I am wondering what to do with my sure to be excess CHF I will have. Going to Switzerland for 4 days and when I use the ATM I'll try to take out only as much cash as I think I'll need, but of course there's no way of knowing for sure. If I have extra francs, will I be able to exchange them in France to Euros once I get to Paris?

Yes, Swiss francs, along with North American dollars and Japanese yen are among the last major things needing to be changed.

Are you staying in a hotel? If so put all your remaining francs on the bill when you leave and merely charge the rest. Or pay cash for you final bigger meal. With just a little planning -- even at the last minute -- you should easily be able to use up the bulk of your francs.

Sure you can change them again, but each time you go thru a different currency you pay a bit.

I would try to use them up. The hotel bill is a good trick. Or better yet buy some Swiss chocolate to take home with you with the remaining CHF. Grocery stores (Migros) have a good selection at reasonable prices.

If you do find yourself in a situation where you have to change some money, make sure that you change all the coins possible to paper money as the exchange places don't take coins.

Also, if you are flying then a last minute purchases at the duty free shops in Switzerland will take all your Swiss Francs plus any other major monies or CCs to cover the difference.

I try to plan so I don`t have much left. Then at the airport, I spend whatever I have left over on good swiss chocolate, which I bring home and give out as gifts, that is, if I don`t eat it all myself!

Oooh the hotel idea is good Neo. Our last night in Switz we are at the Eden Palace in Montreux. I'll try that there.

Or else I'll just have to buy lots and lots of swiss chocolate.

jenblase - I would be happy to take some chocolate off your hands!!

And I would be happy to take the extra francs - I live just up the road a bit in Lausanne!

It seems you'd be better changing them for euros in Switzerland at banks as it seems they pay a better rate with less commissions. Plus many French banks don't change money anymore IME and you may have to use the Travelex type exchanges with predatory exchange rates.

And take some $20 or $100 bills as changing money in Switzerland at train stations is easy and they seem to again pay a decent rate - to get by your last days.

Don't forget to save enough for the train ticket to the airport.

The suggestion above about having smaller USD to change at train stations is an excellent one, so help you come out closer to even.

I'll be taking a train to Paris from Lausanne, and I have a Swiss Pass, so I won't need money for the train. (unless perhaps for refreshments)

Beaupeep, maybe I can meet you in Lausanne to give you my francs.

Oops I meant I have prepaid TGV tickets for Lausanne-Paris - lest you think I was going to try to use my Swiss Pass for that train!!