The Dollar vs the Euro

Dont need to change anything really. just take a visa or mastercard and you will avoid all the extra charges the banks or money exchange places charge you..

I am an American who lives/moved back and forth between the UK and here.
I always use Marks and Spencers Department store.
http://www6.marksandspencer.com/default.asp (maybe you can get details here!?)
It is either free to exchange money or very cheap at M&S.
They are all over the UK and France.
Best of luck!!

--M. (____@____.com)

p.s -Watch out for hidden debit/ATM charges they can be expensive abroad.

Yes it is cheaper. We went to Rome over New Years and it was very expensive. Have a gerat time!!!!

Hello M., having travelled to europe as a family, my husband suggests that you purchase items on credit cards since they will give you the fairest exchange rate. Amex charges 2 percent on top and Visa is 3 percent. So use Amex before anything else. Changing a small amount of your money here in the states would give you the better rate.

Hope this helps.

Hi - my sister lives abroad. She advises us to exchange in France by going to the ATM. Carry cash and no traveler's cheques (hard to cash). Beware of fees your credit cards may charge when using abroad. Have fun!

I'll echo what everyone else said. Credit cards do give you the best rate (but you'll need some cash since smaller stores & vendors may not accept credit cards). My uncle has been all over the world and has told us (and we've seen for ourselves) that MasterCard is not widely accepted. Visa is much more widely accepted, so, just a thought to keep in mind when getting things together.

Have fun!!

I went to Italy 3 years ago and England, Scotland, Ireland 2 years ago. It all depended on the day. The rates changed daily. Overall, it was so much easier to use a credit card and ATM machines. converting cash was a pain, and using money orders were a pain. the ATM spit out euros and the fee was about the same as US. I will never travel any other way. Everybody took my Visa.

I have the same question! I had to post a response to be able to read the others . . .

I would do it here. It is a shock if you do it in France. I lived in Germany for 4 years and it broke my heart every time I spent Euros because I know our dollar is low. When I was there it was 1 euro =.75 dollars.....pretty bad

I currently live in London. It is usually best to use an ATM in the foreign country to get most of your cash for the best exchange rate. Also you can make withdrawals as you need them to get the amount that you really need, making exchange of your excess cash back to the dollar minimal. (Note, most exchange bureaus will not exchange back small coins, so use them up.) Make sure your card is enabled for use abroad. Take some Euros with you to tide you over until you find an ATM. The change bureaus in the airport and train station, etc. give the worst rates. The post offices and banks often give the best on exchange of cash/travellers' cheques. Hope this helps.

Don't stress about this issue. Get some Euro's at the local ATM at the airport before you leave the terminal. There are ATM's everywhere in France so just use them. This way you will also get the best exchange reate. The only caveat is to research your bank's ATM fee's. They should be the same here as abroad, but I would suggest checking.

If you were going to some remote place I would not give you this advice but France is an easy place to travel and get $$.

Have fun!

I don't know about France, but when I went to Japan, I exchanged here on the way there, and there on the way here. That way I had the right kind of money when I landed. I also think switching here for on the way there you get more and vice versa.

Good luck!

You also need to check with your credit card provider and find out what the fee is for foreign transactions - nearly all charge some kind of fee. It might be a flat rate per transaction or it could be a % (like 3% or 4%) of the transaction. The use the card you have with the lowest rate. My Citi mastercard charged something like 3% when checked before I traveled to France last year. I also carry a CapitalOne visa, and they DON"T charge a foreign transaction fee. If you don't have a Capital One credit card, it might be worth getting one for your trip since they don't charge a fee.
One last thing -- be sure to call your credit card company and let them know the dates that you will be traveling in France and that you will be using your credit card. They'll put a note on your account. That way, they won't flag your card as potential fraud & shut it off. If they see a lot of transactions coming from France, they may think your card was stolen.
Have FUN!

If you have an ATM card, you can use it in France if your bank is affiliated with an international group like Cirrus, etc. That way you don't have to carry as much cash and the exchange rate is better than converting dollars to euros. My husband and I have done this all over the world.

Roz
M. of two, grandmother of four.

