Euros
 

Should we get Euros at a bank in US or is it the same getting them in France?

It is cheapest and easiest to get them at an ATM machine in France. That's what everybody does nowadays.

ditto

At the risk of being obvious, though, only use an ATM/debit card linked to your own bank account to get your cash from an ATM in Europe. DO NOT use a credit card to do so.

Agree with all comments....for several hours of reading, do a search here on that topic..it's an almost daily discussion, with some good details.

Here is a link to a very helpful article on changing money in Europe: http://tinyurl.com/k3vy6.

Yes, definitely get only enough Euros here to get you through to your accommodations, then hit an ATM. I just had Euro sticker shock yesterday when I had to wire 250 E's to Italy, and the dollar cost was $346 plus $42 in charges!! I'm not used to this: the first time we went to Europe many years ago the dollar was very strong against local currencies, except in Britain.

Another caution: in Italy, we sometimes found an ATM (aka bancomat) that rejected our card. Do not panic. Make sure you have inserted it properly. If it still won't work, go to another one at another bank. Also, do not keep repeatedly inserting the rejected card in the ATM machine in the hopes that it will change its mind!! My daughter's card was then eaten by the machine and she had to wait in line in the bank for a half-hour to get it back, and then argue with the teller. And she speaks fluent Italian!

This will probably be the case in France, also.

Except in France she'll need to argue in French.

I always get my euros before I leave the US.....I have done this for many, many years and will continue to do so. One day in Sarlat I passed an ATM and I tried it just to see if it worked!! It did!

I prefer not to have to think about getting money when I travel..just take it with me, along with a number of credit cards. The small cost difference is well worth the convenience..to me.

Do get a Capital One card to avoid the excess fees.

Enjoy...

I don't know what applies in US but i've just asked my bank in Greece yesterday for my forthcoming trip to New York.
They told me that they charge 10€ for the transaction if it's 100$ or 1000$ transaction.

Also if i use my debit card in an ATM in NY, they'll charge 1% (per transaction) or 4,4€minimum charge. That means that it's best to take 500$ (5€fee) once, than 100$ five times. (4,4€ x 5).

Finally the best and most economical way of all is to have money only for small things and pay with your debit or credit card directly because that way there is no fee at all.

So i guess the best thing is to ask your bank about their policy. Hope that helps a little. :-)

Christine thanks for helping put it in perspective. Some of "us" in the US get so hung up about the "outrageous fees" that our banks charge, it's always refreshing to find out some foreign banks may charge 3 times as much for their customers!

NeoPatrick now I feel bad with my bank!! :-)