The tipping culture throughout Europe varies quite a bit from Paris to Amsterdam, and Sweden is no different. And a trip to Stockholm can add up fast if you don’t watch your budget. There are plenty of free museums in Stockholm and some great budget hotels, but everything else, from restaurants to taxis, will be higher than in most places in Europe.

However, knowing how the tipping culture works in Sweden can save you some money in Stockholm and beyond, while still keeping you in the good graces of your host nation.

Swedish tipping etiquette

In Sweden, service charges are almost always included in the bill — and keep in mind that the person waiting on your table at the restaurant is making a living wage without your tips. Of course, no one will be insulted if you leave a tip. Or if you don’t leave one, for that matter.

Understanding the bill

Despite the lack of social stigma towards not tipping, receipts tend to give you the choice. If you paid with a card, you’ll receive your bill with the total amount owed, as well as a couple of empty lines, one to fill in the tip, and one to fill in the final total.

Note: If you are in an upscale restaurant, there might be an extra line to fill in. Don’t. That line is for leaving a tip at the coat check, and unless you are visiting in winter, there tends not to be much coat checking going on.

Tipping in general

In the US, there are plenty of opportunities to tip. Those same opportunities can be found in Sweden, although, tips are not expected. Haircuts (no tip necessary in Sweden), hotels (no tip necessary in Sweden), bathroom attendants (never even seen one in Stockholm, so definitely no tip necessary), and of course, the two most common tipping opportunities – restaurants and taxis.

Tipping for restaurants and bars

Tipping when drinking and dining out has been changing recently. It is still completely acceptable to leave no tip or to only round up. A stor stark (strong beer) for 58 SEK will become 60 and everyone is happy.

However, ask around and you’ll hear that tipping is becoming more and more common in recent years. Not gratuitous tipping by any means, but a 5-10 percent tip is considered good form. Especially if you were pleased with the service.

Tipping for taxis

There are ways to avoid using taxis (public transportation in Stockholm and taking the train from Arlanda Airport, for example), but you may find yourself in a situation where you can’t avoid taking a taxi ride. If you’re traveling with luggage a tip of 10 percent is pretty standard. If you’re traveling without luggage, just round up a few SEK and thank your cab driver.

Stockholm is an expensive city to visit and by no means should you feel obligated to leave a tip. Whether it is for the taxi driver or the bartender, tips are not expected. Instead, save your money and grab another beer or check out just one more museum.

The post Stockholm: When (and when not) to tip in Sweden appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But a brilliant system for managing your budget on home turf doesn’t always work when traveling in Europe, and hidden costs from using your American credit card abroad can lead even seasoned travelers to unwittingly overspend in Paris.

Know When To Leave Home Without Them

Some travelers justify using a credit card to pay for everything by imagining all the rewards points they might be accumulating or giving themselves an “I’m-on-vacation” pass. But before you make assumptions about what a great idea it is bring your credit card along on vacation, do the actual math to avoid ugly surprises once you’re back home.

Don’t Fall Victim to Foreign Transaction Fees

Many Paris merchants will be happy to take your American credit card, but only a handful of American card companies do not charge around 3% for foreign transactions. Add this to the already weak dollar/euro exchange equation, and you’re looking at a lot of wasted money.

(If you travel internationally on a regular basis and like the convenience of using plastic, you might want to read more about cards without foreign transaction fees.)

Beware of Credit Card Minimums

French debit cards are widely accepted in Paris, but not every merchant chooses to take plastic, and those who do often require a minimum purchase. Buying €5 worth of croissants at the boulangerie to meet the minimum purchase requirement when you can get by with spending a €1 coin is a bit rich. Using your card for a large purchase can make sense, but make sure you have cash on hand for everyday expenses.

Remember that while it is convenient to use plastic for everything, it’s not convenient when you have no cash on you and cards aren’t accepted. (Sidenote: Paris taxis are not required to take credit cards, though some now do, but they don’t mind being asked to stop at an ATM machine while you get some cash.)

Cash Rewards

Just like anywhere, many Parisian merchants will make deals with you if you are willing to pay in cash. This won’t work at the supermarket or in a restaurant, but it may work at the flea market or a street market and some small boutiques, where offering to pay in cash can lead to a discount.