My suggestions is to exchage a little here so you have some euros when you land and then exchange the rest over there. Also remember that you can't exchange coins, so spend as many of the coins as you can before you leave. Shop around for the best deal when you are there. Also check with your bank and credit cards to see what fees, if any, they charge if you use a credit/debit card abroad-the best exchange rates happen with credit cards (if they fees aren't to hefty). However, keep in mind that some establishments can't accept your credit cards if they don't have a 'pouce', which is like an embedded chip in your card, that are in cards issued in France (and probably the rest of Europe). We ran into that issue a few times in France recently.
Have a great trip!

I travel a lot to Europe on business and the dollar is really miserable against the Euro. I take minimal cash ($200) and charge the rest. Depending on where you're going, most cabs take credit cards, etc. You can charge as you go and the exchange will be the one of the day. However, I think the EURO will continue to get stronger so if you get some now, you may be saving in the long run (if you are going a few months from now). Hopefully others will give you other feedback so you can consider all options.
Have fun!!

you should check with your bank, but chances are, you will get a better rate in Europe. You might try a couple of different places before you actually convert. Also, you will get a better conversion rate for big bills. Think $100 bills.

definitely exchange here!! It is so expensive over there.

We were just in Germany and the best way to do it is to use your credit card when possible (they keep current with the exchange rates daily vs. weekly at some of the exchange centers) and pull from an ATM there in Germany. Make sure you clear with your bank that the card will work there. Also, if you don't travel a lot you may want to alert your credit card company that you are traveling so they will not shut the card down when they see charges show up overseas. Another good thing to carry is a phone card incase you end up needing to call back to the states.
Have a great time!

The very cheapest way to exchange money is with a debit/ATM card at an ATM machine there in France. This way you'll get the true exchange rate rather than having to pay a considerable percent more for the exchanger's fee. You may have a foreign ATM fee, but it won't be more than a dollar (or euro) or two (in my experience), which is significantly better than getting a bad exchange rate. Also, when you get money, get the maximum amount allowed so your foreign ATM fee is spread out over the most money. Sometimes we will do three transactions in a row until the machine finally says that's the most we can do for a day (I think it's our bank who makes that rule). Exchangers will advertise that they have the "true" exchange rate. They're lying! Resist the urge to change money at the airport (unless absolutely necessary - and then only the smallest amount that you will need before you find an ATM machine); they're in business for a reason! I lived overseas for a year, and this is how we got all our money. Just be sure to split up your money and hide it on yourself well, as you'll be carrying a considerable amount. And don't use a credit card. Their foreign currency rates are ridiculous. Above all, have a WONDERFUL trip!

I will try this again for the third time, buy some Euros here and get the bulk in France. Today's rate is $1.49 to the Euro's $1. This means you will have to plan for twice the amount you thought about taking or spending and then add another $200 to $300 for emergencies. The best thing for you to do would be to start checking the daily rate about two weeks before you go. This will guide in knowing how much to convert before you go. Also have a plan in mind as to how much you think you will need daily so that you will use up what you have before you return home. Do not use your credit cards if possible because of the rates and fees that they will charge. When I lived in Germany we would check the exchange rate daily so that we knew whether to go to the bank today or wait until tomorrow.

Where will you be traveling in France?

Have a good trip and enjoy the experience. Oh, another thing, the French are rude to each other not just to Americans.

Spent 17 days in Spain last spring. Don't do anything till you get there. Take your credit card, make sure is set up to work in Europe, and only take out on a daily basis what you think you need that day. You will be using the current rate for that day. Many restaurants and merchants will gladly except your credit card. Don't go travelers checks unless you just have to or only take enough for an emergency, such as loss of credit card. Be sure and take the contact numbers for your credit card company. Copy passport id page and put in your luggage. Have a great time!

We were just recently in Germany, it is best to use the credit card, and if you need Euro's on hand get it from the ATM.

When we went to Europe we actually found that it was cheapest to put as much on our credite card as possible as the conversion rate seemed to be better through the credit card company. Not sure why that was. Also, no fee for the conversion. HAVE FUN!!! I'm JEALOUS!!

M.,

I know when I travel home to Ireland I just use my Master card debit card connected to my normal checking account here in their ATM machines and get a better exchange rate (bank charge) than if I was to exchange at foreign exchange booths in the airport for example. As long as your Debit card has a cirrus or maestro logo on the back you should be able to use it like a debit card in any ATM machine in Europe. I just make sure I don't make multiple withdrawals as a charge will be applied to each transaction.

