We just returned from Paris and found that we could NOT use our Visa or Mastercard in the automated ticket machines found in the Metro stations. You have to have a pin/chip card. Only a few stations have actual manned offices that sell tickets. Also, the automated machines will NOT take large Euro bills like 50's or 100's. Good Luck.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Yes it is a problem for Americans,, most Canadians now have chip and pin cards.. and I think one or two banks in States do,not too sure. but certainly have heard that chip and pin cards are needed for machines.
I never carry 100 or 50 euros if I can help it, I break them as soon as I can.. don't like walking about with those big bills and leave them in hotel safe but like to have a few 20s on me for sure. It ATM gives me a big bill I use it for dinner so its broken soon as possilbe.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
All true. We always had some 20E and smaller bills with us. Plus, we also purchased the 10-ticket Carnet which made it easier.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
You are SOOOO right about this. We entered the Cluny Metro station to buy several carnets of tickets for our group. There were about 4 rail employees standing around helping customers to use the self service machines, but the actual ticket counter was closed. My credit card was not accepted in the machines and the ticket workers told us only "COINS" are accepted by the machines. We had to exit and walk to a different metro station that actually WAS manned and open selling tickets. Wow - this could have been a potentially killer of a problem. We stocked up on carnets for the entire trip.
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
I got a chip and PIN (Andrews FCU) before leaving for France this spring because of past issues with machines in train stations and gas stations, and having read that unmanned Metro stations are getting more common. I used the card at the Paris Metro stations a couple of times, as well as gas stations (most of which were unmanned).
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3050 posts
Another reason why carrying plenty of cash (including coins - hang on to them when you get them for WCs and machines!) is a good idea in much of Europe.