Hi there - is it best to use the ATM for cash in Paris or bring Traveller's checks. Do you really need Traveller's checks anymore now that there are ATM's. Also - shall I convert some money here in the states before going or do it at the airport? Thanks for your help! - Nan

I've been to Paris several times and have made most purchases on credit cards as the exchange rates tend to be better. <BR>You might want to check with your bank about oversea's ATM fees and compare that to the cost of getting travellers checks and fees at money changers. <BR>Personally, when I've needed cash I've just hit Le ATM.

Yes - use ATM's whenever possible for cash. Pay for everything possible with credit card. <BR>Yes - bring TC's also as emergency backup in case of a problem with your card (scratched magnetic stripe, the computer in your bank, whatever) <BR>Yes - bring $100 worth of francs - change them at airport when departing - so you have some francs to use for taxi, train, whatever in case of long lines at ATM's at airport or problem with them. <BR>For more Paris information e-mail me – [email protected]

Nan, <BR> <BR>My wife & I were in Paris last month (our first visit). I say definitely use cash. Restaurants absolutely prefer them, especially the more casual cafes and bistros. On two occasions we tried to pay by credit card, only to hear that the *machine is broken*--translation, they wanted us to pay in cash. I surmise that travelers checks would be viewed with similar disdain. <BR> <BR>You can make an ATM withdrawal at CDG, assuming that's where you're flying into. Also, we stayed in the 6th arrondisment and found ATM's to be relatively plentiful. <BR> <BR>Have a great time, and check out all the great information on this site if you haven't already. We received many valuable suggestions.

I was in Paris last month and used my ATM card. I would make a withdrawal each day so I couldn't have to worry about carrying too much cash. <BR>BUT my parents were with us and I convinced them to bring just an ATM card. It wouldn't work at the 25 different machines we tried. Luckily we brought a few hundred dollars worth of traveler's checks and we gave them money. <BR>Problem was that their ATM card was for their savings account not checking. Foreign ATMs apparently do not accept withdrawals from savings accounts. <BR>Also, we didn't bring any francs and planned on using the one ATM at the airport which of course was broken and we had to wait in line to change money. <BR>In my opinoin, ATMs are the best way to go. Just be prepared and bring t-checks in case. Have fun!

Not so fast. Traveler's checks are secure, and often issued and delivered for free. Foreign atms may charge you for each currency transaction, and so may your bank. Cards sometimes fail, are lost or stolen. <BR>And, it may depend on how lucky you feel, or how strongly you think today's exchange rate will be better than when you take your trip. In the last year I've seen rates as high as 7.89 ff per dollar to less than 6.7 per dollar. On large sums of money that spread can be substantial.If your trip is weeks away or longer, it may pay to enter the market now, buying traveler's checks denominated in French francs. Most hotels in Paris accept them.I paid my hotel bills with them in May 2001, and may 1999. I used them to pay a bill at the Tour d'Argent at the same time last May, and was not even required to sign them (I wonder if American Express honored the unsigned drafts?). <BR>I do admit that smaller merchants often try to avoid them. In those instances I use a credit card, if possible. They often come with very favorable exchange rates and no transaction charges(identified as such) to the user.By all means take some walking around money.Local currency is valuable for taxis, tips and incidentals. I detest changing money in airports (where exchange rates are not good), and, you never know who is watching. I get mine from the same folks who issue traveler's checks here.

Hi - thanks to all of you for help about ATM's and traveller's checks. A question for CHUCK - you mentioned you stayed in the 6th arrondisment. That is where I will be staying - at the Acacias St. Germain. Do you know of it and how did you like staying in this district? Where did you stay? Thanks! -Nan

Nan, <BR> <BR>I don't know of the Acacias. We stayed in an apartment probably south of where you will be, ours was a tiny street (Rue Joseph Bara) sort of between Rue Vivan and the Jardin Du Luxembourg, with easy access to Blvd Montparnasse (which was my favorite place to hang out). We did walk north through the Jardin and into the St. Germain area once. <BR> <BR>We loved the 6th. Lots of cafes along Blvd Montparnasse and interesting shops on many of the small side streets. The area felt alive but not overcrowded or extremely touristy. I posted a trip report about a month ago (can't remember the title, but you will probably hit it if you search *Paris*). <BR> <BR>Bonjour!

I bank w/a credit union that offers free unlimited ATM withdraws. When I was in Paris last year, I exchanged some money beforehand at very steep rates. I found that W/D from ATM on a daily basis gave me much better rates (I compared it to the credit card charges and trust me ATM exchange rates are at least 1% better than C/C). Plus it might be safer to use the ATM since you can just w/d a little bit every day. I think you will find that ATM's area plentiful everywhere.

If your ATM card has a VISA or MasterCard logo, you can use it like a credit card to pay for hotels, meals, etc. You can also use your ATM cards at banks and change bureaux as well. So, if the ATM system is down (banks, yours and theirs, batch at night, so the system may be offline for an hour or so, and it might be just at the time you're trying to get money so don't panic; try again in an hour), you can go into the bank or change bureau and ask for a cash withdrawal from a teller. <BR>Also, notify your bank you are traveling overseas; if they see "unusual" activity, they'll block the card. If this unfortunately happens, once again, don't panic. Call your bank during their working hours (get a non-800 # from them before you leave); they'll ask you some questions to verify the card's not stolen, and reactivate. <BR> <BR>Other than the aforementioned boos, I've never had trouble withdrawing money from my bank account; in the last ten years, I haven't taken TCs on any trip (OK I do keep a $100 bill rolled up in my wallet just in case; the thing is so creased I'm afraid it'll disintegrate). <BR> <BR>I always have about $50-100 in local currency for the country where I first land; you can get it through your bank or AmEx. Lousy rates, but I cannot deal with an ATM after 10 hours on an airplane and without coffee, and I don't want to depend on the ATM at the airport for money to get me into the city. Check around where you work; people come back from a trip with currency, and are usually glad to "sell" it to someone (especially coins; French use a 10ff COIN which can't be exchanged outside France - no bank wants to deal with the weight or hassle of coins so returning travelers are left holding it).

Hi: <BR> <BR>Get an American Express credit card. <BR> <BR>There are AE offices all around Paris. Get travellers cheques before you leave, bring some cash with you AND bring your credit card. ATMs are fine as well.