Getting money out in France...?

Question

I'm going on holiday to Paris and have been told by my bank that I can use my debit card to withdraw money from ATMs there, as I'm keen not to be travelling with large amounts of cash on me. Are they as plentiful as they are in the UK? And I'm guessing that if I take money out it'll be in Sterling currency, so I'd have to find somewhere to change it to Euros whenever I needed money...? Any more info or advice for a newbie traveller would be great.

Answer 1

ATM's are pretty much the same sort of quantity as in the UK.  Plentiful in the towns and cities, hardly any in the country.

On the motorways, there are big service areas which contain them as well but they aren't in individual small petrol stations like over here.

I've never been charged for taking money out abroad but do be aware that they will not give you the same exchange rate as a bureau de change or the actual exchange rate so you may take out more than you realised you had once you get back and check your statement.  If you have online banking and can find an internet cafe, you could always pop into one of them and see how much you still have in your account.

Answer 2

You have ATM on nearly every corner in Paris. They accept all credit cards (visa, amex, Eurocard, Mastercard...), you will receive Euros. You will be charged by your bank for the transaction so check with them how much you will pay for each use of the ATM (it can be a fixed rate PLUS a percentage of the total amount). I go to London quite often and prefer to draw one big amount rather than plenty of small ones as those charges pile up very quickly.

Answer 3

There`s thousands of banks with cash machines in Paris and you can exchange in any bank,

Answer 4

When you withdraw money in France from a French ATM it will be in Euro.  

And yes, banks are plentiful so don't worry about it.

Answer 5

There are loads of cash machines so no worries there.

The money you withdraw will be in Euro's so no need to worry there either.

Enjoy!

Be extra vigilant crossing the roads!

Answer 6

The question has been prety well answered by everyone here : debit cards, no problemo.

But one point for American.  ATMs that stock multiple currencies do exist. I have seen some,  but not in France, in Turkey. You have a choice of, AFAIR,  Euros, or Turkish Pounds. It's true, I' ve seen them!

Answer 7

Your bank would say that as they also take a charge every time you withdraw money.If I was you I would change money before I leave.

Answer 8

ATM's are plentiful in Paris, most debit cards work there but no harm in giving your local bank a call to inform them that you are heading to France so to expect transactions on it. Sometimes banks will put a "hold" on cards if they suspect suspicious activity.

  

Answer 9

You will recieve the money in EUROS not GBP. Think about it a little, they can't stock the machines with multiple types of currency.

The banking network will forward details of the money you took out and they will deduct the amount from your account in Pounds subject to that days exchange rates.

It is cheaper to do this than to exchange money in france. I do this when I go to the USA and it really is cheaper to take the money out the ATM.

Have fun on your travels.