Transportation, currency and credit card questions

At the very top is the search box -- use it. Type in "key" words. These questions have been discussed dozen of times.

1. The cheapest and most convenient way to obtain local currency is a debit card at a bank owned ATM anywhere you find one. We always arrive with a hundred or so euro in our pocket so we don't need or have to find a working ATM.
   

2. Probably. You can pay for tickets with a credit card. Do you know for a fact that there is a train from CDG to Marals? I haven't checked a schedule. For 4, a taxi would be about the same.

3. Probably not since the card is for identification. But just get the pin so you have it. It can always serve as an emergency back up for a cash advance at an ATM should debit cards not work.

4. See number 1. We use cash for smaller items and credit card for large items like tickets and hotels. Some use a credit card for nearly everything. Your preference. Small vendors, street shops may not accept cards. Some stand alone machine such as toll roads, unattended gas stations, etc., often will not accept the American chip and signature card. Only a chip and pin card accepted in those situations so carry extra cash,

1. I locate an ATM is soon I have landed and gone through immigration. There may be one in the room where you wait for luggage to come off the carousel.
2. You best deal with 4 people is to take a taxi. Make sure you go to the official taxi line and it is a flat rate of 50 EUR to the Marais. Don't listen to anybody going "psst, Buddy. Need a cab?" They WILL take you for a ride.
3. You may need a PIN, give it a try, but you can retrieve them at the ticket window as well with your card.
4. Generally a bank owned ATM.

Probably need to expand the answer to #4 since I just re-read it. All fees associated with using a debit or credit are established by your card issuer. So contact your card issuer to find out what fees are charged. There are lots of cards both debit and credit that do not charge fees and many that only charge a very small percentage -- maybe 1%. If you have time check around. When using either a debit or credit card, the actual exchange rate is get by the network (Plus or Cirrus) and it is the same regardless of where the card is used. We tend to use cash most of the time. We just find it easier to use cash but others will disagree. It is what we do. Sometimes hotels will give cash discounts of 5% to even 10%. Ask. If they don't then use a credit card.

1. Get some Euros when you get off the plane at CDG. Keep your eyes open and you'll come across an ATM on your way through to baggage claim.
2. On a Sunday morning, take a cab. There will be little traffic and there is a flat rate to central Paris. With luggage, you'll be glad you did. There will probably be guys standing inside the terminal offering taxis...keep on walking. Go to the taxi queue for licensed cabs that won't rip you off.
3. If your card doesn't work in a ticket machine, you can just go into the ticket office. I've had that happen once or twice and it's no big deal. Just allow time in case there's a line. I can't remember if the machines needs a pin but I don't think so.
4. I usually try to use a BNP Paribas ATM, Credit Agricole, or Society Generale...these are big banks who will have good rates on cash withdrawals. I also try to go when the bank is open...I've heard stories of ATMs eating cards but in hundreds of withdrawals from them in Paris I've never had that happen. Still...you never know. You do need some cash occasionally but most places take cards. It is helpful to have a credit card that does not have international purchase fees...I have a Chase Sapphire that has no fees for purchases overseas. It has a high APR for ATM withdrawals though so I have a debit Mastercard for that.

1. Most of the ATMs at the airport are owned by Travelex. These machines are located throughout the airport, some even inside baggage claim be before the Customs exit. Many do not trust what hidden fees Travelex may be charging them (though I have no evidence that Travelex charges any fees at all at their airport ATMs) so for the skeptic, there are two HSBC ATMs in terminal 2 found next to Baggage du Monde and just across from the Sheraton Hotel. It is rather easy to obtain euros at the airport using an ATM.

2. A ticket on the RER B into Paris costs 10.30€ and includes any required métro connection to reach your destination as long as you remain within the transportation network. There are two train (RER) stations at CDG, one in terminal 2 and a second at Roissypôle serving terminals 1 & 3. Keep your ticket until exiting your destination station.

3. You should be able to pickup prepaid tickets at any SNCF kiosk. However, ticket purchase at these kiosks generally requires your using a chipped credit card with PIN. If you have a problem at the kiosk, any service or ticket window, at either a SNCF boutique or station, can issue your tickets as long as you have the same credit card used for ticket purchase.

