Is it better to use traveler's checks or a debit card in Paris?

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They are both inconvenient.

If your debit card is a Visa or Mastercard labeled card I suggest you try to use it as a credit card.

With each and every ATM transaction you will be hit with a banking fee from the French bank, and at your US bank.

With traveler's cheques/checks you will be immediately identified as a traveler, and you still had to pay a certain fee. Not a good thing in a seedy neighborhood.

I have had no problems using my ATM card with the Visa logo throughout the world. MasterCard is less known in Asia, but still taken at major places.

Visa emblemed ATM cards, used as "credit card" will be your best option. There will be no "fee" charged for transactions, unless you make a cash withdrawal.

Pastor Dave

By far, Debit Cards. Traveler's Checks are a pain. You'll probably have to have it run as a credit card since the French debit card system is different.

If they get confused, hold the card upside down and make the sliding motion. They're use to cards with a microchip in them (which are inserted into a reader), not ones with magnetic strips (which are read by sliding).

U.S. debit cards will work in ATMs but not at automatic gas pumps.

The Juicer

Traveler's checks are not necessary in France. You end up paying way higher fees and have to exchange them when things are open - plus if you do not speak French well, this could add problems.

Bring your ATM card and take out 200 euros at a time at a major bank (BNP, Credit Lyonnais, Societe Generale, or even La Poste - the French post office!). They DO NOT CHARGE FEES at these banks so you will only have to pay your bank whatever fee they charge (there are US banks that do not charge a fee if you look hard enough - try a web search).

Debit card with the Visa logo is way better than traveler's checks, but I think cash from the ATM is the way to go.

By the way, don't carry a fanny pack unless you want to lose your stuff. Trust me. Carry your cash/cards/passport inside your clothes if you can.

JC_10022

Belinda,
Both have their advantages. with debit card you'd use as credit cards, and also pickup cash from ATMs, which saves you from trouble of money chaging, carrying dollars.
If you go for Traveler's check get the card type and not papers. That way you'd use it as credit card, too.

alan

a debit card is cheaper and easy if you do not speak french

webstergirl3210

avoid traveller's checks. A lot of places in Paris will not accept US travellers checks. Some places will accept euro travellers checks but those are hard to get and worthless outside of europe. a debit card isn't your best option either. i would encourage you to use a credit card. besides cash (euros) that is most acceptable form of payment. Most small shops in the majority of Paris will accept credit cards. Also, if you do not speak the language, credit cards will not create some of the problems travellers checks will.

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