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Forum Question Posted By: Replies:
Paris
Money Questions
Posted: Thu February 10, 2005 04:17 PM UTC
Going to Paris. Are ATMs available and easy to use or is it better to carry traveler checks, or what is the best way to go concerning money?
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 kacie 7 replies

[Reply]

Paris
Re: Money Questions
Posted: Thu February 10, 2005 04:23 PM UTC
ATMs are everywhere, very convenient. Unless you really want something to backup, no need to take traveler checks.

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Paris
Re: Money Questions
Posted: Thu February 10, 2005 04:35 PM UTC
ATM's are easy to find in Paris and work very well. You will need at a 4 digit numerical pin number. The average charge that I paid for an out of network ATM fee was $3.50 in December. I have never had to try more than twice to use an ATM card in Europe (France, Italy, England, Wales.) A friend of mine has a pin number for a credit card and has used that when he had trouble with his ATM card in Italy,

I sleep better if a have a day or two supply of Euros or a day or two supply of travelers checks in Euros with me when I arrive. This way I can get out of the airport and into my hotel without having to use an ATM. You can usually order Euros through your bank, my bank federal expresses them to me from their corporate offices. You will pay more for Euros that you get through your bank. I recently bought 100 euro from a friend that had just retunred from a trip to Europe (ask around.)

On my most recent trips I used credit cards more then cash (80/20.)

At all cost avoid the street side exchange shops (burea de change.) Their posted exchange rate may be good, but they will hit you with a service fee that is outrageous (16% in Florence a couple of years ago.)

Enjoy your trip.

David
oh I Know

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Paris
Re: Money Questions
Posted: Thu February 10, 2005 04:35 PM UTC
ATM's are available everywhere, plus we found that a lot of places would take credit cards.

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Paris
Re: Re: Money Questions
Posted: Thu February 10, 2005 04:55 PM UTC
Nothing to be added, except that a "hello" and "thank you" would probably be appreciated.

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 CaptainAmerica [Reply]
Paris
Re: Re: Money Questions
Posted: Fri February 11, 2005 01:24 AM UTC
Hello you all, first of all, yes, of course you need a PIN number to access the ATM machines!! And the PIN code needs to be 4 digits.

And there are many ATM's that are available. Bank of America, for example, is affiliated with BNP Paribas ans there is usually no fee for transactions. I believe someone mentioned there's a limit of free transactions before you are assessed charges. Anyhow, there are many BNP Paribas' ATM machines all over Paris.

These days travelers' checks are not popular. The merchants aren't as willing to accept them as often as in previous years.

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Paris
Re: Re: Money Questions
Posted: Fri February 11, 2005 06:29 AM UTC
I'd agree with CALSF's response. The "Global ATM Alliance" has extensive coverage with ATM machines which charge competitive exchange rates (much better than cash or traveller's cheque rates). You can withdraw your normal daily limit and you're only charged your existing withdraw fees (if any) associated with your account. There are no additional Interac or Cirrus charges.

The alliance includes:
Bank of Nova Scotia (Canada)
Bank of America (USA)
BNP Paribas (France)
Barclays (UK, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Tanzania, Zimbabwe)
Deutsche Bank (Germany, Poland, Spain and Italy)
Westpac (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Cook Island, Samoa)

I used my alliance card at BNP without problems last September.

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Paris
Re: Money Questions
Posted: Fri February 11, 2005 01:23 PM UTC
Another vote here for ATMs, which you will find in abundance all over the city with instructions in several languages. Travelers checks are almost completely a thing of the past these days. I can't even remember the last time I used them anywhere.

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