4. Use French bank ATMs for free withdrawals. Look for BNP, la Poste, LCL, or HSBC. Any charge or fee for using these ATMs will come from your card issuing bank. Exchange rates are determined by the entity making the exchange (such as Maestro or Sirrus), not the ATM bank which only issues euros.

41 by cab for your group including lugging bags up and down stairs on the metro, being vulnerable to pickpockets while exhausted from travel and then having to find your lodging on foot. You don't say what your metro station is so not clear exaactly where you would transfer but if it is Chatelet Les Halles that one is confusing and complex; Chatelet metro along has over 20 exits. I'd spend 50 Euro and take a cab straight to the hotel or apartment on arrival.

You can buy local train tickets with a US chip/sig credit card for very low limits. I am not sure if buying 4 tickets to Paris would exceed the limit but if it does, do two transactions. Just ignore it when it asks for a PIN and the process will complete. I have no trouble buying a carnet of local tickets for 14.90 or charging a Navigo D for 22.80 but could not charge the ND for a month for 75 E. so the limit is somewhere in between 22 and 75. A cab is still the better choice for 4 people with luggage.

Take a taxi ( from official taxi rank ) SET price will be 50 euros - door to door - taking the RER and likely having to transfer to the metro is not worth saving 9 euros .

The RER is fine - I’ve taken it in from airport many times , but when I used to take my kids , or when their are more than 3 people , or too much luggage , or someone elderly , the taxi is the way to go . Remember , it is a SET price , 50 euros to anywhere on right bank , 55 to left bank . Anyone who puts the meter on , or tells you another price , is a con .

Although you may not encounter it in Paris, an increasing number of bank ATMs in Europe are charging fees. Read all ATM screens and cancel the transaction if you see that you are going to be charged a fee. Then try a different bank's ATM.

The other thing to remember is that if you are ever offered the opportunity to perform a transaction in dollars rather than in the local currency--whether at an ATM or when making a credit card purchase--you should decline that suggestion. If you perform a financial transaction in dollars, you are allowing the bank or merchant/restaurant/hotel to choose whatever conversion rate it likes, and it will be distinctly disadvantageous to you.

I highly recommend reading the travel tips linked from the side panel here. They can save you money and prevent your becoming a victim of a scam.

While there is nothing wrong with waiting to get euros upon arrival, we prefer to arrive with at least a hundred or two euro in hand. It is so much more convenient to not have to mess with getting it first thing upon arrival while jet lagged and on unfamiliar ground. That alone makes it worth a little added cost incurred in getting euros from your local bank before the trip. And the added cost is really miniscule compared to the overall cost of the entire trip. Just something to consider.

1. Arriving to CDG on a Sunday morning, what is the most efficient (time and best value) way to get Euros, in airport or near our
   accomodations in the Marais?

2. Planning on train for four of us from airport (CDG to Marais). Is this most efficient (time and best value $). Is this one train to
   Paris and then another within Paris? Can we purchase tickets without
   cash?

I have lumped these two together to make this easy for you. You can buy your RER B tickets with your credit card at the many ticket machines at your disposal. You can do the ticket buying in English. Because of that, you can get cash from a bank cash machine close to your hotel in the Marais. There is no reason to be bilked by your local US bank by getting €s in advance at home. I have been traveling to European cities alone since I am in my 20s and have never gotten foreign cash while still in the US. I am 49. I don't have money to burn.

Best kind of ATM machines to use for exchange rate and other fees? Do we need to plan for most purchased to be with cash? I know I get an
extra charge for international charges so this might be best?

See if your bank has a relationship with one of the French banks that can get you a cheaper to no transaction fees. Bank of America has one with BNP Parisbas and I have an account in which I am charged no fees, no percentages, nothing. Look into credit unions too.

More info to assist you:

What to know about using debit cards for international travel

Best Banks for International Travel 2019

Foreign ATM and Debit Card Transaction Fees by Bank

The other thing to remember is that if you are ever offered the
opportunity to perform a transaction in dollars rather than in the
local currency--whether at an ATM or when making a credit card
purchase--you should decline that suggestion. If you perform a
financial transaction in dollars, you are allowing the bank or
merchant/restaurant/hotel to choose whatever conversion rate it likes,
and it will be distinctly disadvantageous to you.

Really important!