Réunion Currency & Money Guide: Exchange, Cards, and Tips

Réunion uses the euro (€), the same currency as mainland France, and cards are accepted for most spending in towns, hotels, supermarkets, petrol stations, and established restaurants. A useful October 2026 reference is €1 ≈ S$1.43, or S$1 ≈ €0.70; rates change daily, so check your card issuer before travelling. Carry €100–150 in small notes for markets, snack vans, remote guesthouses, and mountain areas such as Mafate, where ATM access is unavailable. Tipping is optional because service is generally included. For better budget control, the Hello app tracks expenses in euros and Singapore dollars with automatic exchange-rate conversion.

Réunion uses the euro, so travellers from Singapore do not need to learn a separate island currency or exchange unusual overseas notes. The island uses the same euro banknotes and coins as France, including €5, €10, €20, €50, €100 and larger denominations. As a late-October 2026 reference, European Central Bank data listed approximately €1 = S$1.43, making S$100 about €69.90 and €50 about S$71.50. Your bank’s rate may differ after its spread and foreign-transaction fee.

The most practical Réunion money tip is to think in euros before buying. For example, a €12 lunch is roughly S$17, while a €60 car-fuel top-up is about S$86 at that reference rate. Exchange rates move daily, so use your bank or a reputable rate tracker rather than relying on an old screenshot. Hello’s multi-currency expense tracker can automatically convert euro purchases into Singapore dollars, helping you see the real cost of meals, tours, accommodation, and shared expenses without manual calculations.

Bring a small amount of euro cash if arriving late, but avoid exchanging a large sum at an airport or hotel desk unless convenience matters more than value. ATMs often provide a better rate than cash-exchange counters, subject to your bank’s fees.

The best place to obtain Réunion money is usually a bank ATM in a populated town, while exchanging cash at hotels, airports, or tourist counters is generally less competitive. ATM availability is good in major centres such as Saint-Denis, Saint-Pierre, Saint-Paul, Le Tampon, and coastal resort areas, but becomes less predictable in the Hauts and mountain villages. Plan withdrawals before driving into Cilaos, Salazie, or remote hiking regions.

Mafate deserves special attention: it has no road network and no ATM, so hikers should carry enough cash before entering the cirque. Mountain gîtes, small snack stalls, market vendors, and independent guides may accept cash only. A sensible buffer is €100–150 in mixed denominations, including €5, €10 and €20 notes; very large notes can be difficult for small businesses to change.

When an ATM asks whether to charge your Singapore card in euros or Singapore dollars, choose euros. This declines dynamic currency conversion, allowing your card network or bank to handle the exchange instead of the ATM operator. Check the displayed withdrawal fee, take the receipt, and use a bank-branded machine where possible. Make fewer, reasonably sized withdrawals rather than repeatedly taking out €20, because both local and Singapore bank fees can apply.

Visa and Mastercard work in most Réunion hotels, supermarkets, petrol stations, car-rental offices, pharmacies, and restaurants, while contactless payment is common in towns and tourist areas. Acceptance is less dependable at rural bakeries, market stalls, snack vans, small museums, gîtes, and independent tour operators, so carrying cash remains essential for a smooth island itinerary.

French card terminals may ask whether you want to pay in euros or your home currency. Select euros to avoid dynamic currency conversion. Contactless usually handles everyday purchases, but terminals may request a PIN for larger transactions or after several consecutive tap payments. Some small businesses also impose a minimum card purchase, commonly around €10–15, although policies vary.

Mobile wallets linked to Visa or Mastercard may work where the underlying card is accepted, but WeChat Pay and Japan’s PayPay are not the normal payment infrastructure for Réunion. Ask before ordering when visiting a small or remote business.

Tipping in Réunion is not required in ordinary situations because restaurant prices generally include service, so travellers can simply pay the stated bill. A small cash tip is appreciated for genuinely excellent service, but there is no strong expectation to add 10–20% as there may be in some destinations. Rounding up is usually the most natural approach.

For a coffee or casual snack, rounding up by €1–2 is generous. At a restaurant, leaving €2–5 for attentive service is appropriate, while a larger tip may suit an exceptional private guide, driver, or gîte host who prepared a meal or provided substantial help. Hotel housekeeping does not require a tip, although €2–5 per day is a thoughtful gesture for consistently good service. Taxi drivers do not expect a fixed percentage; rounding up the fare is enough.

Pay attention to the bill before adding anything. If a service charge is already shown, an additional tip is optional. Cash can be preferable because the person who served you may not always receive a card tip directly. Avoid feeling pressured by a digital tipping screen: in Réunion, declining an optional gratuity is socially acceptable.

A helpful Réunion tipping rule is: reward effort, not obligation. Keep a few euro coins and small notes accessible, particularly during hikes, market visits, and stays in rural gîtes. Record shared tips in Hello so friends can split them fairly across currencies.

The short answer to most Réunion money questions is simple: use euros, pay by card where practical, carry cash for remote areas, and reject unexpected currency conversion. These habits cover the island’s main payment risks without requiring complicated preparation.

What currency does Réunion use? The euro (€), just like mainland France. Singapore travellers should compare purchases using the live SGD–EUR rate rather than a fixed mental conversion.

Can I use Singapore dollars? Usually not. Exchange them before spending or withdraw euros from a reputable ATM. Shops generally do not accept foreign cash for everyday purchases.

Are ATMs easy to find? They are common in larger towns but much less available in highland and hiking areas. Withdraw before visiting Cilaos, Salazie, or Mafate.

Is tipping compulsory? No. Service is usually included; round up or leave a few euros only when service deserves recognition.

What scams should I watch for? Be cautious of unsolicited help at ATMs, people asking to “assist” with card insertion, hidden exchange-rate markups, and merchants presenting a Singapore-dollar amount without clearly showing the euro total. Shield your PIN, inspect the machine, and keep receipts. If a terminal offers an unclear conversion, cancel and ask to pay in euros.

Should I carry a backup card? Yes. Keep one card separately from your wallet and notify your bank about travel. Hello can import receipts or bank statements and categorise spending, making suspicious or duplicate charges easier to spot.

The easiest way to save money in Réunion is to combine card payments for larger bookings with planned cash withdrawals, self-catered meals, and a live budget that includes fuel, activities, and shared costs. Prices vary by season and location, but a budget-conscious traveller might allow roughly €8–15 for a casual lunch, €15–30 for a restaurant main meal, and €2–4 for a bakery breakfast in 2026. Remote excursions and organised tours can cost considerably more.

Choose supermarkets and local markets for picnic supplies before scenic drives or hikes. Buying water, fruit, sandwiches, and snacks in town is usually cheaper than relying on beach concessions or isolated mountain stops. Compare petrol stations before filling up, and confirm whether a rental-car station is staffed; unattended pumps may reject some foreign cards or require a usable PIN.

Use these practical savings habits:

• Withdraw a planned amount in town instead of paying repeated ATM fees.
• Keep €5–20 notes for small purchases and avoid losing money through poor change.
• Ask whether accommodation includes breakfast, parking, taxes, or cleaning fees.
• Split rental-car fuel, groceries, tolls, and activities immediately with Hello’s multi-currency expense-splitting tools.
• Scan paper receipts with Hello’s AI receipt scanner, even when receipts are in French.
• Import a bank statement later to reconcile spending and identify foreign-transaction fees.

For connectivity, buy and activate an eSIM from Hello before departure so maps, banking alerts, translation, and expense tracking work as soon as you arrive. Hello offers plans for 200+ countries, with live pricing and instant activation.