The Double-Edged Sword of Convenience

Also remember that studies have shown that using a credit card for purchases increases spending by an average of 18%. Even though euros can seem like Monopoly money when you first start using them in all their multi-colored and mini-coined glory, there is something painful about watching your wallet physically empty that is a natural deterrent to impulse buys and overspending.

Related Article: How Avoid ATM Fees in Paris

The post Advice on using credit cards in Paris appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Sure, everyday small charges like cafe cremes in Paris (€2-4) and vaporetto rides in Venice (€6.50) do add up and can make a Cheapo panic. However, these are relatively minor charges when compared to the big-ticket items in your budget: flights, hotels, car rentals and train tickets.

Luckily, there are simple steps you can take right now to minimize these big expenses. Some of these tips may be old news to you, bien sur. But even if one tip comes in handy, it could save you a whole wad of euros.

Kayak’s price alert

1. Set up airfare alerts

Haven’t booked your airline tickets yet? Set up airfare alerts to find a flight deal on Web sites like Kayak.com and Airfarewatchdog.com.

On Kayak, do a search for your desired travel dates and then click “Get a price alert” on the left side of the page. Once you register, they’ll email you with daily or weekly airfare deals for your route.

On Airfarewatchdog, “Deal Hounds” sniff out the lowest ticket prices for your route and send similar email updates. On both sites, you stand a much better chance of scoring a deal if your travel dates are flexible.

2. Pack lightly

As we mentioned last week, most transatlantic airlines have introduced ridiculous baggage fees for checking a second, third or overweight bag. For flights from the US to Europe, these fees can be as high as $200 per bag (one way!).

Check out our roundup of airline baggage fees and only check one bag.

The RoissyBus taks passengers from Paris to Charles de Gaulle.

3. Take public transportation to and from the airport

Alas, how many people have we dissuaded from taking a taxi from Charles de Gaulle to their hotel in Paris! Every one of the major European cities we cover on EuroCheapo offers public transportation from the airport to the center of town, and the majority offer both train and bus options.

Whether you’re getting from Charles de Gaulle to Paris or Schiphol to Amsterdam, there’s a budget-friendly (and usually quite efficient) way into town that doesn’t involve an expensive taxi. Check out our city guides for more information.

4. Think twice before booking a rail pass

For Americans, the lure of the Eurail Pass is strong. Just reading the descriptions of the passes on their Web site can get you excited and ready to hop on board!

It’s easy to forget that these rail passes are not always a good deal. Sure, they offer some convenience and peace of mind, but they don’t always save you money over simply buying individual point-to-point rail tickets (like the millions of Europeans who take trains daily).

Aboard the Renfe train between Cordoba and Granada. No need for a rail pass.

To find out if a rail pass offers “rail” savings, compare the pass price to the point-to-point ticket prices found on the railways’ official Web site (and not the Web site of a rail pass re-seller).

For much more information on this, read these posts: Read this before you buy a European rail passes; Extra charges for rail pass holders; Deutsche Bahn fares better than rail agents; How to book French rail tickets (in French)

5. Book major train tickets in advance

If booking rail journeys directly with the European railways, like the SNCF (France), Deutsche Bahn (Germany) and Renfe (Spain), book those seats in advance. For long-distance train travel, ticket prices climb as the travel date approaches, so advance booking is essential to getting a deal. Most of these railways release tickets three or four months in advance. (Local trains for small jaunts, however, do not need to be booked in advance.)

For more information, read our post on the “three-month rule.”

The EuroCheapo gang rented this car in Berlin. We weren’t smiling two weeks later when we paid the bill.

6. Know the real cost of renting a car

How much will that rental car really cost you? When you do a quick rental car search online, the rates you see will most likely not include taxes or insurance, and certainly won’t include the price of gasoline or the tolls you’ll pay on major highways.

Read our quick guide to calculating the real cost of renting a car in Europe. Then weigh those costs against other options, like trains or budget flights.

Then, use EuroCheapo to search and compare car rental quotes from competing agencies.

While you’re at it, know whether or not to buy extra insurance for your car. (And for that matter, know if you should buy travel insurance for your entire trip!)

7. Choose your hotel wisely

Your hotel expenditure will probably be the most expensive part of your trip. Here at EuroCheapo, we’re obsessed with hotel values. That’s why our editors spend so much time snooping around hotels, taking photos and writing reviews. We can tell you that two hotels sitting side-by-side can charge radically different rates for remarkably similar rooms.

