We are travelling to France next month and are unsure whether to take travellers cheques, cash or rely on ATM machines - any suggestions?

Definitely ATM's. I do, however, bring some cash to start with, as well as to keep on hand for back up in case I can't find an ATM.

Leave the traveler's cheques alone. You'll get pillaged on the exchange rate (not to mention the purchase rate), plus they're a complete pain the rear.

Take two ATM cards, two credit cards and some cash. Split them between the two of you and each should wear a money belt. Wear on the plane or put on just prior to arrival.

Agree totally with previous posts. Travellers cheques have never really been that popular in Europe, but are now even less so now after the increase in ATM's.
These cheques cannot be used as cash like they are in the US.
I would take a small amount of cash to use upon arrival, but then find an ATM as soon as you can.

"How should we take our cash to France" A ? would not go amiss.

What is the point of taking the cash out when you get there? It's still the same amount.

Take all your cash with you and if necessary top it up, and if you have any left over what is the hardship?

When you go out in your own local do you ask others how to carry cash?

What's the problem in taking too much? Please worry about more important matters!

(Almost) all of the previous posts make sense. ATMs work just fine. Make sure you have a numeric PIN and that you have sufficient funds in you PRIMARY account (i.e. don't expect to be able to get to your savings account via ATM, just your checking account).

In France, ATMs are "guichets automatiques" and they display a sign showing a hand holding a credit/ATM card.

To avoid any confusion, when the previous posters say to take some cash, I think they mean get some euro at home (say $50 worth if you're in the USA, for example) to start off with when you get there.

The problem of "taking too much" is of course, the possibility of theft or loss. And if the cash is USD then there is the problem of exchanging it for Euros. At your airport of departure you can get some Euros--maybe $100--in order to have some when you arrive and not have to search immediately for an ATM. Charge as much as you can on your credit card--the rate of exchange will be the best available. Use ATM's for daily cash needs. At the end of the trip use as much of your Euros as possible--pay the hotel bill with some. Be sure to check all your pockets--DH didn't and we ended up with a bunch and lost a lot on turning them back in.

M. Kingdom, it was a valid question (lack of punctuation notwithstanding), and your advice isn't really very helpful. North American banks tend to charge well above the exchange rate to people who want to buy foreign currency, and since they probably don't have the bills on hand, they usually add a delivery fee on top of that. As long as there are no extra conversion fees, it is more economical to use ATMs in Britain or Europe. We travel to Europe frequently so we tend to carry a euro "float" over from year to year. But anyone who wants to convert their foreign currency back to dollars will lose again.

You can order euros from your bank for pickup or sent to your home . So convenient... and we usually take quite a few euro which makes it simple not having to exchange with a European bank after arriving. Then we use a credit card for hotels, and carry an ATM card "in case" we run short.ATMS are very simple and efficient in France, even in small towns. One can usually estimate pretty closely,,,,but if you have euro left over on the last day you can use all your euro to pay the hotel and charge the rest. We have always been advocates of travelers checks, but very rarely use them anymore.

ATM and credit cards are the easiest way to go. I usually have some (free) travellers checks with me just in case, but have not needed them. Be careful in the amount you request. The dollar is worth less than a euro. We were not able to withdraw 300 euro as it equates to over $300 U.S., and you cannot withdraw over $300 daily. Asking for 250 euros was not a problem.

I always travel with ATM cards from two different banks. I know I'm overly cautious, but this is something I don't want to deal with while on vacation.

Thanks for all your responses - it's going to be the ATM and credit cards for us!

In every country in the world, the "tourist" exchange rate will always be well below the actual rate, thus ensuring the banks a profit. When I travel to Europe (from London) I always buy a large amount of euros in order to avoid having to use a credit card - this way one knows how much an item costs by using the rate at which the money was purchased.

m_kingdom: You might know exactly how much you spend by using cash but you don't necessarily save. As mentioned by other posts, U.S. banks have high charges in addition to unfavorable exchange rates. The exchange rate for credit purchases usually is somewhere between the bank rate and the tourist rate, as is the ATM rate. Cash to cash exchanges are usually less advantageous to the customer.

Be very careful when using an ATM. If someone offers to "help" during or after a transaction, leave quickly. I had just taken my money in Arles when a guy quickly observed that I hadn't gotten a receipt (I didn't request one). I left before he had a chance to "assist". The ploy is to obtain your ATM card number plus the PIN. Sometimes they jam the card slot so that you cannot retrieve your card. So be alert and be very sure of what you are doing.

Regards,

Jinx Hoover