From our experiences traveling to Europe, the best exchange rate was usually the one that the credit cards give you. I think I've also read that advice somewhere. We found that nearly every place took plastic, so we didn't carry very much currency. Have fun!

Right now, AAA in Texas (Dallas area) is selling books of 100 Euros at the same price they paid for them back in the summer. Since that is considerably less than what they are going for currently, you might want to enquire (I believe it requires membership in AAA).

It is almost always cheaper to exchange to the local currency. So wait to change the bulk of your money when you get to europe. Often, credit cards give you the best rate, anyway, and you don't have to worry about exchanging money to use those. You can also use your credit card to get cash at ATMs - watch the per-transaction fees.

BUT - make sure you change enough for a cab fare or and/or a meal (I would probably change about $100) before you leave the U.S. (you can do it at the airport). If you arrive at your destination when the airport currency exchange is closed (which can happen either due to your flight schedule or due to delayed flights or weather or somebody going on strike or...) you can be stranded if you don't have some of the local currency. You will probably also want to buy a local phone card the first chance you get, since most pay phones in europe require local phone cards and it can be very disconcerting (to say the least) to be unable to make a phone call. If you're planning to have your cell phone switched over to be usable in europe, that will serve for emergencies, but you can usually find a local phone card that is cheaper.

Just my $.02.

B.

Generally, depending upon your bank fees, you get the best rate by using your ATM card to withdraw money in the local currency once you arrive. Do check with your bank before you go, though--some cards aren't compatible, or you may need to change your pin, or your bank might have crazy fees.... When you go to the ATM, take out as much at once as you are comfortable carrying (perhaps in an under-your-clothes waist or neck bag), since you'll likely have "per transaction" fees, so the fewer times you go to the ATM, the better your effective rate will be. There's almost always an ATM right at the airport when you land, so you can grab some cash right away. If this makes you uncomfortable, change a little before you go, but American banks usually give you poor rates, and the places at the airport are a terrible racket.

And finally, to echo the previous poster, do NOT assume that your credit card will be accepted everywhere in France. It will be accepted lots of places (your hotel, etc,) but you can't assume that EVERYONE will be able to accept it (to buy a sandwich, etc) like you would if you were here.

Have fun, and enjoy your trip!

As a traveler, I can tell you that you ALWAYS get the best current (at that moment) rate by using your CREDIT CARD. They offer the best exchange rate, and as a bonus, you don't have to worry about exchanging money and most places take major credit cards just fine in Europe!

That said, the next best option is to exchange OVER THERE at a BANK. American money is more wanted over there than foriegn money here so over there they offer better rates. Banks typically offer better rates than public, touristy places (airports, train stations, etc), but not always, just most of the time as a rule!

Exchanging here is typically never the best option UNLESS (and this is very possible with an election year going on) you believe that the American Dollar value will fall within the next couple of weeks/monthes and the Euro will hold or rise. If you believe this and believe it to be significant (at least enough to cover the not-as-good exchange rate), you may want to exchange your money now while the dollar is holding and if you think it will fall and the euro holds or rises. Remember though, at this case, of course, you would have to exchange here and pay a higher exchange rate!

It is kind of confussing, but look at it like you would the stock market: If you think our/USA "stock"/money (that you already own)will go up or hold it's value, wait to "buy" foriegn "stock". BUT if you think our "stock" (that you already own), will fall and the loss will out-weigh the benefit of a better exchange rate in Europe, then "buy" now over here!

Hope that makes since!

Best of luck and have fun on vacation!

By the way, if you are staying in a hotel, most often they will exchange money for you 24 hrs a day at a comparable exchange rate to banks or ATMs and the convenience is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO worth it (usually at the first desk per request). Plus, if you would have any problem, they would be more than willing to help since they are getting your money in other ways as well!

T.

My daughter, then 12, went to Italy in 2006...we got her some Euros here before she went and then she used a credit/debit card from Washington Mutual. I have sense found out that most charge fees but mine did not charge anything as long as she used it as credit. She needed enough for snacks etc and the rest went on the card. She was on a choir tour. HTH and have a wonderful time.....I have friends currently living outside of London who plan to go to Paris in April......

you usually (nearly always) will get the best exchange in the country who holds the currency - so wait 'til you get to Europe to exchange your dollars.
though you could get some Euros in the states if you'll be landing on a Sunday or other holiday where the banks are closed.
Safe travels!