I looked at the CDG airport terminal website, and noticed it talked a lot about needing a chip credit card to buy tickets in the machines to get into Paris. Does anyone know if that is the only way to purchase the tickets to Paris, by credit card only. If so, can we purchase tickets using our credit cards at a ticket office. We also have an HSBC bank account, and using the bank machine in the airport will be helpful, does anyone know also, if it must have a chip in it to be able to use the card. Thank you!
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
You can use your nonchip card at the ticket window and in the ATM machines.
Posted by
OP
Abbotsford, BC, Canada
18 posts
Is that for regular debit cards as well
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32349 posts
Kim,
You'll need a "chip & PIN" credit card to purchase RER tickets at CDG (which is the method I used earlier this year), however I believe these also accept Euro cash and there should be change machines nearby.
While you can use a normal "magnetic stripe" credit card at the staffed ticket office, I've found that there's often a HUGE queue to buy tickets (depending on how many flights arrive at about the same time). While the automated ticket machines can also be busy, they're usually faster than waiting at the ticket office.
You might want to have a look at This Website which explains this well (including photos).
Happy travels!
Posted by
York, PA
300 posts
You can also use cash (coins) in the RER ticket macines at CDG, but it might not be likely that you'd have that much in change on you immediately upon arrival.
There may be change machines near the RER ticket machines, but since to my eye the French word for "paper money" (billet) is the same as the French word for "ticket" (billet) it may actually have been a ticket-changing machine...
Posted by
OP
Abbotsford, BC, Canada
18 posts
Does anyone also know if you can buy these train tix prior to arrival at CDG? I already have zones 1-3 purchased with my ParisPass, just wondering if I can save time by purchasing them online.
Posted by
San Francisco, California, USA
446 posts
You definitely have to have a debit card with a chip to use the ticket machines at CDG. Or, if you have Euro coins, they do accept those.
I was there two weeks ago, and I used Euro coins to buy a ticket to Paris. I did not see any machines that make change (from Euro bills to coins).
Unfortunately, my ticket got lost between the ticket machine and the RER fare gates, and I had to go back to the ticket office to buy another ticket. However, the ticket office was not very busy -- only a short wait.
It is a mystery what happened to my ticket. The ticket I picked up from the ticket machine did not work, and on examination by the ticket office, it was found to be a reduced fare (senior discount) ticket that had already been used a few days ago. For some reason, it was by the ticket machine. I think the ticket I bought must have come out of the machine somewhere else, but I didn't see it, and of course, upon returning to the ticket machine after going to the RER entrance, there was no ticket to be seen anywhere.
Those ticket machines are confusing, and it is easy get confused or distracted after a long flight (10 hours) from the States. Be careful.