The right tools save you hundreds on a France trip. A no-fee bank card avoids 3–5% currency markups, travel insurance covers emergencies, and an eSIM keeps you connected without roaming fees. Here's everything we actually recommend.
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💳 Money — Bank Cards
French ATMs and card machines are everywhere, but your home bank likely charges 2–3% foreign transaction fees plus poor exchange rates. Travel cards fix this.
| Card | ATM fees | Exchange rate | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | 2 free/month, then small fee | Mid-market rate | Best overall for France |
| Revolut | Free up to limit/month | Mid-market (weekdays) | Multiple currencies |
Wise — Best Travel Card for France
Real mid-market exchange rate, no foreign transaction fees. Saves 3–5% vs regular bank cards across France and the EU.
Get Wise Card →Revolut — Multi-Currency Travel Card
Free ATM withdrawals up to a monthly limit, great for the Eurozone and beyond. Perfect companion to Wise.
Get Revolut Card →🛡️ Travel Insurance
France has excellent (and expensive) private healthcare. EU citizens use the EHIC/GHIC card, but everyone else needs travel insurance — especially for the Alps (skiing), the Riviera, and city trips.
EKTA — Travel Insurance for France
Covers medical emergencies, trip interruption, lost luggage, and more. Affordable coverage for Europe.
Get Travel Insurance →📱 Staying Connected — eSIM
Skip roaming fees with an eSIM that works across France and the entire EU. Set up before you fly, connect on landing.
Airalo — France & EU eSIM from €4
Works across France and all EU countries. Install before your flight, activate on landing. No roaming fees.
Get Airalo eSIM →✈️ Flights
Aviasales — Compare Flights to France
Find the cheapest flights to Paris, Nice, Lyon & Marseille. Flexible-date calendar shows the cheapest days.
Search Flights →📋 Visa — ETIAS (New for 2026)
From 2026, visa-exempt travelers (US, UK, Canada, Australia) need ETIAS authorization to enter France and the Schengen Area. It costs €7, is valid 3 years, and you apply online before travel. EU citizens don't need it. Apply at the official ETIAS website — beware of scam sites charging extra.
📱 Essential Apps
- SNCF Connect — train tickets and schedules
- Flixbus / BlaBlaCar — cheap buses and ridesharing
- Citymapper — city navigation (Paris, Lyon, Marseille)
- Google Maps offline — download before you go
- Too Good To Go — discounted surplus food from bakeries and restaurants
- Bonjour — basic French goes a long way
🎫 Tours & Activities
Klook — Skip-the-Line Tickets
Louvre, Versailles, Eiffel Tower, day trips. Skip-the-line tickets for major French attractions.
Browse Tours →