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CDG taxi paid with credit card

I will be arriving in Paris on a Sunday early morning. This is my first trip to Europe and I'm traveling solo. I won't have any Euros until I can get to an ATM so I was thinking of taking a taxi that accepts credit cards to my hotel located in the 8th Arr. I'm not familiar with customs and all that that requires. After customs, how do I get to the taxi stand where someone will flag me a taxi that accepts credit cards? Is there a specific name of this taxi stand?

Posted by
3580 posts

Look for an ATM in the airport. I used one as I was walking toward passport control at CDG.

Posted by
1178 posts

Get euros from atm in airport....my experience with a taxi driver that did not know how to program the card machine to accept an American credit card is now hilarious as I look back at it...it was not then...get the atm euros...and play safe. There should be plenty of signs directing you to the taxi stand. Suggest you have written down the destination so the taxi driver will be sure to understand. Name, address, etc. of the hotel.

Posted by
3200 posts

I paid for all my taxis in Sweden with a chip and signature card and they were thrilled. One said he'd never had an American charge the taxi before, he was surprised. We charge taxis in Boston as well. I can't imagine Paris, France is behind, as we are the ones falling behind. All the legitimate taxis were outfitted with charge card machines.
It's so much easier and more secure than cash. At worst, if you can't find a taxi that can charge the trip you can always then go back into the terminal and find an ATM, but I can't imagine you'd have a problem. Or order a car ahead of time so you pay via the internet. But I'll admit, I tend to bring a few of the local currency with me to be on the safe side because I hate hunting for ATMs, especially for peace of mind when I went solo. However, I imagine this will change.

Posted by
9462 posts

Paying with credit card is not that normal in taxis in Paris. Not that you won't EVER find a taxi with a credit card terminal, but it's definitely not the norm.

Posted by
10344 posts

Don't get in a taxi at CDG assuming the driver will accept a credit card, especially an American card without the European chip & pin technology. Be ready to pay in cash (euros).

Posted by
112 posts

Thank you all for your replies. I'll see if I can find some money exchange at Nashville airport. I intended to look for an atm at CDG, I just want another option. Also, I see that Air France has a shuttle to Etoille, so that's something to consider too.

Posted by
10344 posts

There are ATM's at CDG. And for help, look for the information kiosks marked with circular red signs with an "i", those people will tell you (in English) where the ATM's are and will also sell you a Paris Museum Pass, give you a map, and other helpful things.

Posted by
8293 posts

The Air France transfer to Etoile is not free of charge, in case that 's what you are thinking.

Posted by
4324 posts

The concierge at our Paris hotel warned/suggested to us that we have enough cash for the taxi to CDG. So apparently yes, credit cards don't always work with them. Of course.

Posted by
14482 posts

Hi,

It's better to have ample cash on you for the taxi ride, even though you see the Visa/Mastercard logo on the cab door, which leads one to assume logically that this particular cab would accept a credit card. But, what if the driver says at the end of the ride that the hand "gadget" he uses to swipe your card is out of order...maybe true, or may be a ploy to get you to pay with cash. What then?

That happened to me once after the ride to CDG from the hotel ...no use arguing, so I paid him in cash. Another time this happened at a restaurant in Strasbourg. Then I was with a lady friend who could take on this waiter in his own language, French; we had the distinct feeling we were being lied to regarding his hand "gadget" out of order, etc. She told him to call his supervisor. He showed up to show this waiter how to use the "gadget" with an American credit card.