The Hotel Tiquetonne in Paris is central, clean and cheap.

When choosing a hotel, consider “losing a star,” downgrading perhaps from a three-star to a two-star hotel. Decide which amenities you require in a room: Do you need a minibar? cable TV? elevator? If you’re open to a simpler hotel, you can save a bundle and you might find the hotel to be more charming, as well.

Also, give careful consideration to the hotel’s location. If you decide upon a hotel located outside the city center in order to save money, will there be an easy and affordable way home at night? We usually opt for simpler hotels near the center, within walking distance of nighttime activities, if possible.

Read our reviews of budget hotels all over Europe and take our advice–we’ve been there!

8. Know what’s for breakfast

This may sound minor, but breakfast is a big business for hotels. Whether or not breakfast is included in your room rate can add a jarring amount to the bill or save you in the end. It’s a tad confusing, too, as breakfast offerings tend to change by city.

These water bottles in Venice are cheaper at the supermarket.

In Paris, for example, most hotels do not include breakfast in the room rate. When you pay for breakfast, you’ll often be disappointed by what’s set down in front of you: a croissant or piece of baguette, butter and jelly, coffee and juice–for about €10. You’d pay about half that if you headed to a neighborhood cafe, stood at the bar and enjoyed breakfast with the locals.

In London, meanwhile, hotels and B&B’s pride themselves in their included breakfasts, which often come with eggs, bacon, sausage, beans and toast. It’s not necessarily healthy, but it’s good for your budget! (It also helps you eat a lighter and cheaper lunch.)

In many cities, hotels sometimes include breakfast in the room rate, depending upon conditions when booking. The only way to really know if it’s included is to check when reserving your room.

There’s another easy way to eat a healthy breakfast and pay a fraction of the price: Head to a neighborhood supermarket after checking into your hotel to pick up the essentials (bottles of water, oranges, bananas, etc.). If your room has a mini-fridge, you could store yogurt, milk or juice. Bon appetit!

9. Be careful with American iPhones

Americans heading to Europe should be careful before powering up their iPhones abroad. AT&T offers various European travel plans, and almost all of them are too expensive to be a serious option for budget travelers.

We recommend leaving your iPhone set to “Airplane Mode” throughout your trip, and only using it when connected to a Wi-Fi network. Read more in our guide to “Using an American iPhone in Europe… without going broke.”

10. Understand bank fees before using your credit cards or an ATM

How much will your bank charge you to use your credit or debit card abroad? How about withdrawing money from an ATM? When’s the last time you checked?

American banks have “adjusted” their fee structures during the past few years, so we’d recommend checking in with your banks before heading to Europe. If you have multiple cards at your disposal, chances are that they’ll charge different foreign transaction fees. Knowing who charges what will save you money in the end.

Read our quick overview to ATM, Debit and Credit Card charges abroad.

Your tips for saving on European travel

What tips do you have for saving on your “big ticket” items when traveling in Europe? Have a question about any of the tips mentioned above? Share your thoughts in our comments section.

The post Cheapo Basics: 10 ways to save on the “big items” in your travel budget appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

How much does your American bank charge to withdraw money from a foreign ATM? Do they take a percentage? What’s the foreign transaction fee applied by your credit card? How about your other credit card?

I know, just about anything would be more fun than an hour spent on the phone with your bank and credit card companies before leaving on a trip. But ignorance is not bliss, dear readers! Before heading to Europe there are a number of questions about foreign transaction charges and ATM fees that American travelers should absolutely ask their banking institutions.

This information is quite dynamic, as US banks have recently been changing their fee structures in an attempt to recover lost profits following a couple of rocky years. Thus, even if you called before your last trip, call again. Things may have changed.

Ready to call? Here’s our “cheat sheet” for what to discuss with your bank:

Tell your bank about your trip.

First, the basics: Call your bank and credit card companies to tell them that you’ll be traveling abroad. This is important for them to know, as foreign charges and ATM withdrawals may signal an internal “red-flag” and could result in your account being frozen. That’s really not something you want to deal with from, say, the cobblestone streets of Florence.

Your bank will probably ask for the duration of the trip and may ask which countries you’ll be visiting. It’s a good idea to ask them for a phone number to call from abroad, should any banking concerns arise (many cards have this information printed on their back).

That’s the easy part. Now let’s get into the fees.

