Money Exchange

We arrive at CDG on a United flight, where is the best place to exchange money? Are there money tellers in the airport that will take US dollars? ATM machines?

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I recommend that you change $50-100 in CA before arriving and then hit the atms once you get to the city. I know that the rates are not as good as an atm, but for a small amount it won%26#39;t make that much of a difference and it will be better than the airport xchange. This way you won%26#39;t have to worry if there are atm problems at CDG.

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You can wait until you arrive at your Paris airport to withdraw an amount of Euros from an ATM there but this assumes that you can find the machines easily and that there will be no problem with either the machine or your transaction. These problems are relatively unusual (not rare) occurences...but they do happen. It%26#39;s also worth noting that the US electronic banking systems usually go off-line every day for anywhere from 30 minutes, for routine up-dates and maintenance. This down-time usually occurs sometime between 02:00 and 4:00 AM EST. Given a six hour (later) time difference that%26#39;s between 08:00 and 10:00 AM in Paris. During one of these daily down times, your transaction may be refused for no particular reason. There are of course Bureau de Change at Paris airports where you can exchange dollars for Euros.

You best and safest bet is to purchase $100 or so worth of Euros from a Bureau de Change at your US departure airport before leaving. Yes, the exchange rate is lousy...but on such a small amount, it scarcely matters. This way you arrive in Paris with sufficient %26#39;..arrival/convenience..%26#39; cash (enough for airport transfer fares, tips, sundries) in hand and all ready to roll---without having to locate an ATM or worry about any electronic problems. Once you arrive at your hotel in Paris, you can serch out the nearest local ATM%26#39;s to your hotel, if you require more Euros.

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Thanks- I%26#39;ll take your suggestion and exchange money at SFO.