On a budget and looking for free ATMs in Monaco - Any top banks?
During my Monaco visit, I mainly withdrew at Société Générale ATMs. My Wise Visa worked fine with a €500 withdrawal limit and a €2 fee. BNP Paribas also worked well with my Revolut Mastercard. I only withdrew once since hotels, restaurants, and even taxis accepted card payments. Still, I kept €100 cash on hand for tips and street vendors. ATMs were easy to find, safe to use, and felt very similar to those in France. Monaco was one of the easiest stops for cash.
One issue in Monaco is that tourist-zone ATMs sometimes sneak in extra charges. My HSBC debit was hit with a €5 fee at a non-bank ATM on Boulevard des Moulins for only €200. Limits at real bank ATMs like Société Générale and BNP were much higher at €500. My advice: stick to bank branches, reject dynamic currency conversion, and only carry small amounts since almost everything in Monaco accepts cards. Overall, avoid independents, and you’ll save money.
I had no trouble withdrawing cash in Monaco. My Monzo Mastercard worked at BNP Paribas near the casino, allowing me to take out €500 in one go with just a €2 fee. Société Générale also worked with my Revolut Visa. Since Monaco is very card-friendly, I hardly needed cash, but I withdrew €100 for taxis and small cafés. Compared to some places in France, the ATM fees here were minimal, and the machines were modern with English options.
In Monaco, Société Générale, BNP Paribas, and Crédit Agricole are the main banks with ATMs. I used my Wise Visa at Société Générale in Monte Carlo, with a withdrawal limit of €500 and a €2 fee. BNP Paribas ATMs also worked with my Revolut Mastercard, offering the same limits. Independent ATMs in tourist areas should be avoided as they charge €4-5 per transaction. ATMs are widely available in Monte Carlo, so cash access isn’t an issue.