Paris in April-Need help
Feb 14th, 2007, 08:35 AM
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Paris in April-Need help
Hi, Our flights are booked, our hotel reserved, we are going to Paris for five days mid April...now I need help with everything else. We have never been to Europe, have only traveled in North America. We have many questions. Do we keep our passport with us all the time? Is it safe to keep our passports in our room safe? I have been reading travel books and there is always a section on the pick pockets, the street kids at the airport etc. Do I need to worry about losing my purse/wallet etc.? Should we get travelers checks or just use our Visa or cash. As you can see we have many questions and we always appreciate all of your advice. Thank you very much....Ptm
Feb 14th, 2007, 08:45 AM
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Hi ptm
We always leave all of our valuables, including passports, in the room safe. We do not use travelers checks anymore. Credit card or ATM's for cash-on-hand. And, my husband, the money carrier, wears travel pants with zippered pockets most of the time. He was surrounded by a group of gypsies, young girls to be exact, during the day in Florence. They came up empty handed thanks to the zippered pockets. I was carrying a purse with camera, guide book etc and they never even looked my way. It's really important for you to do what is most comfortable for you. We've used money belts in remote areas but they are not easily accessible. Just good common sense and an awareness of what could happen around you is the best advise I can offer.
We always leave all of our valuables, including passports, in the room safe. We do not use travelers checks anymore. Credit card or ATM's for cash-on-hand. And, my husband, the money carrier, wears travel pants with zippered pockets most of the time. He was surrounded by a group of gypsies, young girls to be exact, during the day in Florence. They came up empty handed thanks to the zippered pockets. I was carrying a purse with camera, guide book etc and they never even looked my way. It's really important for you to do what is most comfortable for you. We've used money belts in remote areas but they are not easily accessible. Just good common sense and an awareness of what could happen around you is the best advise I can offer.
Feb 14th, 2007, 09:04 AM
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Hello ptm!
You are going to love Paris...we, too, are going in April. You'll receive many different opinions to your question depending on individual's comfort level. My husband & I always, always keep our passport with us in our money belts along with credit cards & majority of cash. I am not comfortable using the room safe - but that's just my personal preference. My husband keeps a minimum amount of cash in front pants pocket - not enough to where if he were pickpocketed it would be a great loss. Same with the small purse I carry - nothing of tremendous value. I want to relax while on vacation and these are the things I do to ensure my comfort. We do not use travelers checks - primarily credit cards & cash. While in train stations/subway stations be particularly cautious and focused. You should be fine and I hope you have a wonderful trip...
You are going to love Paris...we, too, are going in April. You'll receive many different opinions to your question depending on individual's comfort level. My husband & I always, always keep our passport with us in our money belts along with credit cards & majority of cash. I am not comfortable using the room safe - but that's just my personal preference. My husband keeps a minimum amount of cash in front pants pocket - not enough to where if he were pickpocketed it would be a great loss. Same with the small purse I carry - nothing of tremendous value. I want to relax while on vacation and these are the things I do to ensure my comfort. We do not use travelers checks - primarily credit cards & cash. While in train stations/subway stations be particularly cautious and focused. You should be fine and I hope you have a wonderful trip...
Feb 14th, 2007, 09:21 AM
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I carry my passport in a zippered pocket. Note that you will not need your passport when you land, it is only for anit-theft reasons that you would carry it around.
There are pickpockets in every major city, Pairs is no different. But you will not be walking down a street with hordes of youthful hoods looking at you and wispering amongst themselves. Paris, NYC, Toronto, London...do as you would in any major city. In November 2006 I had a winter jacket with lots of pockets, so i had wallet,passport, and camera each in a different zippered pocket. It's NOT as bad as the perception that seems to exist, similarly the people are not all rude, in fact very few.
There are many things you CAN do for money on a trip, but only a couple you SHOULD do. Don't bother with TCs, they are just another way for financial companies to make money. You pay to get them and you pay to cash them...either directly, or in the exchange rate they charge you. And do you want to be planning any part of your day to go find a bank of AMEX office? There are ATMs everywhere, link up your ATM card to your bank account (not CC cash advance) and off you go. Use your credit card for major purchases (hotel, big gifts) and cash otherwise.
My CCs (VISA and AMEX) gave me a decent exchange rate in Paris last fall. I used cash for everything, but bought a couple of small items with CC just to see the exchange rate.
More to come...
There are pickpockets in every major city, Pairs is no different. But you will not be walking down a street with hordes of youthful hoods looking at you and wispering amongst themselves. Paris, NYC, Toronto, London...do as you would in any major city. In November 2006 I had a winter jacket with lots of pockets, so i had wallet,passport, and camera each in a different zippered pocket. It's NOT as bad as the perception that seems to exist, similarly the people are not all rude, in fact very few.
