Currency exchange tips in France

If you "exchange it all at once" will that translate into carrying a large sum of cash?

Well, there are ATMS at the airport. But what I do is to buy about 100 euros before I leave. I pay a small premium for that convenience, but it's not too bad since the purchase is small.

Then use ATMs, which (as other have noted) are fast, easy, everywhere, and offer the best rate available.

In that context, I'm not sure what you mean by "exchange all at once."

I prefer to wait until I get to Europe and then use the first ATM machine I find at the airport to get cash. However, I bring an emergency stash of a few hundred dollars which I keep in my money belt and plan to bring home with me unspent. If I couldn't find a working ATM, I would use some of my dollars to buy euros at an exchange bureau at the airport. Buying currency in the country where it is used always gives a better rate than buying it at home.

Read what Rick Steves says on the subject: www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/moneytip.htm.

I'm of the "get-em-when-you-get-there" philosophy. Using the ATM doesn't cost you the exchange rate unless your bank charges you something behind the scenes. Check with your bank. ATMs in Europe, especially airports, are about as prevalent as in the US.

The only time I got caught with this was when I had a layover in Copenhagen. They aren't on the Euro yet. I didn't want to get any non-Euros out of the ATM because I was spending my vacation in Germany and France.

Other than that unique situation, you shouldn't have any issued getting Euros when you get there.

Many have their own opinion - seems like 50/50 on bring a bit with you ahead of time - or wait for the airport. Im with the "bring some for day 1 & 2" crowd... I dont want to have to find an ATM at the airport when im just arriving. Althought im sure its not a problem - there is enough to do like find train/taxi etc!

Take 100-200 euros with you and an extra $100US bill in your money belt. BofA has the better rates vs AAA or Travelex - but try your bank. Pay an extra 5$ for the convenience. In the long run its a small amount. Then look for the big bank ATMs while youre out and about and get more later.

get money at ATM in airport. You will need it for
transportation . I always get at 500 Euros and pay cash for everything.except unexpected situations.

I would recommend exchanging enough to get you through 1 or 2 days in Paris, just in case you can't find an ATM machine, don't have time or your card doesn't work for whatever reason.
Make sure you alert your bank that you will be travelling overseas or they may freeze your card if they detect suspicious activity. I know there are certain ATMs one can use if they are a Bank of America customer that charges lower fees. Check with your bank.
If you do get Euros before heading to Paris, try to get them in lower denominations, like maybe 1 or 2 50-Euro-bills & the rest lower. They don't like the larger bills.
I usually use my debit card to withdraw money every 3 days or so & to use it as a credit card to pay for more expensive items like a 6-day museum pass or dinner.
Regardless, if you're going to an exchange booth, make sure you check out the fees. They'll get you every time.

I never take Euros to Europe (except the odd change I have laying around from last time) I will use the first ATM I find in the airport. I never take more then E50.

I have never had a problem using my card or finding an ATM in Paris or elsewhere in France. (I lived all over for 3 years drawing funds from a US account) Remember, unless your first stop is a farmers market, you can use your card for just about everything (just like a debit/credit). Metro ticket machines, restaurants, hotels, stores, buses tickets, train tickets, even in the taxi. My guess is you will find more options to pay with card in France than in the US.

Withdrawing cash via atm is much cheaper. I learned the hard way by doing what you are saying. I took about $400 USD with me and when I got to paris I exchanged it. Got a worse exchange rate than my/your bank would give compared to a withdrawal from an atm and paid a 16 Euro fee(almost $24) for the exchange. Just find out what atms to use in each european country. Your bank can tell you which will not charge you a fee(usually $1-$4).

I never arrive in any country without equivilent of about 100 euros in my pocket. I then hit ATM once I have checked into my hotel, that way I am not carrying alot of money on public transport to hotel, plus minding my luggage.
I only ever carry a days worth of cash on me at one time the rest I leave in the hotel safe. I take out about 3 or 4 days worth at a time.

We had a seven hour layover at CDG in September. We were on the way to Istanbul, so we were in the International Terminal. My plan was to hit the first ATM we saw, however, there were none. There was an American Express exchange window that was not open when we arrived at 12 noon. They eventually did open, and accepted a credit card for a cash advance, which is a very expensive way to go on a percentage basis, but not overwhelming when you are getting a relatively small amount of money.

There was also no place to sit, except the self service restaurant. The terminal is being remodeled, and the usual lounge area in the mezzanine was boarded off. Fortunately, the restaurant did accept credit cards. We could have survived the 7 hours without Euros, but it made my husband very nervous to have no money. We were ending the trip with a week in Belgium and Holland, so we knew we could use them then.

I definitely recommend taking some Euros with you, maybe 200, then using ATM's.

My experience and way of doing things closely parallels Breton Beat's. If arriving at CDG without cash, it is really not a problem. Many transportation services, including the RER train and metro, accept credit cards at the ticket windows (but not American cards at the automatic ticket dispensers).

I would NEVER exchange cash or travelers checks anywhere unless:
1-the ATMs are all down
2-I can't find a mode of transportation that accepts plastic.

Thanks everyone for all your advice. I travel next week so this has been really helpful. Now I just need to figure out the strike!