ATM choice--at CDG versus in Paris

I haven't used an ATM at CDG, so I can't say whether you'd encounter different fees there. But if you have enough cash to get into Paris, I'd suggest waiting to use an ATM in the city, where you'll have more choices and time and not be dealing with luggage.

Look for a staffed branch of a major bank near where you're staying. Not a free-standing commercial ATM in a store or such. A bank ATM is likely to have lower fees. Being at a staffed bank branch means you can talk to them if the machine eats your card or you have some other problem, and also break large bills if the machine gives them to you. Many bank ATMs are either inside the branch or in a little vestibule where you can deal with it away from other people.

BTW, your assumption about RER safety is correct as far as your personal safety, but the RER from the airport is notorious for pickpockets looking for exhausted travelers coping with bags. This is a time to be aware of your surroundings, try not to look lost, and keep your money and valuables in a money belt, neck wallet, inside pocket, or somewhere else secure. I'm not trying to discourage you from the RER, it's the fastest cheapest way to get into town for most. But not without theft risk. Perhaps that's another reason to hold off the ATM till you get settled in the city.

In many tourist areas, there are two kinds of ATM's--bank ATM's and non-bank ATM's (like Travelex.) You'll get the better exchange rate if you stick to bank ATM's. And don't think about using an American Express ATM, as they're not a bank.

We'll get money in the airports when we can find a bank ATM.
Last time I checked on my Wells Fargo ATM card, they charge $5.00 to withdraw funds in Europe plus a 3% discount on the exchange rate--excessive charges. I now use a credit union ATM card that has no use fees and gives me full value for my exchange.

And I can save the $5 with Bank of America if I go to a BNP Paribas. But since they also take a 3% vig for CEO Moynihan, I also have a credit union account with 0% Foreign Transaction Fees.

The hard part of the ride in is sometimes the line to buy a ticket. If there's a machine with no line higher up in the terminal, try that for the train ticket. Otherwise you might have to buy a loose ticket from a tout and wonder if it will work or not. The ride is safer than any transit in the US, if your wallet is not in a pickable pocket.

Rick has excellent advice on these issues in his guidebooks, even old ones in the library. Also try his free website.

You can also buy your RER ticket into the city at a Tourist Information desk in the airport. They do tack on a bit of a service fee (maybe a euro or so), but it can be worth it in order to avoid the lines at the ticket counter. I've never waited in line at the TI desk.

For safety's sake we always get Euros At the first European airport on our trip. We then go into the ladies and men's room and put most of the cash in our moneybelts. RER feels totally safe that way. Actually the way into Paris is not through the well to do areas. I think it is wise to hide cash in a safe place.

Upon arriving CDG in June of this year, we found an ATM machine what was not connected to a private, rip-off type exchange service that were all over the place. We used an ATM debit card tied to a checking account at a local credit union here in Seattle. Respectable ATM machines do not charge any fees and our only cost was the 1% exchange fee charged by our credit union. Again, all respectable ATM machines will give you the current official exchange rate no matter where they are.

Charlie, note that the $5 fee referred to has nothing to do with respectable or slutty ATM's. It's a placeholder fee for fixed, per transaction fees levied by many, many American banks. Not even the Network, but the home BANK.

If your bank charges per withdrawal get a better bank. We have a local bank that charges just the 1% conversion fee (not add ons as most American banks do) and no withdrawal charge. It also reimburses us for fees paid at commercial ATMs.

In Paris we like to use the ATMs at the post offices because they dispense small bills -- 20s and 10s rather than 50s. In Russia we found ATMs often dispenses 500 Ruble notes which were a real pain to use. IN Paris many of the machines dispense 50s which are not terrible but also not very welcome for small transactions.

janettravels44
www.janettravels.wordpress.com

We had zero euros upon our arrival in Paris a month ago, and used an ATM in the airport. The exchange rate ended up being worse than any other ATM we used on the trip and it cost us $40 more for the same amount of Euros (300 I believe) than the 5 or so other times we took out money. So I would wait until you get to the city since you said you have enough!

If you find you must use an airport ATM for euros for transport into Paris, take only what you need for that day. 300 is about 200 too much and the extra cost would pay for a decent lunch, or at least a bottle of good wine.

I arrive with 100-150 euros .. very easy to get those at my bank here in Victoria .. I understand some folks apparently have banks that have to order it.. but here.. I can walk into most of my banks branches and easily buy foreign currency. I sometimes have some left over from previous trips too. I never have to worry about the airport ATM being broken or a long line at it .. I can just arrive and go.

I do not use airport ATMs.. I am tired and just want to get to my hotel or apartment.

I like to get rid of all my "stuff"( luggage etc) and then go out and find an ATM ,, easy to do since flights from westcoast always seem to arrive in Paris in the morning.

The person who got a terrible rate at CDG probably used the Travelex ATMs--which I haven't seen lately but could still be there. HSBC has a monopoly on bank ATMs at CDG. They work fine and don't charge a horrendous rate. They seem to be everywhere, at least in Terminal 2 where I usually land.

I'm with Pat, why take the chance of not finding a working ATM or only a shady one? Show up with 100 euros in your pocket and get more on the ground as needed.

It is 2015 after all, there are lots of ways to get money before a trip.