France - Currency and tipping

What is the local currency?

The currency of France is the Euro €.

Should I change money before I go?

It’s up to you whether you change money before your trip. You may get a better exchange rate, but there are plenty of ATMs available in all the locations on your trip. Your Pack Leader will also be able to help you exchange money at an authorized exchange house if required.

How much should I budget per day for extras?

It’s up to you how much money you budget for each day as you know your spending habits better than we do, however, it’s worth bearing in mind that both Paris and the French Riviera can be quite expensive areas. 

A bottle of wine often costs around €30 at a nice restaurant and you can expect to pay around €25 for lunch at a beachside restaurant, although there are often cheaper alternatives available. You may want to put a budget of around €50 per day aside for drinks, lunches and souvenirs, but this is your decision.

Is it customary to tip?

A tip of around $5 USD per day for the Pack Leader would be appreciated but is not compulsory. Many Flashpackers choose to keep a kitty and give this to the Pack Leader at the end of the trip.

For restaurants and bars in France, it's customary to tip around 10% but this alters with the level of service you have received. In Monaco, it is normal to tip 15% but this is at your discretion.