We're flying to London-Gatwick and taking the EuroStar to Paris after a couple of days. We'd planned to purchase some Euros at an ATM at Gare du Nord, but we just read in another Rick Steves post that the ATMs in Gare du Nord are broken. Can anyone suggest where to acquire some Euros before we arrive in Paris? Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9220 posts
How long ago did you read that post? I doubt that an ATM will stay broken for long periods of time. Especially in a large train station. My guess is that there are more than one available. You can always buy a few euro at the exchange in the airport after you land. The rate won't be good, but it is nice to have a bit of cash on you.
Posted by
Yorkshire, UK
264 posts
In addition to a lot of the places already mentioned you can also try the Holiday specialists like Thomas Cook or Thomson.
Finally I do think some airports over here have ATM's that dispense Euro's.
What the rates are who knows. But they are options so that you can at least have 20 or 30 Euro to get to a destination or something like that
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
Sometimes in busy places like airports or train statiosn the ATM's might be out of money early in the morning-especially on Mondays. They may not get refilled until around noon or so. If you must get Euros before you arrive in Paris, they can be had at Gatwick Airport and St. Pancras Station.
Posted by
Atlanta, Georgia
135 posts
I usually order some Euros from my bank - they arrive at the bank via Fed Ex within a couple of days. I specify the denominations to make sure they send tens and twenties for cabs and small purchases to begin with. You can most likely change your leftover pounds to Euros at a bank in London; you probably know that US banks don't repurchase foreign coins only bills.
Posted by
Bristol, UK
619 posts
You can get euro at hundreds of places in London - banks, bureaux de change, travel agents, post offices and some branches of Marks & Spencers, W.H. Smiths, and other stores. The exchange rate may vary, and it will be expensive if you try to change dollars into euro, since you will pay two lots of conversion fees. You may find a place in London where you can get euro from an ATM, but I do not know if that is possible with an American ATM card.