Seeking Currency Conversion and Pocket Cash Recommendations for Paris Trip

Most recommendations are to take a hundred or so Euro with you from the US just to get you through the first day or so - taxis, trains, etc. Then use a debit card at a bank owned ATM for addition Euro as needed. Master and Visa cards are widely accepted but small vendors prefer cash and may accept only cash. Cash is always easier to use but credit cards work well also. The taxis we took last month in Paris did not accept credit cards.

Hi Janet. I would second Frank's good advice. Enjoy your trip!

I always just hit an ATM when I land, often while waiting for luggage to come off the carousel. I usually have a few left over EUR or CHF from the last trip. I understand that the ticket automats at CDG train station finally allow credit card use. And as a last resort, you can always use credit cards at the ticket window, although it may be a 20 minutes wait in line.

I don't know why using an ATM would be unacceptable. The French use ATM's just like we do. The way to get some walking-around cash.

Janet,

Using local ATM's is absolutely the best and least expensive way to get cash in Europe. These should answer your questions....

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz0UCZkPqbA (the relevant part starts at about the 2M:35S mark).

Remember to advise your bank about your travel dates before leaving home - if you don't, your purchases can be declined. Normal 24-hour withdrawal limits are about 250 or 300 EU. If you need your limit raised, ask your bank for a temporary adjustment.
I always recommend purchasing about 200 EU before you leave home - your bank won't charge you much for the convenience.
When you land, especially after a long flight, you might not be in the mood to deal with lines at busy ATMs or ticket machines (and the machines might be "down" for servicing), taxis might not accept credit cards (though in Paris, they are supposed to), you might need something to drink (minimum purchase is normally around 10 EU), etc.
It will be a lot easier to just get to your lodging and get settled when you have cash in hand and nothing to worry about. ATMs are everywhere, so you'll have no trouble finding one in a quiet area. It's a good idea to go inside the lobby and use the machines, there.

Uber is not necessary. Uber cannot pick up passengers at the airport, and surge prices are common.
When you want to go back to the airport, you can call (operators speak English: +33 01 41 66 99) or book online with TaxisG7, a reliable company most residents use: https://www.g7.fr/en/ There will be an additional 7 EU charge added to the flat fee for airport runs.
At the airport, just follow the overhead signs to the TAXI queue and wait your turn. Remember that legitimate drivers always remain inside their taxis. It's a good idea to print your full address, Postal Code included, and hand it to the driver.
There are flat fees for airport runs to and from CDG - 55 or 50 EU, depending on whether you're going to a Left Bank or Right Bank address.

Some merchants accept credit cards for large purchases at both markets you mentioned. Most prefer cash. Make certain that you secure any cash or credit/debit cards when you go to either market.

The Marche aux Enfants Rouge is basically an indoor food court, not a flea market.

Sorry - I forgot to mention this:
Marche aux Puces is the largest flea market in Paris, only open on Sat and Sun from around 9:30AM until 6PM and will take you most of the day to see:
http://marcheauxpuces-saintouen.com/1.aspx

The Marche de Vanves is much smaller, open Sat and Sun from around 7AM to around 2 PM, and more accessible:
http://pucesdevanves.typepad.com/

Woinparis - you can't always pay with a credit/debit card.

A great many merchants have put up little signs with "10EU" or even "15 EU" minimums. I believe that it's illegal to do so, but they will insist that you pay cash.
Maybe this works with people who don't speak French, though.

I always take some of whatever currency with me, like to hit the ground running and not have to worry about finding an ATM. While I use my credit card for many purchases, I find it much easier to use cash for food, metro tickets and other fast transactions.

You mention the flea markets--I really, really enjoyed the one at Vanves, everything old and collectible, no new stuff like socks and deodorant, nice size and not horribly crowded on a Saturday morning (I was fighting a cold and decided St Ouen would be overkill, great choice as I found some really cool things at good prices) and if you're a seasoned flea market fiend you probably know that when bargaining it's just somehow rude to haggle the price down and then whip out a card, though I did see sellers with mobile pay apps. Haggle and then pay in cash seems to make everyone happy. Happy hunting!

I've ready all the articles and posts here, but I'm still confused as to why everyone keeps saying that getting cash from ATMs there is best and cheapest way to go. I'm going to France in 2 weeks; I'll be there for 12 days.

After my husband and daughter returned from a trip to Europe in August, I was bummed to see that they had both racked up major charges on our checking accounts (Chase) by repeatedly using ATMs. I called Chase to clarify the fees: they charge a flat $5 for every non-Chase ATM transaction, plus a 3% "conversion" fee. That is with ATMs that have the same logo on the back. For ATMs that don't have the same logo, you might be charged extra fees on top of that. My husband was charged an extra $29 when he got cash at a train station in Munich.

My Capital One credit card charges no extra fees at all for international use. And I just went ahead and got about $350 in cash Euros, which I intent to split up between my money belt and wallet. To me, it makes sense just to pay cash for food, and use the credit card whenever I'm at ticket machines, etc.

Is everyone so worried about being robbed or otherwise losing their money that they are willing to pay all these fees to get cash as they go?

