How should we spend our money in Paris?

Question

Hi, what is the best way to carry cash/spend money in the city? Credit card, cash with a debit card, carry cash over, carry traveler's checks? When we traveled to Rome a few years ago, our credit card number was stolen and random charges from Belgium appeared, so we are a little gun shy this time around.

Does anyone have suggestions on the best ane easiest method to pay for all random items, food, etc. while we are there?

thank you!

Answer 1

My first stop is always for Travelers checks at American Express by the Garnier Opera (where writer Thomas Wolfe used to pick up his mail in the thirties), and that's when I know I'm really in Paris again. I keep my checks and cash in a broad money belt around my waist that zips at the top. (It's just a quick lift up of the shirt and unzip for my dough.)

Have a ball!

Answer 2

I would suggest a debit card will be useful there. Because debit cards are more safer to use compared to a credit card if the debit card have an amount let say $500 you can only spend up to that amount. However if you will be using you credit card there and got stolen and they use you card for there transaction you might end up paying lot of bills.

Answer 3

Cash is best because then you'll get change in euros and have cool coins for collection.

Answer 4

To avoid fees, I used my bank card to withdraw cash from the ATM.  I discovered that my bank, Bank of America, has a Global ATM Network and in Paris, BNP Paribas is a member.  So I was able to withdraw cash from any BNP ATM (tons of these all over Paris) and paid for everything in cash (euros) and it cost me no fees and I got the best daily exchange rate automatically.  Remember, credit cards charge you anywhere from 1% to 3% or more for using a card overseas.  One other important thing, your PIN has to be 4 digits and cannot start with a zero to work in French ATM's.  Hope that helps.

Answer 5

Credit card/identify theft can happen anywhere and we all need to be careful no matter where we are.

I carry a Capital One Visa and an American Express.While traveling abroad I inform my card companies where I will be and when. I am under the impression that all credit card companies welcome this sort of information to protect you (and them)  from fraud.

I use credit cards for only a few larger expenses (like my hotel bill). For other things I pay in local currency. I carry cash in the form of dollar denominated American Express Travellers checks. TC's are, these days, useless for actually buying anything since just about no one accepts them.

However, as a way to safely carry moderate sums of cash they remain useful. My bank sells them to me without charge or commision and, since I have an AMEX credit card, the local American Express Office will cash them and convert them to local currency without additional fees.

Every 5 or 6 days I cash out some of my travellers checks  in an amount sufficient to pay for my ordinary daily purchases. I use my credit card (always the Capitol One Visa), as I said, only for   larger expenses or in places that I have been patronizing for years and where I know the people working there.

Answer 6

I agree with the people who say that a debit card is the best way to go.  Take your debit card to an ATM machine and get however much cash you need for a few days.  ATM machines are all over the city and are pretty easily recognizable.

When taking cash on the metro, you may want to put it in a money belt underneath your clothes.  Or else watch out for pick pocketers.

Answer 7

We used our debit cards in Paris, took cash out at the local ATMs a few times and didn't use them otherwise.  A lot of places seemed to be cash-only or if credit or debit cards were accepted, the shops or restaurants seemed hassled by it.  Travelers checks aren't a bad way to go, either, since you can swap them for cash when you get there.