Heading abroad for Christmas or New Year? Getting your currency ready in advance saves you from queues and airport rates, especially during this busy period.
Why plan your currency exchange ahead during the holidays
The end of the year concentrates a large share of departures: Christmas markets in Central Europe, winter sun in the Caribbean or Asia, New Year's Eve in London or New York. This surge creates two concrete difficulties when you leave things to the last minute. First, airport exchange offices and ATMs abroad often apply higher fees and margins than what you can find in town. Second, many bank branches reduce their hours between Christmas and New Year's Day, and some less common currencies are simply not available in quantity at the last minute.
Planning ahead means reserving the amount and currency you need a few days before departure, at your own pace, rather than rushing out on the morning of 24 December. That way you set off with a cash reserve already prepared for your first expenses: taxi, tips, small shops and street markets that don't always accept cards.
How much cash to take depending on your destination
The smart approach is to adapt the share of cash to the payment culture of the country. Some destinations remain very attached to cash, while others operate almost without it.
- Germany, Austria, Christmas markets: bring cash in euros, as mulled wine and craft stalls frequently refuse cards. No exchange is needed within the eurozone, but a small cash reserve remains essential.
- United Kingdom: the pound sterling is handy for pubs, taxis and markets, even though contactless payment is very widespread. Plan a small cash budget for incidentals.
- United States: the dollar remains essential for tips, which are practically mandatory (restaurants, porters, drivers). Keep small denominations on hand.
- Morocco, Tunisia, Thailand: sunny destinations that are very cash-oriented, where bargaining and small shops dominate. Note that some local currencies can only be exchanged once you are there: check before you leave.
For large amounts of cash, keep in mind one real rule: above €10,000 (or the equivalent in foreign currency) carried into or out of the European Union, a customs declaration is mandatory.
The advantage of opening hours: an exchange office open 7 days a week
The real headache at the end of the year is the calendar. Departures often fall on a Sunday, a public holiday or the eve of New Year's Eve, precisely when most establishments are closed. Paris Change stays open seven days a week, Monday to Saturday from 9am to 8pm and Sunday from 10am to 7:30pm, which is rare in Paris and particularly valuable during the holidays.
Our single shop is located at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75005 Paris, in the heart of the Latin Quarter, just steps from the Saint-Michel metro station (line 4) and the Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame station (RER B and C). So you can stop by to collect your currency before heading to the station or airport, even on a weekend. Remember to check our hours and access details before setting out, especially around public holidays.
Book online to save time
To avoid any wait during the December rush, the simplest option is to reserve your amount online, then come and collect it in store. You choose from more than 53 currencies, lock in your order, and all that's left is to pick it up. This is ideal for less common currencies, which are best ordered in advance rather than hoping to find them available at the last minute.
Paris Change is an exchange office licensed by the ACPR (Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution, attached to the Banque de France) and carries out transactions commission-free. The rates displayed are counter rates, both for buying and selling, indicative and revised each day according to the market: be sure to check them on the very day of your transaction.
Practical tips for a holiday with no nasty surprises
- Mix your payment methods: some cash for your first expenses, the card for the rest, so you don't carry too much cash.
- Plan for small denominations: they make tips, transport and market purchases easier.
- Anticipate your return: keep a few euros for your expenses as soon as you arrive in Paris, and remember to convert your remaining currency back rather than leaving it idle in a drawer.
- Check local public holidays: in some countries, banks and shops close for several days around the holidays.
Frequently asked questions
Should I exchange my money before leaving or once I'm there?
Exchanging in France spares you the often high margins of airports and the uncertainty over currency availability during the holidays. Preparing a cash reserve before departure, then topping up occasionally on site if needed, remains the most stress-free approach.
Is the exchange office really open during the holidays?
Paris Change is open seven days a week, Sundays included, at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel. For the year-end public holidays, check our hours online before setting out.
Can I reserve a rare currency for my trip?
Yes. With more than 53 currencies on offer, booking online is particularly recommended for less common currencies, to guarantee their availability when you collect them in store.
Get ready for your year-end break with peace of mind: reserve your currency online and come collect it at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, open 7 days a week. Check our hours and access details and enjoy your holidays abroad without any currency worries.
