Exchanging your currency before departure means securing a known budget and avoiding nasty surprises on arrival; converting back when you return prevents you from holding on to banknotes that just sit in a drawer. Between these two moments, the right call depends on your destination, your payment habits and your tolerance for risk. Here's how to decide.
Before or after: the real question of timing
It is tempting to wait until the airport or your destination to change your money. Yet this is often the worst moment: airport and hotel exchange offices apply high margins, sometimes compounded by a commission, because they cash in on a captive, time-pressed clientele. Conversely, preparing your exchange in advance, at your own pace, lets you compare the displayed rate and set off with a budget already locked in.
Exchanging before departure offers three concrete advantages: you know the exact amount you are taking with you, you have cash on hand the moment you land (taxi, transport, first meal, tip for the porter) and you avoid the queues and penalising rates of transit areas. This is particularly useful for destinations where bank cards are poorly accepted, where ATMs are scarce, out of service or charge high withdrawal fees.
Exchanging once you arrive may seem advantageous in large, heavily banked cities, but it means finding an honest exchange office, deciphering a display board in a foreign language and accepting the risk of an unfavourable rate on a public holiday or weekend. The common-sense rule remains the same: always set off with a cash reserve, topping up locally only if necessary.
Rate volatility: should you wait for the right moment?
Exchange rates vary every day according to the market. The counter rates (buy and sell) that we display are indicative and change daily. For an individual planning a trip, trying to "time" the market perfectly is illusory: over a few weeks, the differences generally remain modest relative to a holiday budget.
The sensible strategy is simple: watch the trend over a few days and, if the rate suits you, change without trying to speculate. What weighs most heavily on your budget is not a few cents' variation in the rate, but the commissions and hidden margins you avoid by going through an approved exchange office with no commission. You can check our currencies at any time to estimate your conversion before booking.
How much cash should you really keep?
The right amount depends on the destination. In countries where cash culture dominates (markets, taxis, tips, small shops), plan for more cash; where contactless payment is widespread, a more modest reserve is enough. A few practical benchmarks:
- Arrival reserve: enough to cover transport, meals and unexpected expenses for the first two days, before you have found a reliable ATM or exchange office.
- Tips and small purchases: keep small denominations on hand, often expected in restaurants, transport and services.
- Cash/card mix: keep the card for the hotel and large expenses, cash for daily life and places that do not accept electronic payment.
- Security: spread your banknotes across several places (wallet, bag, hotel safe) and never show all your cash when it's time to pay.
A regulatory point to know: above €10,000 (or the equivalent in foreign currency) in cash entering or leaving the European Union, a customs declaration is mandatory. For a leisure trip, you generally stay well below this threshold, but it is worth knowing if you are travelling in a group or with a substantial budget.
Converting back on your return: don't let your banknotes gather dust
On your return, foreign denominations often remain in your wallet. Two options: keep them for a future stay in the same country, or convert them back into euros. Converting back makes sense if you have no trip planned in the short term, because currency held for months earns nothing and may lose value if the rate moves.
A few good practices: convert banknotes rather than small change (foreign coins are generally not taken back), keep your banknotes in good condition (not torn, not written on) and bear in mind that some less common currencies are less readily accepted. With more than 53 currencies handled, we support both your departure and your return.
Why prepare your exchange at Paris Change
Paris Change is an exchange office approved by the ACPR (Banque de France), located at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75005 Paris, in the heart of the Latin Quarter. The shop is accessible via the Saint-Michel metro (line 4) and the RER B and C (Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame), and remains open 7 days a week: Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm. This range of hours, rare in Paris, gives you time to prepare your exchange the day before a departure as well as on your return, including at the weekend. You can book online and come and collect your currency in store, with no commission.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to exchange at the airport when I arrive?
This is rarely the most advantageous choice: transit offices apply high margins. It is better to set off with a cash reserve prepared in advance and only top up locally if needed.
Should I wait for the rate to drop before exchanging?
Rates vary every day and are impossible to predict precisely. Over the period of preparing a trip, the difference generally remains small: watch the trend for a few days and change when the rate suits you.
Can I convert back my unused currency?
Yes, banknotes in good condition can be converted back into euros. Remember to do so on your return if you have no upcoming trip planned to the same country, rather than letting your denominations lose value.
Prepare for your trip with peace of mind: check our currencies, book online and collect your banknotes at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, open 7 days a week, with no commission.
