Paris Money Guide: ATM Scams, Tipping, Daily Costs & How to Budget Right
The ATM Scam (You're Losing 15% Without Knowing It)
You arrive at a Paris ATM. You're tired from the flight. You want cash.
The ATM offers you a choice: "Convert to USD at a special rate" or "Pay in EUR."
You hit "USD" because it feels convenient.
You just lost 15% to an ATM scam.
This guide covers every money mistake tourists make in Paris—and how to avoid losing 20%+ of your budget to hidden fees.
The ATM Scam (Dynamic Currency Conversion)
How It Works
When you withdraw money at an ATM or pay at a card machine, you get two options:
Option 1 (RIGHT): "Pay in EUR" (Euros)
- Your bank's exchange rate applies
- Usually the real market rate
- Fair pricing
Option 2 (WRONG): "Pay in USD" or "Convert to USD"
- The ATM's exchange rate applies
- Usually 10-15% worse than the real rate
- You're paying the machine, not the market
Real Example
You withdraw €100 from an ATM. The machine offers:
- Pay in EUR: €100 (your bank's rate, €1 = $1.10 USD)
- Pay in USD: $110 (ATM's rate, €1 = $1.10 + 5% fee = effective $1.045)
You picked USD? You just paid an extra €5 for the "convenience" of the ATM doing the conversion.
Over a 10-day trip withdrawing €1000, you'll lose €50-150 to this scam.
The Fix
ALWAYS choose the local currency (EUR). Your bank will convert at the real rate. The ATM won't rip you off.
Where to Get Money (Best to Worst)
Best: ATM at Your Bank (If International Partner)
If your bank has a partnership with a French bank, use their ATM. No foreign transaction fee (usually).
Example: Bank of America partners with BNP Paribas.
How to find: Ask your bank before you leave.
Cost: €0 (usually)
Good: Regular ATMs (AVOID DYNAMIC CONVERSION)
Any ATM in Paris works. Withdraw cash. Always choose EUR.
Cost: €1.50-3 per withdrawal (check with your bank)
Bad: Currency Exchange Shops
€100 = $110 at a tourist exchange shop EUR = $108 at a bank
You just lost $2 on €100. Exchange shops are always worse than banks.
Avoid these completely.
Worst: ATM Booths Marked "Euronet"
These are predatory machines. Fees of €4-6 per withdrawal, plus terrible exchange rates.
See the logo? Walk away.
Credit Cards in Paris
What Works
Visa & Mastercard: Accepted almost everywhere (95% of places) American Express: Accepted in major restaurants/hotels, not small shops Contactless/Tap: Works everywhere. Most convenient.
What Doesn't
Small café (€3 coffee): Might have €5 minimum for card Markets: Usually cash only Very small shops: Cash preferred Tip line at restaurant: Card payments typically don't have tip option
Credit Card Strategy
For most purchases: Use credit card (no foreign transaction fee if you have the right card) For small amounts: Use cash (€20-30) For ATM withdrawals: Choose local currency (EUR)
The Tipping Question (Americans Get This Wrong)
The Truth
In France, tipping is NOT expected. It's optional.
Waiters make €1,500-2,500/month (decent salary) + 5 weeks vacation + free healthcare. They don't rely on tips to survive.
How Much to Tip
Restaurant: €0-2 (nothing expected, €1-2 is "nice") Café: €0 (leave your change if you feel generous) Taxi: €1-2 or round up to nearest €5 Hotel staff: €1-2 per service (porter, housekeeping) Tour guide: €5-10 for a full day Coat check: €1
The Rule
If service was genuinely excellent, leave €1-3. It's appreciated but not expected.
If service was rude or slow, leave nothing. Tip isn't mandatory—it's reward for good service.
Daily Budget Breakdown
Budget Day (€50-65)
- Breakfast (café, croissant, coffee): €4
- Lunch (baguette sandwich from market): €6
- Afternoon (crepe or gelato): €4
- Dinner (neighborhood bistro menu): €20
- Drinks (1 beer): €5
- Metro (carnet of 10): €1.70 per ride
- Museum: €0 (free museum day or skip)
Daily total: €50-65
Mid-Range Day (€75-100)
- Breakfast (café sitting down with pastry): €6
- Lunch (bistro menu): €18
- Afternoon (café + pastry): €5
- Dinner (decent restaurant): €35
- Wine: €5
- Metro/transport: €5
- Museum or activity: €10
Daily total: €84
Splurge Day (€120-150)
- Breakfast (fancy café): €8
- Lunch (nice restaurant): €30
- Afternoon (wine bar): €10
- Dinner (quality restaurant): €60
- Drinks/nightlife: €15
- Transport: €5
- Museum: €15
Daily total: €143
Money-Saving Hacks
Skip Museum Entry
First Sunday of every month: most museums are FREE.
Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Picasso—all free. Crowds are bigger, but you save €16-18 per museum.
Buy a Carnet
10 metro tickets = €16.90 Single ticket = €2.25
Carnet saves 25% if you take 8+ rides.
Eat at Markets
Cheese €3-5, bread €1, cured meat €3-5, fruit €1-2.
Picnic lunch = €8-12. Restaurant lunch = €20-30.
Free Activities
- Walk Along Seine: Free
- Parks (Luxembourg, Buttes-aux-Cailles): Free
- Neighborhoods (Marais, Belleville): Free
- Bridges at sunset: Free
- People watching at cafés (cost of coffee): €2
Skip the Eiffel Tower
Entry costs €17-27. Skip it. See it from Trocadéro for free.
Should You Get Travel Insurance?
Short trip (3-5 days): Probably not necessary Longer trip (7+ days): Consider it If you have pre-existing conditions: Definitely get it
Cost: €30-80 for a week
Emergency: What If You Lose Your Card?
- Call your bank immediately (have your card company number written down)
- They'll cancel the card and send a replacement
- Ask for emergency cash advance if needed
- Most banks offer 24/7 support for travel emergencies
Pro tip: Take a photo of your card (front and back) and email it to yourself before traveling.
The Real Budget Strategy
Paris is expensive if you eat at tourist restaurants. Paris is cheap if you eat where Parisians eat.
€50/day is doable (budget accommodation, market food, free activities). €100/day is comfortable (decent meals, museums, transport). €200/day is luxury (nice restaurants, zero budget concerns).
Most people aim for €75-100/day.
Discover Neighborhoods & Markets with TikTours
TikTours guides tell you where locals actually shop and eat—the cheap stuff that tourists miss. Download before you arrive and navigate Paris like someone who lives there, not someone spending €20 on a tourist sandwich.