How do I get Euro coins before my trip?

Sherri....how are you planning to get into Paris from the airport? Your biggest problem won't be lineups at the Metro station (yes, you can use coins at the ticket machines in Metro entrances), it'll be lineups at the RER stations getting into Paris from CDG. If your flight arrives at morning rush hour, or at the same time as a bunch of other overseas flights, the bottleneck is likely to be there. And the RER ticket machines won't accept U-S credit cards. If you don't have a problem at the RER station, then make sure you purchase both tickets, there and back. You can use the RER ticket to transfer to the Metro to get to Sacre Coeur, then back again to CDG, eliminating the need for purchasing any Metro ticket.

Go to the first store you see, buy a candy bar with the biggest bill you have, and you will have your coins. If your not in the mood for candy, buy a cup of coffee.

Sherri.. You can't use coins on the metro. When you enter the metro there is a booth and you can get tickets there. No long line. We alway get a carnet.. pronounced carnay.. a carnet is 10 tickets, but you can buy any number. You put the ticket in a machine with a turnstile and take the ticket with you. Keep it until you get to your destination, because they sometimes check tickets and if you throw yours away you could get fined. The metro is easy to use.

Thank you. I think that must be what my daughter was talking about. I wrote Metro by mistake. Do you think Sacre Coeur is doable in a 6 hour layover?

Although it sounds like from the prior posts above you won't need coins, if you're really set on getting some before you go, call your local AAA travel store. Mine sells "tip packs" that are low face amount bills and some coins. They came in two sizes. Just make sure to ask if they have coins before you buy.

Sherri....personally, no, I wouldn't do it. I don't like getting away from an airport when I'm awaiting a connecting flight. To me, too many things can go wrong on the journey to/from the airport for my peace of mind. I would assume about 1:30 from your gate to Sacre Coeur (assuming no big lineups at the RER) and the same back again...3 hours. If you are on a domestic European flight where you need to check in again, you should be at the desk about 90 minutes beforehand. Assuming you have luggage, you'll have to store and retrieve it as well. That leaves 90 minutes for Sacre Coeur, plus any other delays.

In US you can get euros at your local AAA.
They come in $100 pack and a few weeks ago
this bought 63 euros. Not the best way to
exchange, but simple if you want a few euros
in your pocket before you leave.

You do need coins to buy tickets for the RER from the machines since they do not take bills and they do not take our CC.
Personally if it is important to you to go to the SC then I would take a taxi, yes, ,it will be at least 100 euros round trip, but I am also one who says with only a 6 hour layover you are cutting it too close. Mind you, even with a taxi you don't want to get in a traffic jam. You could take the RER one way and taxi one way to save 1/2 the money and 1/2 the time.

Hi Sherri,

... years ago, we could get foreign coins at our International Airport bank offices. We haven't needed to do that in more recent years... But suggest you contact someone in banking at SeaTac and ask where you may acquire Euro coins and bills ...
bon chance! P

I just called AAA and they only provide 54 Euros for $100. That's a pretty darn high rate of exchange.