Q: Does your bank charge a foreign ATM withdrawal fee? Do they charge a percentage of the withdrawal? Both?

This will vary widely among banks, however many charge between $1.50-$5 per withdrawal AND add a foreign transaction fee of 1-3%. However, some banks will only charge a flat fee and others may only charge a percentage. To illustrate how widely these charges differ between banks, we hunted down the ATM withdrawal charges yesterday  at some of the country’s most popular banks. Here’s what we found:

Bank of America: $5 fee per ATM withdrawal plus 1% currency conversion fee (or no ATM fee plus 1% for withdrawals from Global ATM Alliance). Read more on Bank of America’s Web site.

Citibank: 3% currency conversion fee per withdrawal. For more information, see Citibank’s Web site.

Chase: $3 ATM charge plus 3% currency conversion fee per withdrawal (or no ATM charge plus 3% fee for premium accounts). For basic account charges, read the small print on Chase’s Web site.

HSBC: $1.50 ATM charge per withdrawal. No currency conversion fee (and no fees at all for premium accounts). For more information, try to digest this PDF from HSBC’s Web site — or call and speak to a representative.

Wells Fargo: $5 ATM fee per withdrawal. No currency conversion fee. More information on Wells Fargo Web site.

These rates were found on May 26, 2010 and could change at any time. Please check with your bank to find current fees and charges.

Q: Does your bank charge a foreign transaction fee for debit card charges?

Just as ATM fees vary widely, debit card charges are all over the place. For the most part, however, the bank will assess a foreign transaction fee and most hover around 3%. In some cases, it’s slightly less. We’ve also heard of banks charging both a foreign transaction percentage AND a flat-fee for debit charges.

After talking to your bank, call and ask your credit card company the same questions.

Q: Does your credit card charge a foreign transaction fee?

For most credit cards, the answer will be yes. It’s often around 3%, but, like everything else, it varies from card to card.

Notably, the Capital One credit card does not charge any foreign transaction fees for purchases abroad, which has made it quite popular with travelers. (For more information, see Capital One’s Web site.)

Q: What does your credit card charge for cash advances?

Most cards will charge a percentage of the cash advance, plus any other fees that your card would normally charge for an advance. Some banks also set a minimum cash advance fee.

Some more points to keep in mind

* Many US banks have now started charging foreign exchange fees for purchases made with foreign companies even if you’re still in the US. For example, if you purchase a Ryanair (based in Dublin) flight online from your office in Detroit, you may still pay a 3% foreign exchange fee, even though you hadn’t left the country.

* Many foreign ATMs have only numbers on their keypads. If your PIN (security code) also uses letters, figure out the numerical equivalent before you head over.

* Foreign ATMs may only permit you to withdraw cash from your checking account, and may not allow access to savings or other accounts. It’s wise to beef up the checking account before heading over — and know how to log in to your account online, in case you need to transfer more cash into your checking account.

Choose wisely

These calls are a bit tedious, but, as many of us travel with multiple credit or debit cards, it’s vital that you know the terms for each card.

You’ll probably find that your cards have different fee structures that you can work to your advantage. For example, if an ATM card charges a flat-fee without a percentage for each withdrawal, make fewer withdrawals and take out more euros each time. If one of your credit cards has a lower foreign transaction fee, it’s an obvious choice to use on the road.

The bottom line is this: Call your bank and credit card companies before heading over. When you get your statements later, there won’t be any surprises. (Well, at least from the fees… Impulse purchases are another story.)

Your questions and money advice

What other questions do you ask your bank before leaving? What have you learned from your ATM and banking experiences abroad? Tell us about it in the comments section below!

The post ATM, Debit, and Credit Card Fees for Americans in Europe: Know before you go! appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

As of today, the US dollar is stronger against the euro than at any time since April 17, 2006. This morning the euro was trading at US $1.23, a remarkable drop from its high on December 3, 2009, when the euro hit $1.51.

The financial implications for Americans traveling in Europe now or heading to Europe soon are very real. Simply put, you’ll spend the same amount in euros, but spend a lot less in dollars.

Take, as a very basic example, a hotel room that costs €100 a night. In December, it would have cost $151. Today the same room costs $123. That’s a savings of $28 per night. Now, multiply that sort of savings by every night in a hotel, every meal in a restaurant, every trip on the Metro — and you’ll see how this can really add up.

