im going to france next summer and i need to start saving up money now so i can go but how many AMERICAN dollars should i bring???cuz i will have to do the currency change at the airport right???im so lost can some1 please tell me the process i will have to go through and how much i should bring and wat the difference is between the 2 please???
lodacho
Favorite Answer
The Euro. The exchange rate is always changing so you'll have to see. Its cheaper to exchange your money before you go to the airport. The airports exchange rate is higher because they know people have no other place to get there money now that they are there. Banks offer a lower exchange rate and it usually only takes a night or two for the money to get from wherever there housing the Euros. Hope I helped!
Anonymous
EURO. . . Francs are OUT
Never change $$ at the airport, only enough to get a taxi, train, bus or. . .into town. Airport exchanges run about 15 to 20% higher than regular city or bank exchanges.
How many dollars you should take depends on where you are going and what are your interests. For France I would have about $1000 per week if you are a budget traveler, that does not include your plane fare there and back.
BTW while in France try to speak as little English as possible, they still hate English since Nepoleon and Nelson's battles. I speak Spanish to them and tell them I am from Argentina. Nice country though!
Rillifane
France uses the Euro as do many other countries in the European Union.
The relative values of the dollar and the Euro fluctuate but right now 1 euro is worth $1.35
When in France you can:
1. Change dollars for euros at a "Bureau de change" (There are lots of them
2. Use your ATM card to get euros
3. Use your credits cards to pay for things. (Your credit card company will do the exchange and your bill will be in dollars when you get home)
Before you leave for France go to your bank at home and change enough dollars to euros to cover your first days expenses. $100 should be enough. that way you can get rested and get over being jet lagged before you have to worry about this. Not everyone at your home bank may know how to do this but there will almost certainly be at least one person who does. Do this a few weeks before you leave because your bank may not have any foreign currency laying around and have to ask their headquarters to get it for them.
ferrickhead28
Don't bring cash!!!!
Bring an ATM card and just withdraw money from the ATMs located in the city. There are sooo many currency exchange windows all over Paris, but they charged ALOT in fees! I exchanged a $20 american bill and got 12 euros back. Totally not worth it.
You can also get an American Express Cheque card thats NOT linked to your bank account. You can call AMEx at anytime to add funds. Plus, if its lost or stolen, they will have it replaced for you ASAP.
http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif/cda/page/0,1641,18622,00.asp