Is it better to use credit or debit card in France?

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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Credit cards are accepted in shops across France, and of course in Paris. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted. American Express is not nearly as widely accepted as the first two. Travelers' Cheques have gone the way of the Dodo Bird.

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For anyone visiting France, the easiest way to pay for thigs is to use a credit card backed by one of the worldwide credit-card companies, notably Visa or Mastercard.

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Paris is not as expensive as Tokyo or Oslo, but even an average hotel can cost $200 or more -- in many cases, much, much more. It's always advisable to bring money in a variety of forms on a vacation: a mix of cash, credit cards, and traveler's checks.

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Most French ATM machines offer instructions in multiple languages including English, and they're easy to use. There's no need to worry about which bank gives the best conversion rate. French banks, by agreement, do not add any withdrawal fees or charges on ATM withdrawals, regardless of the ATM card you use.

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Generally, debit card transactions are cheaper and credit cards incur heavy fees while abroad. So, keeping your debit card in France is a better option. Yet, the taxes and withdrawal fees may vary from bank to bank.

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Paying with a credit card makes it easier to avoid losses from fraud. When your debit card is used by a thief, the money is missing from your account instantly. Legitimate expenses for which you've scheduled online payments or mailed checks may bounce, triggering insufficient funds fees and affecting your credit.

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Exchange cash before leaving the United States You can avoid all transaction fees by paying for your purchases in cash while you're abroad. Banks and currency exchange stores will exchange U.S. dollars for most major currencies, and you can do this before you leave.

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Restaurants. Tipping is not considered etiquette by French people in French restaurants, but if you enjoyed your meal, it's nice to leave 5 - 10%. If you really enjoyed the meal, or plan on returning to the restaurant and want the wait staff to like you, 15% is a generous tip.

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