No, most experienced travelers have found it prudent to have a no-fee (or extremely low-fee) ATM card, like your Capital One credit card. (I have a Capital One account, so I have an ATM card from them as well as a credit card. My credit union ATM card is also no-fee.) That makes getting cash from an ATM about as good a deal as using a no-fee/low-fee credit card. There are poor choices and better choices for both types of cards when it comes to international travel.

I have a no-fee mileage card that I use whenever it seems reasonable to do so. I do not try to use it to pay for a croissant at a bakery or a bottle of water at a market. And there are some food establishments (and the occasional lodging place) that do not accept credit cards, so I do use a fair amount of cash when traveling. Probably about 20-30 euros a day on average.

I'll just add that people who have cards which charge for every transaction should always withdraw the maximum amount of cash available to them in a 24hr basis. The normal 24hr limit is 250 to 300 EU, but ask your bank to raise your limit during your trip, if it's not sufficient.

And everyone should look into getting a card which does not charge hefty fees well in advance of your trip. They are becoming widely available, due to customer demand. Some US banks are partners with French banks, so it's a good idea to ask and find out if you'll be charged or not.

Just FYI - ATMs in Paris do not charge a fee for cash withdrawals.

The Marches Aux Puces is open on Sat. Sunday and Monday. See: http://marcheauxpuces-saintouen.com/1.aspx

I take 300 or so Euro when going to Europe. I get my credit union to get them for me. It costs .50 to buy them at the days spot rate. I also get 20 Euro notes or smaller. 100's are hard to cash.

Frank has it right, as always. I take about 100 euros to start so I don't have to worry about getting cash right away but my daughter never does so its personal preference. Be sure and let your credit or debit card company know where you are going & when so as not to have problems with the card. As you stated, some places do not take cards so you'll want to have some cash on you for those instances. We found this at a few restaurants we went to. Most everyone else takes cards. Enjoy your trip!

"I've ready all the articles and posts here, but I'm still confused as to why everyone keeps saying that getting cash from ATMs there is best and cheapest way to go. "

It is the best and cheapest way to go - for when you need cash. If you have a no-fee credit card and are paying fees to get cash, naturally you'll want to use the card as much as possible and minimize your use of cash. (I used to be in the opposite situation - my credit cards had fees for foreign use and my ATM cards didn't. So, naturally, I used cash whenever possible).

Even with fees, ATM's are still cheaper than other methods of getting foreign cash.

As said above, you can get a second account just for travel, if you want one with lower ATM fees. I use TD Bank; also look at credit unions, Charles Schwab, and Capitol One accounts. If you don't want to do that, definitely take out the maximum each time to minimize fees.

The only reason I can see for having an account at Chase is because you don't think Jamie Dimon ($1 billion networth, $25 million annual salary and bonus) has enough money yet.
There are so many alternatives.

......"I've ready all the articles and posts here, but I'm still confused as to why everyone keeps saying that getting cash from ATMs there is best and cheapest way to go. ".......

BECAUSE - it is absolutely the cheapest way !!! Bar none! However, the key is to use a bank owned ATM and not private ATMs.

...Even with fees, ATM's are still cheaper than other methods of getting foreign cash.....

Absolutely true -- The only other method is a currency exchange bureau that will charge fees in the range of 10 to 15% through inflated exchange rate and/or additional fees. Best to use cards that do not charge fees but even if your card charges fees you will still save money.

....My husband was charged an extra $29 when he got cash at a train station in Munich. .....

I assure you that your husband did not use a bank owned ATM as additional fees would not have been charge. Most likely he used privately owned ATM probably owned by a currency exchange bureau.

John - in reality, Marche aux Puces is only open on Monday for professionals and individuals buying in bulk and/or who have made appointments for shipping.
Some of the cafes are open, though.

RS likes to refer to your money belt as "deep storage" and advises large withdrawals using your ATM card to minimize the number of transactions, on the assumption that your bank or the bank whose machine you are withdrawing from will charge you a withdrawal or usage fee.

I've found an account and an ATM card that not only doesn't charge me for withdrawals from foreign machines (bank-owned) but also refunds any fees charged by the foreign bank as well, so I have no motivation to minimize the number of transactions, and can use the ATM itself as my "deep storage". I take out the same amounts that I take out when I'm in my hometown area and need cash. That's even better than the worry-reducing money belt.

For the past few years the credit cards that featured no foreign transaction fees tended to have annual membership fees, but now I'm finding that there are cards that don't charge foreign transaction fees and also don't have annual membership fees either. The issue is whether their points programs are useful to you or not. All in all, the (patent) friction in small financial transactions is disappearing. :-)

I know of a restaurant at Gare du Nord which states at the beginning of the menu (in French and English ) credit card accepted after 15 Euro.

.......few years the credit cards that featured no foreign transaction fees tended to have annual membership fees, ......

That is not a very accurate statement. There have been dozens of free cards that didn't charge foreign transaction fees for years. We have had a Capitol One for a decade, plus all our Chase cards and one CITI cards have never charged a currency fee. Free cards have always been available.

Using the ATM gives you the best conversion rate (hence the "cheapest"). I usually take a minimal amount of local cash with me to start the trip (just in case) but then rely on my card for purchases and periodic large cash withdrawals that I keep in my money belt until I need to restock my wallet. Don't stress over it.