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Debit Card vs. Credit Car for tolls on French Autoroutes

Does anyone know if you can use your debit card to pay the tolls on the French Autoroutes? Can you use the lane that skips the manned toll booths by using your debit card, or should I just plan on using my credit card? When we drove in France several years ago, I remember using our credit card but not a debit card. Thank you.

Posted by
3313 posts

You can try to use either, but expect a crap shoot. European cards have chips that are required in some, but not all, readers. I had good luck in France, but I always had cash in case the toll gates rejected my card. My card always worked in the rest stops, though.

Posted by
117 posts

I used my US credit card for the tolls last year. I did not try my debit card. But you don't need the French card with the microchip at the Autoroute toll booth.

Posted by
5 posts

I just pay cash and avoid all those fees each time you use your card. You may have to wait a bit longer but it all goes pretty quick. I take out alot of money at one time and stash it safely away on various and sundry parts of my or my spouses body and have never had a problem. Of course I never access my "stashes" outside of the privacy of my hotel room.