Do I need cash or card in Paris?

You need a payment card with a chip to pay and withdraw money in France. We even advise to have 2 payment cards with chips, just in case one doesn't work occasionally. Visa and MasterCard are accepted in all places where you can pay by credit cards. American Express is not as common as in the US.



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Key Takeaways. European travelers should always have some cash on hand; getting it from an ATM abroad is usually the easiest, most advantageous way. If you need cash from an ATM, it's usually better to use a debit card, because credit cards often charge a high interest rate for a cash advance.

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European travelers should always have some cash on hand; getting it from an ATM abroad is usually the easiest, most advantageous way. If you need cash from an ATM, it's usually better to use a debit card, because credit cards often charge a high interest rate for a cash advance.

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The average price of a 7-day trip to Paris is $1,450 for a solo traveler, $2,604 for a couple, and $4,882 for a family of 4. Paris hotels range from $68 to $422 per night with an average of $120, while most vacation rentals will cost $210 to $490 per night for the entire home.

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If you want the best of the best, aim for $300-520 per day (assuming you eat at Michelin restaurants a lot). For 2 people for a 5-day trip to Paris expect to pay about $250 per person or $500 for two. For those doing a low-cost Paris trip, aim for $140 per person or $280 per couple during that time.

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Buy currency before you travel.
Doing so gives you time to shop around for the best rate. Plus, when you arrive, you won't have to immediately find a bank or currency exchange. Do some research ahead of time to see if US dollars are widely accepted at places you plan to go to.

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Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip. Some tourists feel like they just have to have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.

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Paying with cash in France You can use your card in France for most things, but if you want to shop at the street markets, you'll need cash — ATMs are typically onsite. Places like Porte de Clignancourt and Les Puces de Montreuil in Paris have some amazing deals for things you never thought you'd find.

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Obviously you're going to need euros for your trip to France. You can get euros at your bank in the States, but in some cases you have to ask for them ahead of time so the bank can order them for you. I should mention this isn't absolutely necessary; you can get euros fairly easily right away when you arrive in France.

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How to Avoid ATM Fees When Traveling Abroad
  1. Use an ATM in Your Bank's International Network. ...
  2. Use Your Debit Card to Get Cash Back at a Store. ...
  3. Don't Use the ATM's Conversion Offer. ...
  4. Use a Bank That Doesn't Charge International ATM Fees. ...
  5. Use a Bank That Refunds ATM Fees. ...
  6. Use a Credit Card Without a Foreign Transaction Fee.


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Do hotels in France accept cash? Cash is accepted everywhere. However, it is better to pay in Euros, as few institutions accept a different currency. If you haven't exchanged your currency before leaving, it is possible to do so at a bank, but it is easier to go to a bureau de change.

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Taxis in Paris generally do not take credit cards, so be prepared to pay in cash. If you do want to try to pay with a credit card from the airport, always ask the cab driver if they accept cartes bancaires before you jump in.

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Yes, tap water in Paris is perfectly safe to drink and is readily available wherever you go, even at public water fountains. As long as taps aren't labeled eau non potable—meaning “not for drinking” in French—everything else is potable. In fact, drinking water from the fountains of Paris has been encouraged.

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