Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
able at sights for proof. Seniors (age 60 and over) may get the odd discount, though they
maybelimitedtocitizensoftheEuropeanUnion(EU).Toinquireaboutaseniordiscount,
ask,
“Réduction troisième âge?”
(ray-dook-see-ohn twah-zee-ehm ahzh).
Online Translation Tip:
You can use Google's Chrome browser (available free at
www.google.com/chrome
)
toinstantlytranslatewebsites.Withoneclick,thepageappears
in(veryrough)English translation. Youcan also paste the URL ofthe site into the transla-
tion window at
www.google.com/translate
.
Thissection offersadviceonhowtopayforpurchasesonyourtrip(includinggettingcash
from ATMs and paying with plastic), dealing with lost or stolen cards, VAT (sales tax) re-
funds, and tipping.
Bring both a credit card and a debit card. You'll use the debit card at cash machines
(ATMs) to withdraw local cash for most purchases, and the credit card to pay for larger
items. Some travelers carry a third card, in case one gets demagnetized or eaten by a tem-
peramental machine. For an emergency reserve, consider bringing €200 in hard cash in
€20 bills. French banks won't exchange dollars and exchange booths offer lousy rates.
Cash is just as desirable in Europe as it is at home. Small businesses (hotels, restaurants,
and shops) prefer that you pay your bills with cash. Some vendors (usually small) won't
even take credit cards, so cash is the best—and sometimes only—way to pay for bus fare,
taxis, and local guides.
Throughout Europe, ATMs are the standard way for travelers to get cash. But stay
awayfrom“independent”ATMssuchasTravelex,Euronet,andForex,whichchargehuge
commissions and have terrible exchange rates.
Exchange Rate
1 euro (€) = about $1.30
To convert prices in euros to dollars, add about 30 percent: €20 = about $26, €50
= about $65. (Check
www.oanda.com
for the latest exchange rates.) Just like the