There are winners and losers in every currency fluctuation. The high euro of the past several years has been great for Europeans visiting the United States, but not so great for the European travel industry, which has seen a sharp decline in American tourists visiting Europe. With a suddenly stronger dollar, Americans will regain spending power that we haven’t seen since 2006. Hopefully, this will inspire more Americans to travel abroad while also benefiting the local economies.

Taking advantage of the exchange rate

Will the dollar continue to get stronger against the euro? Of course we can only speculate. It’s been so many years since we saw it this strong, however, that our instinct is to try to take advantage of these rates now, lest they don’t last.

Americans traveling abroad right now are already taking advantage of the strong dollar with every purchase and ATM cash withdrawal. For those preparing to head over in the next couple of months, it would make sense to “lock in” the exchange rate by pre-paying for anything you can right now in euros. (Unless, of course, you think the dollar will continue to get stronger. If that’s the case, disregard the rest of this post and pay as you go!)

Many (if not most) parts of a trip are paid for during the trip. Hotels, for example, are usually paid for upon check-out. Food is paid for several times a day — and hardly ever in advance! The same goes for most incidental charges.

However, there are some ways you can take advantage of the exchange rate now by pre-paying in euros. These include:

1. If you’re going to buy euros from your bank, do it now.

This is a funny “tip,” as we usually tell readers not to spend much money at all on pre-buying euros. “Wait until you get to the airport, then hit the ATM!” we cry.

However, it is a good idea to have some euros in your pocket upon arrival — after all, the airport ATM could theoretically be out of order. Buying euros from American banks can be an awkward, time-intensive, maddening affair — and you could end up paying a fee or not getting the best exchange rate. However, if you already are planning on going to the bank for some euros before your trip, go now!

Side note: For visitors to almost any European destination, we recommend arriving with just enough euros to get your group into town and get something to eat, if necessary. Once there, head for an ATM.

2. Book any European-based flights between cities now.

You probably won’t see big savings on US to Europe flights anytime soon, as carriers have cut back on the number of flights in order to drive up ticket prices and recoup some recent losses. However, if you’re planning to take European-based low-cost airlines between cities in Europe (which is a budget-friendly, if not environmentally-friendly way to get around), you can pay for those flights in euros and should book them now.

These include flights on Ryanair, Air Berlin, Germanwings, WizzAir, and many others (which we cover in our budget flights guide). Given the dollar’s strength against the British pound ($1.42 yesterday, the lowest since March 2009), this also holds true for booking easyJet flights in British pounds.

3. Book any train journeys now.

Which brings us to another favorite point, book your train journeys directly with the European railways and not through a US-based agent. Companies in the US often charge expensive prices for passes (like the Eurail), which are designed only for Americans — and sold in dollars, which won’t be affected by the changes in exchange rates.

Instead, book point-to-point train tickets directly with the national rail Web sites, be it the SNCF (France), Trenitalia (Italy), Deutsche Bahn (Germany), etc. For much more on this subject, please see this post on booking directly and this for booking an SNCF ticket in French!

4. Ask if you can pre-pay for your hotel.

This request may be greeted with outright laughter, but it’s worth a try.

Most hotels, especially budget-friendly hotels, will only let you pay for your room upon check-out. This is done for a number of reasons — it’s how their reservation agencies work, they may not be able to make a charge for a service not yet performed, it’s too much of a hassle to refund if you cancel, etc. (Most hotels, however, will ask for a credit card number to guarantee your room and will charge it only if you cancel.)

However, you could always ask if the hotel can charge you in advance in euros for your stay. Hey, it’s worth asking!

5. Pre-book airport transportation.

We recommend taking local transportation from your arrival into town. This usually means a train, bus, or subway, most of which will not be able to be pre-booked. However, sometimes you need something more dedicated, like a private shuttle bus, car service, or taxi.

There are numerous companies that offer ground transportation from European airports to city centers or even hotels. One budget-friendly option is Terravision, which runs comfortable low-cost buses from the airports of major cities. Pre-booking these fares, in euros, could save you.

6. Pre-book tickets for tourist sights and museums.

Finally, think of the major attractions that you plan to visit during your trip. You may be surprised to find that many of these offer online pre-booking in euros. From tickets to the Uffizzi in Florence to tickets up the Eiffel Tower in Paris, you can buy them online in euros, and then skip the line.

