In France - Cash? Debit? Or Credit card?

myfanwy21

Hi - travelling to France this summer. Normally get euros out from post office or online depending on best rates at time and only use cash/euros during holiday. But would it be cheaper to use debit or credit cards? I’ve got Barclays, Halifax, Santander and Nationwide debit cards and Barclaycard visa credit card and Barclaycard MasterCard credit card.
Just need simple advice as it’s all so confusing and so many people have different opinions. Thanks in advance

zagfles

What would you do if you were going on holiday somewhere in the UK? Would you get enough cash out before you left to last you the entire holiday? Maybe get it delivered in the post?

Sounds ridiculous doesn't it? So why do people do it when going abroad? They have cashpoints. They take credit cards, though may not be as widely accepted as here. Although in France, if you're driving, card is essential at unmanned petrol stations, and paying tolls by card is a lot quicker.

Cost of using typical cards is similar to changing cash, except more honest. They give you a good rate but generally a charge on top. Changing cash they'll often pretend it's "commission free" but with a big commission hidden in the rate.

Best way is to get a zero fee card and use that. See the link at the top of the page https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

Roger1

zagfles is quite right.

France is an especially interesting example as it was one of the earlier European markets to adopt cards, especially Visa - unlike some of its neighbouring countries. Looking at you, Germany and The Netherlands, where progress was much slower.

soolin

I travel to France a lot, treat it just the same really as being in the U.K. I travel with a bit of cash for drinks at a bar or en route and just use my Metro card at an ATM to draw out more if I need to, or pay in shops or restaurants by card.

NoodleDoodleMan

I’ve got Barclays, Halifax, Santander and Nationwide debit cards and Barclaycard visa credit card and Barclaycard MasterCard credit card.

Beware using the "debit cards from hell" that Martin Lewis warns to avoid.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2014/06/debit-cards-worse-than-credit-cards-for-summer-holidays/

Do you have the top rated Barclaycard credit card that MSE recommend ?

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

Jox

I went to France early May and used my Santander credit card and Santander debit card to pay for things. My debit card charged me £1.25 foreign purchase fee per purchase and my credit card charged 0.21p for non-sterling transaction fee per purchase, I wish I'd known beforehand!

EveryWhere

Jox wrote: »

I went to France early May and used my Santander credit card and Santander debit card to pay for things. My debit card charged me £1.25 foreign purchase fee per purchase and my credit card charged 0.21p for non-sterling transaction fee per purchase, I wish I'd known beforehand!

Why did you not? There are a million posts here about using the right card for travel.

Jox

I didn't look into it before I went to be honest

zagfles

Jox wrote: »

I didn't look into it before I went to be honest

It still might have been cheaper than changing cash. As above the charges when paying by card are explicit, whereas the charges when changing cash are hidden in a poor rate.

But yes get a zero fee card and then you'll definitely be better off than changing cash.