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| *Travel Tips>>>General - Travel (General) Travel Tips |
Travel to France--bring Euros or travelers checks or neither? |
Travel Info Most things will be purchased with a credit card, but for items where credit cards are not accepted, should she get Euros in the United States (where we live)? How much would you suggest for a 9-day trip to Paris and Nice? It's a school-based trip, so no one is eating too fancy. From what I understand, travelers checks aren't adored in Europe, but should she get them anyhow? Travel Tips 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. ---------- 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 Source(s): travel there often Other Travel Tips Euros! Many places will not take American credit cards. Europe has its own now... 9 days figure at least 450 Euro 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. 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. 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!!! Personal experience!! |
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