like to go out to go for dinner alot and drink wine we don't have to go to expensive places.
Thanks sally

atm - yes usually about $250/day as long at ATM card or debit card is hooked to checking account - those hooked to savings accts may not work

why bring $3000 - ATMs - used for ten years now exclusivly - best rate of exchange - much better than changing checks or travelers cheques - very few French banks change money anymore so the exchange places offer abysmal rates usually. Bring travelers cheques as back up in case you ATM card doesn't work (mine have never failed but be sure the strip is not worn - need three-digit PIN number and tell your local bank what countries you're going to so they don't put a security block on transactions from there. And carry a few hundred dollars of cash - can be useful in a pinch. Don't get euros before leaving - terrible rate and any airport will have an ATM or exchange open no matter when you land.
$3000 should be more than enough even for your plans IMO

Why are you bringing US dollars? Yes you can use debit cards at ATMs in France, as long as you have a 4 digit pin number (most everyone does now except for the odd credit union). You will get a better exchange rate using your ATM card than you would exchanging cash for Euros at a bank or credit exchange there. SO leave your US $$ in your bank account and you will be fine. You should be able to get by on $3000. We have budgeted $5500 for on-the-ground expenses for just over a month in France & Spain (airfare and car rental have already been paid) this fall and expect to do fine.

Oh my..please don't take 3,000 in cash with you. You SHOULD have NO problem getting money out of the ATM with your debit card. Just be sure to tell your bank or credit union that you will be in France and the dates. Ask to speak to security when you call them. IF you want to have some euros with you when you first arrive, get a couple hundred if you want. I usually do that...many poster don't...but I like having some euros on me for transportation, tips, a snack..what ever, until I get my bearings. From then on, I use the ATM. I use my credit card for purchases. Also, it's going to be a pain in the butt for you to have to find a bank etc, to exchange your American $ and the exchange rate will NOT be advantagous to you. I use a lot of cash when in Europe because I like paying for my meals and other incidentals so I take the max out of the ATM that my bank will allow whenever I draw. I avoid haveing a lot of the indidental bank charges that way. On my last trip I was gone two weeks and made four draws. Anyway, please don't take that kind of cash with you and have a great honeymoon.

Am I reading this right ? You plan on taking $3000 (CASH ??? - I hope not) to Europe ???

ATM machines are all over the place, when we are in Europe we use them regularly with no problem. I think 99% of the people on this forum use them as well. You can get your Euros from an ATM with no problem.

If you want to have some Euros in hand when arriving just order some from your bank. We frequently do that, and yes, there is a service fee, but if you want the convenience of not having to go to an ATM immediately upon arrival it's a good thing to do. Probably 50-100 Euros is enough to have on hand if you order from your bank.

If you are thinking of $3000 in travelers checks, don't bother. With ATM's so handy it's the best way to go. I am just hoping this $3,000 is not in Cash.

I forgot to say that you can use a credit card for just about every purchase you will make in France. Perhaps you will need a few Euros for the odd small item, i.e. a newspaper or something like that, but you can pretty much not carry cash in today's society and not have a problem.

How are you planning to carry $3000 USD? Do you mean you plan to take that much CASH with you??

I suggest taking no more than $500 USD as emergency funds, or better yet $300 USD and $300-500 in Euro to get you started.

Best is to use an ATM card and take out what you need every few days or so. And use your charge card for major expenses like the hotel or if you do any shopping or fancy restaurants.

Just make sure you warn your bank and credit card company that you'll be using the cards abroad.

Taking that much cash with you is madness.

You wouldn;t do it in the US would you?

Then why do it in europe - it's not Mars. the natives don;t take shells or beads.

Just do the same as here - crdit card for big things and pull cast from ATMs for walking around money.

(We take $200 US mad money to change just in case - have never needed to use it.)

Sally, Ditto all everyone said. A few hundred dollars US cash should be sufficient. Using credit cards for purchases and meals etc is great, but be sure to check with your credit card company to see if they charge a foreign currency transaction fee. I think that's what they call it. Basically they add 2-3% fee for all the purchases you made in a foreign country. It can add up to a lot and will be a big surprise when you get your credit card bill and there's a big fee you weren't expecting. Using a debit card at an ATM should avoid that problem. Do what everyone suggests and you'll be fine. Have a great honeymoon.

My husband and I went to Germany for the first time last month and we just got cash from the ATM machines there. Very easy. We used cash for meals, sightseeing and so on because that made it easier to stick within our budget and also we didn't have the 2-3% transaction fee. We used a credit card for lodging, car rental, train tickets, and larger souvenier purchases. It worked out very well for us.

........and now that I have put my glasses on I apologise !! kittpom !
Don't take any cash of the US kind unless it is to spend at the duty free store at the airport !

kittpom is not a troll. Sally's been planning her honeymoon here for awhile.