Some words of caution: Make sure that you’re buying directly from the museum or attraction and not through a third-party company that will be tacking on a commission. (Double check the URL of the site. Also, check out the prices on the “official” Web site and make sure it’s the same price you’ll be paying.)

Also, don’t overdo this. Travel should be fun and spontaneous. Nothing crushes spontaneity as quickly as an overbooked trip, dictated by an overzealous to-do list. (For more on this, read this controversial essay on visiting “Paris without the Louvre.”)

Foreign transaction fees

It’s important to note that many American credit card companies now charge “foreign transaction fees” (up to 3%) for purchases made with foreign companies, even if made from the United States. For much more on this, see our post on fees for ATM withdrawals and credit card purchases in Europe.

Final note

Of course, if the dollar continues to grow stronger against the euro, you could find yourself in Europe with an even more advantageous exchange rate than today’s. In that case, you would have benefited from NOT pre-booking anything. Only time will tell.

Either way, one thing is for sure: Travel to Europe hasn’t been this budget-friendly for Americans in many years. If you’ve been putting off that trip, consider this your wake-up call! Happy travels.

Other ideas?

Do you have any other ideas for ways that Americans traveling abroad can benefit from the suddenly stronger dollar? Please tell us about it in the comments section below.

The post 6 Ways Americans heading to Europe can benefit now from a stronger dollar appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Why? Because the RER (regional train) and Paris Metro ticket machines only accept “EC” credit cards that are security-chip enabled. American credit cards are not equipped with this technology and, for the most part, don’t work.

Getting into Paris from Charles de Gaulle Airport… with an American credit card

I think that the easiest (and most economical) way into Paris from Charles de Gaulle is the city’s regional train, the RER. The train departs several times an hour from train stations in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at CDG. The trip takes between 25-35 minutes to central Paris, depending on whether it’s running express or making local stops along the way.

RER tickets cost €8.20 per person, each way. Dozens of ticket machines are located in the airport terminals, making it (hypothetically) easy to grab a ticket and hop onto a train. However, the machines only accept EC credit cards. When we’ve tried to purchase a ticket with an American-issued card, the screen simply states “Card not valid.”

Machines also take euro notes and coins, but if you’ve just arrived in Europe, you may not be arriving with any euro currency. Of course, you could first swing by an airport ATM, although lines can be long and ATMs often dispense bills in high denominations, not exactly handy for an 8 euro ticket.

The solution?

One solution is to buy your ticket from the ticket counter. I have resorted to this in the past—which is never fun, as it usually involves waiting in a long line. However, the ticket agents do accept American credit cards. Many American tourists, faced with this solution, get in line.

I finally got my ticket.

During my trip to Paris this month, I went through all the motions: I tried my MasterCard on two machines and was rejected by both. I then turned and gazed at the line snaking out from the ticket office. I was certain to spend the first 45 minutes of my time in Paris waiting to pay for a regional train ticket. Sad.

But then I noticed several peppy, smiling customer service personnel drifting about the floor, between the machines, asking bemused tourists if they needed help.

Just for kicks, I approached a young woman and explained my dilemma. “The machine won’t take my credit card.”

“You’re trying to use an American card, right?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“This might not work, but there’s one machine over here that sometimes takes American cards,” she said, and led me past several clusters of ticket machines to one particular, inconspicuous machine, which appeared to me to be just like the others.

And sure enough, it worked. For some reason, that one machine accepted my MasterCard and saved me from the RER ticket line of tears.

Good luck with those Metro tickets!

Metro tickets… Rejection, part deux

Over the past several years, Paris has closed down Metro ticket booths in many stations and replaced them with automated vending machines. (In many cases, the ticket booths have been replaced with information booths. But they won’t sell you tickets.)

The ticket machines are pretty easy to use, unless—you guessed it!—you’re trying to use an American credit card. In short: They’re not accepted.

The solution: Pay in cash (some machines only accept coins, while others accept bills) or go to one of the Metro stations that still actually has a ticket counter (these can be found in the most-popular stations in central Paris).

What do you think?

Have you had any issues with using an American (or any other) credit card in Paris or other French cities like Marseille or Lyon? Have you been able to use your card? Do you have another creative solution? Tell us about it!

The post Paris Transit: Buying RER and Metro tickets with an American credit card appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.