TRAVEL TO FRANCE–BRING EUROS OR TRAVELERS CHECKS OR NEITHER?
Posted on 09. Mar, 2010 by admin in Europe travel
Most things module be purchased with a assign card, but for items where assign game are not accepted, should she intend Euros in the United States (where we live)? How such would you declare for a 9-day activate to town and Nice? It’s a school-based trip, so no digit is intake likewise fancy.
From what I understand, travelers checks aren’t worshipped in Europe, but should she intend them anyhow?
asdad
Heinz M
09. Mar, 2010
Euros! Many places will not take American credit cards. Europe has its own now…
9 days figure at least 450 Euro
matante8
09. Mar, 2010
I would bring about $100 worth of Euros for immediate expenses upon arrival and travellers’ cheques for the rest of the trip. Credit cards are useful and debit cards, too, but with travellers’ cheques, you have already spent the money so have no problem with exchange rates, etc.
U_S_S_Enterprise
09. Mar, 2010
Travelers cheques are indeed rare in Europe.
You can bring a credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Amex are accepted in many places).
If you have one of these, you can use that credit card to get cash.
Depending on your spending habit, reckon between 400 and 500 euro.
Jacqueline A
09. Mar, 2010
Keep it to a minimum as in Europe it’s better to withdraw from an ATM machine as you go. You won’t get charged crazy rates and it’s safer. I would think you will need at least $1000, Europe is not cheap as everyone knows, I’m from Ireland and travel a lot. It’s really difficult not to shop while on vacation. Good luck!!!
Barry
09. Mar, 2010
Your question doesn’t indicate if she will have to pay for anything except food and drink. If not, about US 75.00 per day should be enough. I know that sounds like a lot, but the USD has taken a pounding lately compared with the Euro. Also, Paris is expensive for everything (haven’t been to Nice).
Give her 100 Euros and US$100 in cash before she leaves home. Get an American Express travelers cheque card for the rest of the funds – ATMs are everywhere. The cards are reloadable by calling a toll-free number so you can add more funds from home if necessary: http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif/cda/page/0,1641,22395,00.asp
She does need to pay attention to the fee charged by the ATM – sometimes outrageous. Encourage her to use machines operated by real banks and not just get money from the one in the hotel lobby.
Traditional paper travelers cheques can be a real pain. If you decide to get them instead of a card, get cheques in Euros – not USD.
Heinz H
09. Mar, 2010
1. For cash:
Bring your credit card(s), the first thing you find at the airport, at the hotel, the bank on the corner, .. is an ATM.
(Show them your credit card, ask for the ‘distributeur automatique’)
Buyer beware, total fees a few percentage points, but MUCH, much cheaper than the exchange penalties at a US Airport. In fact do not ever buy Euros in the US.
2. Use of credit cards:
They ARE accepted everywhere! The French love “les cards bancaires”. Even public parking garages will take your credit card. (I always love to find the $4.25 charge on my monthly statement, for say 1 hour of parking in the center of Paris.)
3. only mental minions, ignorants carry traveler checks.
Dead give-away, you might as well carry a sign “inexperienced tourist”. The French hate them, will charge you extra. Will possibly make you wait in an extra line as punishment for the insolence of presenting one. Traveler Checks are strictly for gift shops, hotel lobbies and any other place that adds 100% to the price, because they know an American sucker when they see one.
4. Contrary to what you have heard, the French really do like us Americans. However, DO NOT, EVER mention G.W. Bush. Bad, bad idea.
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Telephone calling card.
A good idea to have the AT&T telephone access number written down, for “that emergency call”. They connect you to an operator in America. Maybe a few dollars extra. But sure nice to speak to a friendly and helpful American lady
Here is the number: 0-800-99-0011. They will take MC/ Visa, they will reverse the charge, it is like the 80-ties all over again