There are many things you CAN do for money on a trip, but only a couple you SHOULD do. Don't bother with TCs, they are just another way for financial companies to make money. You pay to get them and you pay to cash them...either directly, or in the exchange rate they charge you. And do you want to be planning any part of your day to go find a bank of AMEX office? There are ATMs everywhere, link up your ATM card to your bank account (not CC cash advance) and off you go. Use your credit card for major purchases (hotel, big gifts) and cash otherwise.
My CCs (VISA and AMEX) gave me a decent exchange rate in Paris last fall. I used cash for everything, but bought a couple of small items with CC just to see the exchange rate.
More to come...
Feb 14th, 2007, 02:57 PM
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A word of advise on ATM's - first don't forget you will get Euros from the ATM and your bank will debit you the correct exchange rate. Most important - only use a debit card at a machine where the bank is open at the time you are getting your cash. The machines in France suck the card all the way in before returning it - I once had the machine fail to eject the card - when I went to the bank the next day I had to retrieve my card from hundreds in a pile collected by the bank. So if you are on a day trip somewhere and your card is sucked in you may not be in the same town the next day to get it. I always get 500 euros from the ATM at the airport on arrival and if I need more I use banks during the daytime when they are open.
Also - many places do not accept AMEX so bring Mastercard - and call your credit card and tell them you are traveling so your card does not get frozen for suspicious activity.
Also - many places do not accept AMEX so bring Mastercard - and call your credit card and tell them you are traveling so your card does not get frozen for suspicious activity.
Feb 14th, 2007, 04:43 PM
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Hi, ptm,
We just returned from Paris, and we loved it! It was our first foray away from N. America. I kept our passports on my person at all times, even at breakfast, using a document holder on a neck cord (inside shirt). A travel companion kept his in his wallet, back pocket, the whole trip, no problems. But I am a worrier and that's what it took for me to not worry.
I took lots of traveler's checks, but the cashing process is laborious and it can be difficult finding a place to cash them, don't waste your time in Paris doing that. I'd probably take $100-200 worth as an emergency security blanket. Credit cards/ATM are much easier.It is very important to notify your credit card/ATM companies of your trip, as was previously suggested. I gave advance notice but they still put a lock on my card during my trip, a major inconvenience. I also had difficulty using the card several other times, possibly because it was thru a small credit union instead of a large bank. I was glad we had another credit card & ATM card along. As for safety, we were around Paris day and night and felt totally safe at all times, not our usual response to cities. We tried to always be aware of our surroundings and have our "antennae" up, but everywhere we went, even the subways, felt safe. Most people just seemed to politely go about their business. And we never encountered ANY snooty Parisians. I didn't take a purse because of fears of pickpockets but a large purse there for day use. It was nice to HAVE to go shopping there to purchase it! Travelling to Paris isn't that different from travelling in the states, just some surprising and some charming differences. You are smart to do your homework now, and I hope you enjoy your trip immensely!
We just returned from Paris, and we loved it! It was our first foray away from N. America. I kept our passports on my person at all times, even at breakfast, using a document holder on a neck cord (inside shirt). A travel companion kept his in his wallet, back pocket, the whole trip, no problems. But I am a worrier and that's what it took for me to not worry.
I took lots of traveler's checks, but the cashing process is laborious and it can be difficult finding a place to cash them, don't waste your time in Paris doing that. I'd probably take $100-200 worth as an emergency security blanket. Credit cards/ATM are much easier.It is very important to notify your credit card/ATM companies of your trip, as was previously suggested. I gave advance notice but they still put a lock on my card during my trip, a major inconvenience. I also had difficulty using the card several other times, possibly because it was thru a small credit union instead of a large bank. I was glad we had another credit card & ATM card along. As for safety, we were around Paris day and night and felt totally safe at all times, not our usual response to cities. We tried to always be aware of our surroundings and have our "antennae" up, but everywhere we went, even the subways, felt safe. Most people just seemed to politely go about their business. And we never encountered ANY snooty Parisians. I didn't take a purse because of fears of pickpockets but a large purse there for day use. It was nice to HAVE to go shopping there to purchase it! Travelling to Paris isn't that different from travelling in the states, just some surprising and some charming differences. You are smart to do your homework now, and I hope you enjoy your trip immensely!
Feb 15th, 2007, 02:56 AM
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According to the french embassy in Australia, it is the law to carry your passport on you at all times.
Is this ever policed? I haven't heard anyone ever mention that they had been asked for their passport (other than at an hotel), and I just wondered if you didn't have it, would you be fined or warned, or what ?
Is this ever policed? I haven't heard anyone ever mention that they had been asked for their passport (other than at an hotel), and I just wondered if you didn't have it, would you be fined or warned, or what ?
Feb 15th, 2007, 03:48 AM
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I'm with Travelnut on the passport issue.
I have visited Paris 10 times now and if the hotel does not have a safe in the closet which is sequenced by your own code, I leave my airline tickets, passport & extra cash and back up credit cards in a sealed envelope in the hotel safe.
