The wife and I are finally taking our honeymoon to France.

We're flying into Bordeaux and spending about a week in the Dordogne River Valley. Then driving back to Bordeaux and taking a train to Paris for a few days.

I'm not sure if it's best to wait till we get over there to exchange some cash. If I exchange it over here I'll get 800 euros for $1,000 USD. I haven't been able to find what the rates are in France for USD to Euros, only for trading the other way. Is it better to wait till we are over there to exchange cash? Or is there an option with better rates?

My wife mentioned getting an international drivers permit. Has anyone got one of those before? Looks like I can get it through AAA and it's pretty much just a translation of my current drivers license.

"To get the best currency exchange rate, swiping your credit or debit card for purchases when overseas is probably your best bet."
https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card ... d-1267.php

Yup, we will be using our credit cards for most purchases but plan on taking a couple hundred in cash for random things.

You should be able to withdraw cash from ATMs over there. Make the Bank deal with the exchange rate.

I haven't been to Europe recently, but in Asia, there are ATM's easily available (and the same last time I was in France, Germany, and UK about 2000), and you get whatever the current exchange rate is for that day.

We never bother doing any foreign exchange at a ForEx place, just go get what you need from the ATM, that way you don't get gouged by the shop for fees. You just have to do the math for bongobucks to US, but it's easy to do on your phone and there are apps that make it easier. I mistakenly pulled out a lot more Turkish Lira than I meant to because I got an order of magnitude more than I meant to (I wanted about $60 US, pulled out $600 by mistake), so do the math in your head or on your phone before you enter it into the ATM.

Keep this in your phone. It is current up to the minute.
https://www.xe.com/

Good to know.

I need to call my bank and credit card company and let them know we will be over there. They've shut down my credit card down in Canada before.

On our last couple trips to Europe, the credit card was the easy way to pay most places. Just be sure that it's a newer one with a chip. (Maybe they all are now).

My local bank will, with a little notice, exchange US$ for Euros (or whatever you need) in cash.
I like to have at least a few hundred cash of he local currency when I arrive for tips and small items plus a few meals and a hotel day, just in case there is a glitch on the credit card- it happened to me once- a long time ago..

just came back from Europe, bring lots of cash, many places do not accept credit cards anymore, the business owners are attempting to skirt the tax collector by taking cash only.

We almost ran out of cash and had to eat only at places that accepted our credit card.

As for the International Driver's license, you probably don't need it, but if you want it, it takes 10 min at AAA

Regarding the International Driver's license, basically what it comes down to is whether or not English is common enough for them to be able to read your license. If so, no need for the license, if not, the license is really only a translation of what they'd find on your US drivers license. I used to always get one before traveling, now I don't bother.

I ttravel to Europe 2-3 times a year. This is what I do - YMMV.

You've already said you knew about calling the bank and card issuer to let them know about your travel. Ask your bank what your 5 and 6 digit pins are - its usually just your PIN with 0s added to the front or back. Different banks have different requirements so you may see both during your trip (I just saw this in Portugal earlier this month - one use a 4 and another a 6). ATMs work the same, except look for the English button (usually a British flag). Also, make sure you CC has a chip. If you don't, try to get one - its a huge hassle to use a card without a chip in Europe and some places won't accept them at all. Once you have the chip - ask them if you can get a pin for it (you probably won't). The PIN will help you at some places - just to speed things up.

Someone already told you to pay with your CC as much as possible. They'll hand you the credit card machine and it may have an extra button on it - a choice to pay in dollars or Euros. ALWAYS choose Euros. The exchange rate they charge at the machine should come with lube. And, I can't stress this enough DO NOT get Euros at the CDG ATM. I haven't used for about 3 years, but the last time the exchange rate was about a 25% premium.

In most countries, the ATM will have the best exchange rate - at the bank ATM. Avoid the private ATMs at all costs. But there are exceptions to this (in Hungary for example, you're always better off to go the Currency Exchange than using the ATM), so always know the official rate. Someone posted a site. You can also use OANDA.COM which is what I use.

Know your daily cash limit on your ATM card - the limit will not change and includes the exchange. So if your limit is $300, you will not be able to get 300Euros out, but only about 250E.

For rates, that's the million dollar question. Most banks in France will charge you about 1% - so if the rate is $1.16 per 1E, you'll pay $1.17 - this will be posted in the ATM screen and you'll have to accept the rate - depends on the bank, but its generally something to the effect of "This withdrawal will result in a deduction from your account of $353" - that would be 300E at $1.16, plus the 1% plus a $2 transaction fee - that doesn't include any fees your home bank charges. Once again, this varies from bank to bank - some won't tell you anything except if there is a transaction fee, others will just say the "Exchange rate for this transaction is XXXX" and it may be reports at $1.16 or $.84. The places that rip you off generally always tell you, because you have to agree to it. Just be aware of the official rate which doesn't generally change too much from day to day and know both sides of the equation. After that its up to you whether its worth it or not and how bad you need the cash.

On the international DL, in France, its probably not a big deal. I always carry one, but have never been asked for it. But you'll want to check with the car rental company to see if they require it - I've been told that some do (haven't run into one myself). Also, make sure you have insurance as your US policy generally won't cover it - check with your CC and see what they cover (and get a print out of their terms).

Do you know if this works in reverse?
My wife's kids are coming from Wales to visit us here. Any advice on their CC's?

First, ensure you have RFID blocking wallets. Big scams now with RFID pick pockets and readers.

On $1000 cash exchange, a 1% difference is a mere $10. Not much to lose sleep over.

Just change the money now, carry it in small bills in several locations (money belt, front pocket, etc). Don't ever present much cash in public. Small amounts in small bills.

You might consider travelers checks if you can get them free/cheap.

ATMs are a poor consideration and HOLD ON - you'll be charged fees and sometimes not small fees. Maybe your bank waives them. The other concern is that I had my ATM card eaten by a street ATM in Peru on a Sunday when all banks were closed. It took HOURS of difficulty to summon someone to come and get my card. I needed the card, and didn't want to leave it either. And there's endless ATM scams, fake ATMs, readers, etc. to steal your info.

Using cards abroad is also a great way to signal to a nefarious bank employee that you are gone and to rob your unoccupied home.

I would be very cautious on using my debit card abroad.

Cash also gives you barter power. Maybe barter for lower rates. As someone else said, CC's charge the merchant fees and create tax records. Merchants like cash...

And your phone. I haven't been to Europe in awhile but they once were on a different phone network so you might need a special phone or international plan for minutes etc. Just look into it. You don't want to return to a $5000 phone bill from calls and texts abroad. I know someone that was clueless on this and literally got a $1500 phone bill on her basic phone plan from calls and texts.

Not much. From what I've heard, UK CC rules seem weird. They'll definitely want to talk to their bank and find out the fees and exchange rates charged. if they use a 6 digit pin, they'll need a 4 digit pin on the ATM.

I have a CC that does not charge a fee for international transactions and my bank waives foreign transaction fees, so I never have an issue there.


Reading LeadCounsel's post reminded me of something else I do. Take and photocopy the information sheet of your passport - I can get the entire family's (four of us) on one sheet of paper front and back. Then I take every card I carry with me and write down the information in the margin - card #, oversea's phone number and all of that. Keep it separate and safe - and if something happens, you have what you need to dial and can use the photocopies at the Embassy/Consulate to speed the replacement passport process.

Then other thing we do. Our ATM cards have different numbers - lose one, use the other. Same on CC. We carry 3. Our primary card which has the same account number and then each of us carry a second, different CC. Once again, if anything happens, we have a back up.