There are so many ways to pay for things these days, we want to know which one is best whilst abroad. Contactless cards have made small exchanges quick and easy. There are even banking Apps on your mobile that do the same - great if you've misplaced your wallet but what if you lose your phone!? Not only do you lose your contact with the outside world (how nice would that be) but you could give the 'finder' and unprecedented shopping spree, not to mention login details to a load of sites such as your bank, Paypal, Ebay, Amazon and so forth.

Airport Currency Exchange

Whichever way you decide to pay for things make sure you've decided well in advance. Don't leave it to the last moment and end up buying euros at the airport! You will loose around 10%, or even more at some airports. This is by far the worst way to exchange currency, they're basically sharks!

Post Office

If you feel the need to have some Euros on you before you travel then the Post Office provides a great service with a reasonable exchange rate and no extra fees. Perfect if you have a specific budget in mind and don't want to spend any more.


ATM

If you want to wait until you arrive in France, simply use your debit card at an ATM, much the same as you would in the UK. Most banks offer a reasonably competitive rate when using a Debit Card in this way. Like anywhere else in the world you should avoid using Credit Cards to withdraw cash as there are substantial charges that apply.


Using your debit/credit card at shops and restaurants

If you are expecting to pay for large families and groups, you probably don't want to carry around wads of cash. Not only does it weigh you down but you could lose it, misplace it, have it stolen etc. Purchasing things like family lunches on cards is easy and you are given the same reasonable exchange rate as when using an ATM, hoorah! However depending on your bank, each transaction and purchase incurs a small fee. This fee depends on the bank you are using; Nationwide, Santander and Metro Bank all offer credit cards with no extra charges but most others will. Barclays for example charge 2.75% as their non sterling transaction fee PLUS a £1.50 non sterling purchase fee.


Euro Bank Account

Some may well have a Euro bank account, in France, in which case you should take care to choose a Foreign Exchange specialist to transfer funds from Sterling into Euros. The main high street banks do not provide particularly competitive rates and we would recommend looking at a specialist such as Transfer Wise


Specialist (travel) cards

If you want a 'catch all' solution that you can travel far and wide with, take a look at a prepaid currency card such as Monzo - It's free to spend and withdraw cash worldwide. You load the card with pounds, then the conversion's done when you use the card overseas. 

Tagged with;

Your adventure starts here
Our accommodation
Chalet Saskia
Chalet Saskia
A delightful spacious chalet for groups up to 25 people
MAISON Rostaing
MAISON Rostaing
As big as it gets, with a large garden
Chalet Rostaing
Chalet Rostaing
Spacious with thoughtful decor
Chalet Lucette
Chalet Lucette
Bright, warm and perfect
Chalet Dibona
Chalet Dibona
The cosiest place to stay
Apartments
Apartments
Spread out in comfort
V de Vaujany
V de Vaujany
The transformed Hotel Rissiou

We offer Vaujany chalets which are of the highest standard. All of our chalets ooze character yet feel like home away from home. Our staff will take care of you from the moment they meet you.

Extra Services

We will always try to work around your schedule. As a small specialist tour operator exclusively providing luxury holidays to Vaujany, we have the flexibility often missing from larger companies.

Be it to organise a quick second break, a weekend get-away for a large group or perhaps a corporate weekend, we can tailor make a break that meets all your requirements.