I also photocopy my passport leaving a copy in my suitcase and one in my purse. I saw my friend loose her wallet in the metro (Concorde) with such swiftness we never knew what hit us - I carry only the cash & cards needed for a days outing.
Have your wits about you and you'll be fine. Have a wonderful trip!
I have visited Paris 10 times now and if the hotel does not have a safe in the closet which is sequenced by your own code, I leave my airline tickets, passport & extra cash and back up credit cards in a sealed envelope in the hotel safe.
I also photocopy my passport leaving a copy in my suitcase and one in my purse. I saw my friend loose her wallet in the metro (Concorde) with such swiftness we never knew what hit us - I carry only the cash & cards needed for a days outing.
Have your wits about you and you'll be fine. Have a wonderful trip!
Feb 15th, 2007, 06:59 AM
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Hi Everyone, Thank you very much. This great information and I truly appreciate all the advice. I am concerned about losing my passport, money, cards etc. So I will be very careful and good advice regarding keeping important items in the an envelope in the hotel safe. Ptm
Feb 15th, 2007, 07:23 AM
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Yes it's true, you are supposed to always have ID on you in France - but I carry a photocopy of my passport.The original, xtra cash & airline tickets you can leave in the reception safe.
Common sense is the main point- of course when you are in the hottest tourist areas like N Dame, Eiffel tower etc...you are most at risk. The metro would be the next risky area.You would not believe how many tourists I've seen that leave their purse unzipped, especially while taking photos. Prime time to be a target when you are obviously preoccupied!
I have been living in Paris 1 1/2 years, use my bank card all the time, & never had it "sucked up".
Common sense is the main point- of course when you are in the hottest tourist areas like N Dame, Eiffel tower etc...you are most at risk. The metro would be the next risky area.You would not believe how many tourists I've seen that leave their purse unzipped, especially while taking photos. Prime time to be a target when you are obviously preoccupied!
I have been living in Paris 1 1/2 years, use my bank card all the time, & never had it "sucked up".
Feb 15th, 2007, 07:37 AM
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I believe you should also have a 4 number pin for your ATM card.
Not all hotels rooms have safes, so plan for that possibility. I also like the idea of photocopying everything. I've never had anyone ask me for ID, expect many years ago when cashing TCs, so that no longer applies. Once you clrae customs and the hotel front desk, your passport is no longer needed.
Personally, I like to tour "light", so no big camera bag, guide books etc. I carry a map, and then photocopies of any tourist info I may require. Doing this I hope to minimize any miscreants looking at me and saying 'hey look at those packsacks and camera bags, must be some goodies in them'.
Not all hotels rooms have safes, so plan for that possibility. I also like the idea of photocopying everything. I've never had anyone ask me for ID, expect many years ago when cashing TCs, so that no longer applies. Once you clrae customs and the hotel front desk, your passport is no longer needed.
Personally, I like to tour "light", so no big camera bag, guide books etc. I carry a map, and then photocopies of any tourist info I may require. Doing this I hope to minimize any miscreants looking at me and saying 'hey look at those packsacks and camera bags, must be some goodies in them'.
Feb 15th, 2007, 08:16 AM
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I suggest you get money belts. Look and decide if you like the kind that goes around your waist and tucks into your pants with your shirt tail or the kind that goes under your shirt and hangs around your neck.
The good part about the waist type is you can turn your back and untuck if you need to get into it for some reason as opposed to finding a place where you can get undressed to get to it. They are comfortable and will hold your passport, credit cards and your "big" money.
I know it is wierd but I also put in our itenerary with flight numbers and hotel phones and phone number for the US embassy or consolate for the cities we are in.
The good part about the waist type is you can turn your back and untuck if you need to get into it for some reason as opposed to finding a place where you can get undressed to get to it. They are comfortable and will hold your passport, credit cards and your "big" money.
I know it is wierd but I also put in our itenerary with flight numbers and hotel phones and phone number for the US embassy or consolate for the cities we are in.
Feb 15th, 2007, 09:45 AM
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FWIW I stopped using a wallet in Paris and use one of these instead...
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...ch&feat=sr
The strap goes aroound my neck and the case goes under a jacket or a vest, and it snaps and zips shut for safety.
What is the address of the hotel?
Pjk
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...ch&feat=sr
The strap goes aroound my neck and the case goes under a jacket or a vest, and it snaps and zips shut for safety.
What is the address of the hotel?
Pjk
Feb 15th, 2007, 10:53 AM
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Recently I've read a number of reports of thefts from hotel room safes. I wouldn't trust them. Leave your valuables in the hotel safe. Better carry them on you in a money belt.
And watch out for pickpockets on the Metro.
And watch out for pickpockets on the Metro.
Feb 15th, 2007, 12:57 PM
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A note on using ATM's abroad. Here in the US, I can select which account I want the money to come out of (checking or savings), however, when I was overseas, it did not give me the option and automatically withdrew it from my checking account..... Make sure you have transferred enough cash into your checking account!
