My brother is flying to Paris tomorrow. Are there ATM machines at the Paris airports. what has been your most recent experience for the best way to get Frech francs. Thanks

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DtG

Visa has a map giving the location of ATM's at the airport, they say there are three of them. It's not very detailed though:
http://www.visa.com/pd/atm/n_degaulle.html

Even if they can't find an ATM (we did, but I don't remember where it was, but it wasn't hard to locate), they could change some money and use an ATM someplace else later.

We had no trouble using ATM's when we were in France.

I've used an ATM at CDG and think it is definately not only convenient but the most favorable way to exchange money, especially if your bank doesn't charge a fee for using ATMs outside the US, which mine does not.

There are several ATMs at Roissy (all terminals) and at Orly.

Make sure your brother has the right "PIN" for international cash withdrawals (it's a four digit code) - only four digit PIN codes work here.

When I arrived via AA at Terminal 2 (?) there was an ATM right next to the exchange bureau. I definitely recommend them over the 1 hr wait I had to endure. I guess it was shift change and you need to know that you are entering France - land of strikes and unions http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif


Digression:

Don't get me wrong, I am strongly pro-union as long as it does not lead to unnecessary deterioration of customer service but benefits the employees and the customers. I could not see many Paris attractions recently on a family vacation because of the public sector employee strikes. Did have fun though and would most definitely return with the family again.

I had a citi bank charge(! not a Credit Card) card.
Had problems until citi told me to press
SAVINGS-Account not CHECKING-Account, when asked at the ATM.

Tell your brother to leave the French coins in France - from 1-1-2002 they have the Euro and
"old coins" become almost useless.
On my next trip to Europe I am going to dump my "old" Austrian Schilling, German Marks,
Italian Lira etc.

Originally posted by USAFAN:
Tell your brother to leave the French coins in France - from 1-1-2002 they have the Euro and "old coins" become almost useless.


While Euro notes and coins go into circulation January 1st 2002, the local currencies will still be legal tender, and won't be withdrawn until July 1st 2002. After this period, the respective central banks have committed to continue to exchange local currency for euros.

Thanks Conrad, did not know this.
I will dump my money anyhow at my next trip;
I always kept some coins, notes for the next trip.

There are several well-placed Union Banc de Paris (i think that's the correct name) ATMs throughout the different Terminal 2 sections (2C, 2D etc.). Look for grey cabinets, plainly markeed.

Also, there's a a very handy ATM (never a line) in the open area that is at the entrance point to the RER and TVG trains (I used this one 5 days ago). When you walk over from any of the Terminal 2 arrival areas, you go to the lower level (two short escalator levels down from the entrance to the Sheraton hotel). On one side is the RER/SNCF ticket office and a newsstand - the ATM is on the opposite wall, on the opposite side of the esclaltors (maybe 200 feet away).

Conrad: While in the EU last week, I read an article that stated that, while the various central banks have a formal commitment to exchange the old currencies for Euros until the end of 2004, it is speculated that the date will be extended "indefinitely". What the article did not detail was any prodecure for such exchanes (it's entirely possible that the procedures are still to be worked out).