Euro needs and Visa useage in Paris

First off, buying Euro in the US will be more expensive than obtaining Euro via a debit card/ATM. It is not a safe assumption to assume that the VISA is always accepted. Most likely it will be but don't be surprised if they hit you with a fee to use it and, of course, the currency conversion rate when it hits your statement. If you are carrying cash, I would take 150E/day. Paris is an expensive city. I would carry a debit card as backup in the event you misjudge. And faithfully use a money belt with that much cash.

Thanks Frank Good Advice, I prefer to minimize paying fees so getting a good handle on daily cash needs vs CC is very helpful. I did find estimating cash in Italy useful as I never had to stop at an ATM but carried a debit card if needed. I will look into ATM vs US bulk purchase as I thought ATM had withdrawl fees as well. I have traveled with a money belt and neck wallet. The belt being the main "bank" including a saftey pin to my pants. In my pocket over some loose cash I place a crumpled up napkin which is there for the taking, lol. With all that I don' worry about it and have a good time.Tom

Hi Tom. Ask your bank about all international ATM fees, including an out-of-network ATM withdrawal fee and a foreign transaction fee. If your bank has high fees, you should withdraw a large amount of cash each time to avoid them as much as possible. The Capital One Visa credit card has no international fees, but there may be some on other types of Visa credit cards.

Generally speaking, it is difficult to obtain Euro in the US for less than 5% and closer to 10% is more likely. The ATMs fees change in the range of 3% plus a usage fee of maybe $5. Worse case [INVALID] you are still ahead. However, a lot of credit unions and some banks do not charge for ATM usage or conversion fees so then you are way ahead to have used an ATM. However, there no fees in Europe to use an ATM and ALL FEES are determine by the card issuer in the US. So shop around. Fees vary greatly in the US.

You are more likely to find better rates with ATM cards from a credit union. I have two from different credit unions - one charges nothing for foreign withdrawals, one charges 1%, with no per-transaction fee.

Also keep in mind a number of places (hotels, etc.) give discounts for paying in cash, at least in Italy. With a credit union card, we withdrew about 300 euros each day the first few days we were in Italy, and paid a 1% fee, which was the Visa fee. Neither the credit union, nor the ATM charged any fees. Once we had enough to cover our hotel bills and upfront expenses such as transportation passes, we did a couple more withdrawals over the course of the trip to cover food, shopping, etc. We used a capital one Visa credit card (no fees) only for a few larger purchases and buying train tickets.

Tom, I can almost guarantee it will cost LESS to use your ATM in Europe, whatever kind it is. And as already mentioned, credit unions are often better...

Many Thanks to all. Based on your comments I was had all my questions ready when I called my CC company and ATM debit/ credit card bank and checked a Chase about US / Euro purchase. Chase was about 3.5% adder for Euro's. CC company does not charge a conversion fee, so thats good. ATM will cover all bank fees and charge 1% conversion so thats very good, particulary if a Paris vendor is adding its own fee to its bill when using a cc. So now it all about the US/ Euro rate which is now low, lock in now with a Euro purchase or hope it stays low through September, lol. I am leaning toward carrying less cash and using the ATM as we will be in Paris the entire time. Last year in Italy we were on the move and it was convient to have to just have cash and for small hotels as well. Again Thanks to All.

if you have time to open an account with charles schwab bank, do so. you can withdraw from any ATM anywhere in the world (at least i have used it in europe, asia and n.america), and there is no withdrawal fee. they reimburse whatever fees are charged.

If you are traveling with a spouse, be sure you both bring cards for your (same) checking accounts - I spoke to the credit union about our being out of the country...my ATM card worked, my husband's didn't.....It's a good thing he brought me ;-)

It's good to have a back up plan or more than one kind of card or account. One year our bank had to cancel hundreds of cards due to a security breach while we were in France. The debit we were carrying became invalid shortly after we were notified. One of our kids had to intercept the new cards, validate them and send them over to us; luckily we had second accounts, as well as credit cards. Scout motto is be prepared.

As mentioned earlier some establishments will add a 2-4% surcharge if you are paying with Visa/Mastercard. I have found this to be true only in London; nowhere in Germany or northern and eastern France has it been my experience when it comes to paying with Visa do they tack on this surcharge. In Paris at museums you pay cash or with Visa at the ticket counter...no problems, the same applies to Germany. But the Visa is accepted in way more establishments in France than in Germany.