Tips to Lower Your Expenses on a France Holiday

There are few essential things that you need to follow strictly to make your French holiday comfortable and less expensive.

Money Matters the Most:

Since the Euro came into circulation a decade ago, many of the European countries including Spain, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece etc. have been using Euro as a common currency, thus making things easier for the travellers going on a continental break to those countries. Many cross Channel ferries between the UK and France offer money exchange facilities onboard or at the port premises.

Credit/Debit cards or Travellers Checks: which is the Better option?

Debit and credit cards are the most commonly used payment options for a France holiday break and most shops in France accept them in exchange of goods and services.

Usually, the easiest way to make payment is by withdrawing cash from an ATM that you’ll find outside every bank and post office. Instructions in both English and French are available in these ATMs.

Using the debit card will charge you a little less than the credit cards, so it’s better not to rely on the credit card only for your cash needs but use both the cards simultaneously.

It’s very much essential that you remember your PIN number correctly! This is the most convenient, safest as well as cheaper payment option than cashing travellers’ checks.

Before you leave for the vacation trip, it’s very important that you give proper instructions to your bank as well as your credit card company so that the foreign transactions get clearance from the banks without any objection also try to find out the rate of overseas charges applicable on them.

Generally, each transaction costs a 1-3% withdrawal fee, hence it’s better not to withdraw large amounts too frequently and keep the fund in a safe vault or carry it in a small and locked money belt under your clothing.

Take the help of online banking to keep a track on the current exchange rates as well as the fees charged by the banks for the transactions. It’s always advisable to carry multiple bank cards of different banks so that if a credit card denies payment for a transaction, it will be accepted by another bank. Try to get the additional credit card at low or no overseas fees that you can use just for making transactions abroad.

Take the help of foreign currency exchange and keep some money in local currency with you. People travelling with the Dover ferries often take advantage of money changing facility at the port but the local distributor will provide you the best rates. Using Your Mobile in France: