Setting off with peace of mind this summer starts with a step that's often overlooked: preparing your currency in advance rather than at the last minute at the airport, where the rates are rarely in your favour.
Why plan your currency exchange ahead of summer
Summer is peak travel season, and it's also when bureaux de change see their busiest periods. Waiting until the day before departure, or worse, relying on an ATM once you've arrived, exposes you to several unpleasant surprises: queues, banknotes unavailable in the denomination you want, overseas banking fees, and airport counter rates that are often far from competitive.
Planning ahead lets you compare at your own pace, choose the right amount, and collect your banknotes stress-free. At Paris Change, a bureau de change approved by the ACPR (Banque de France), you can order your currency online and pick it up in store, commission-free and from more than 53 available currencies.
How far in advance should you plan?
For common currencies such as the US dollar, the pound sterling, or the Swiss franc, a few days are enough. For rarer currencies (Moroccan dirham, Thai baht, Hungarian forint, Czech koruna, etc.), it's wiser to book one to two weeks before departure: this allows time to guarantee availability and the right denomination. Booking online secures the amount you want and avoids depending on the day's stock.
Popular summer destinations and their particularities
Every country has its own payment culture. Here are the useful habits to keep in mind for the most frequented summer destinations:
- United Kingdom (pound sterling): cards are accepted everywhere, even for small amounts, but a little cash is still handy for markets and pubs. A small tip is customary at restaurants when service isn't already included.
- United States (dollar): a very card-oriented country, but cash is essential for tips, which are expected at restaurants as well as for taxis and hotel staff. Plan to have small denominations.
- Switzerland (Swiss franc): high price levels and widespread card payment; a few francs in cash come in handy for transport and mountain areas.
- Morocco (dirham): the dirham is a non-exportable currency, hard to obtain on good terms once you're there; cash dominates in the souks and haggling is part of the culture. Having cash from the moment you arrive is a real comfort.
- Thailand (baht): a destination where cash remains king for markets, street stalls, and local transport; ATMs there often charge a fee per withdrawal.
- Eurozone countries (Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, etc.): no currency exchange needed, but bear in mind that small shops, markets, and some taxis still prefer cash.
How much currency should you exchange?
There's no need to convert everything into cash: the idea is to cover your "cash" expenses without carrying excessive amounts. A simple approach is to estimate a daily budget (local transport, meals, tips, markets, small purchases), then multiply it by the length of your stay, keeping your card for hotels, car rental, and larger amounts.
Remember to ask for small denominations, which are more practical for tips and for shops that struggle to give change. You can also set aside a modest reserve for your first day, while you get your bearings on the ground.
On the regulatory side, keep in mind one genuinely useful rule: above €10,000 (or the equivalent) carried in cash when entering or leaving the European Union, a customs declaration is mandatory. For an ordinary holiday, you're very far from this threshold.
Book online to avoid the wait
Booking online is the best way to avoid the summer queues. You choose the currency and the amount, you confirm your order, then you come and collect your banknotes in store whenever it suits you. Paris Change is open 7 days a week (Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.), which remains rare in Paris and is very convenient for preparing a weekend departure.
Our single store is located at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75005 Paris, in the heart of the Latin Quarter. Access is very simple: Saint-Michel metro (line 4), RER B and C at the Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame station. Exchange is commission-free, and the displayed rates are indicative counter rates, updated every day.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to exchange in France or on arrival?
For most travellers, preparing part of your cash in France before departure avoids withdrawal fees abroad and the stress of looking for a bureau de change on arrival. Some non-exportable currencies, such as the Moroccan dirham, are in fact much easier to obtain before you leave.
Can I book a rare currency for this summer?
Yes. Paris Change offers more than 53 currencies. For less common currencies, ideally book one to two weeks in advance to guarantee availability and the denomination you want.
Do I have to pay a commission?
No, exchange is carried out commission-free. The price corresponds to the counter rate displayed on the day of the transaction, which varies according to the market.
Prepare for your holidays with a light heart: order your currency online right now and come collect it 7 days a week at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, in Saint-Michel.
