How to Pay for Everything in Paris: 13 Things To Know Before your Trip
Travelers land in Paris with the same question every year: do you need cash, a credit card, a debit card, or some complicated mix of all three? The truth comes out fast once people actually move around the city, buy metro tickets, grab a croissant, or try to check into a hotel. This list breaks down the real experience of how people pay for things in Paris today, with all the practical details that keep coming up.
1. Debit cards work almost everywhere
People use debit cards in Paris for almost everything: cafés, bakeries, restaurants, shops, museums, metro machines. Card terminals accept Visa and Mastercard without fuss. Many travelers say 90–95% of their purchases go through a debit card.
2. Cash still works, but it’s not the main system anymore
You can pay cash in most places, but Paris is no longer a cash-first city. Local residents say they barely touch physical money, and many cafés and counters prefer quick contactless payments. Cash is now something you carry for small purchases, not your main tool.
3. The real risk is carrying too much cash
Pickpocketing comes up all the time, It happens in metro trains, crowded stations, and busy shopping streets. Losing a wallet full of notes hurts far more than canceling a card. Keeping large amounts of cash in your pocket draws attention, especially in tourist zones.
4. Foreign transaction fees can ruin your budget
Some debit cards charge a fixed fee every time you make a purchase abroad. That $2 fee hits you even for a €2 coffee. When travelers realize this, they feel trapped. The fix is simple: check your bank’s fees before you fly. Or use a separate card with better terms.
5. Always choose to pay in euros, never in dollars
Shops and restaurants sometimes offer to charge your card in USD. It looks friendly, but the rate is terrible. People who’ve tried it call it a small but steady money leak. Choosing euros keeps the bank from applying bad conversion tricks.
6. ATMs give better rates than airport kiosks
Withdrawing euros from a French ATM (especially from a partner bank like BNP Paribas for Bank of America customers) is cheaper than using a currency exchange booth. ATMs handle the conversion automatically at a fairer rate. You pull out what you need and move on.
7. Wise and Revolut are the easiest travel solutions
These two apps constantly get mentioned in traveler feedback. You load money from your US account, convert to euros at a low rate, and use the card on your phone for contactless payments. The balance is separate from your main bank, which limits risk if something happens.
8. Credit cards help with hotel holds and fraud issues
Hotels put a temporary hold on your card. On a debit card, that hold locks up real money in your checking account. On a credit card, it doesn’t affect your cash. Americans also point out that their credit cards offer stronger fraud protection in their banking system.
9. European debit cards have strong protections too
People from Europe and Australia don’t agree with the idea that debit cards are unsafe. Their debit systems force a PIN after a few tap payments and use app confirmations for online purchases. Money is refunded quickly when fraud happens. The dynamic is simply different from the US model.
10. Metro tickets are easy to buy with cards
Ticket machines in metro and RER stations accept both cards and cash. You can buy a Navigo Easy card at station counters (around €2) and load rides on it. Individual paper tickets are being phased out, so Navigo Easy is the standard for single trips. Tram machines take cards and coins, but not notes.
11. Direct tap-to-enter isn’t fully deployed yet
Some visitors think you can tap a bank card on metro gates the same way you do in London. Locals clarify that Paris is not fully there yet (though it’s being deployed). You still need a Navigo Easy or a ticket loaded in the system.
This avoids surprises when you try to breeze through a gate that doesn’t accept your tap.
12. Apps help with transport too
People mention loading funds into the Île-de-France Mobilités app to buy tickets directly. Others use mobility apps that accept card top-ups. These tools are common and save time when you travel around the city.
13. Uber avoids taxi overcharging disputes
Some people prefer Uber because of overcharging attempts in traditional taxis, especially from airports. Paying through the app removes the stress of negotiating or dealing with a non-functioning card terminal.
Final Notes – Tipping pressure
Service is included in France. Still, electronic terminals sometimes show “suggested gratuity” prompts in areas filled with tourists. When you pay in cash, there’s no prompt. Some people feel that these screens try to push Americans into tipping habits they don’t need abroad.