France - Is it better to buy Euros at a bank in Paris?

Will I get a better exchange rate buying Euros in Paris or should I just do it at one of the airport (SFO) currency exchange kiosks? I missed my window to do it at a bank here - for whatever reason the BofA currency exchange closed at 1400.

Thanks!

ATMs are best.

ATMs are best.

So you get a better rate via ATMs?

Will I get a better exchange rate buying Euros in Paris or should I just do it at one of the airport (SFO) currency exchange kiosks? I missed my window to do it at a bank here - for whatever reason the BofA currency exchange closed at 1400.

Thanks!



If you have a checking account with Bank of America, you can withdraw euros at any of BNP Paribas ATMs without foreign ATM fee. IIRC, there was no currency conversion fee as well.

So you get a better rate via ATMs?
Yes, definately. You see the BofA/BNP Paribas note above....

I have not experienced bank-owned ATMs in France (and most other European countries) charging a fee to use their ATM, but your bank may charge a fee. I did see some weird/new things in Spain on a recent trip...airport ATMs were charging a fee...and some ATMs presented an option to convert your withdrawal to local currency instead of hitting your account in EUR -- I always decline this conversion to USD in foreign countries as it is always a terrible rate (some shops attempt to do the same for credit card transactions).

My bank does not (ING Direct) charge foreign ATM fees, but if yours does, withdraw a larger amount to minimize the fee (e.g. 300 EUR or 400 EUR - be sure your daily withdrawal limit will permit such).

Even "foreign ATM" fees may be a lesser injury than that caused by the skewed exchange rates offered by exchange kiosks / bueeaux de change (especially at airports). Check the rates at SFO vs. what xe.com represents and what the commercial rate is used by banks.

If you have a checking account with Bank of America, you can withdraw euros at any of BNP Paribas ATMs without foreign ATM fee. IIRC, there was no currency conversion fee as well.

+1

I always use BNP and other members of the Global ATM Alliance. Great feeling to be able to take out $10 of cash with no fees! ^

Thanks all, for the information. I ended up getting a few hundred dollars changed at SFO at a poor rate when compared to xe. I'll be withdrawing the rest from ATMs. I bank with First Republic and they reimburse all ATM fees worldwide.

The best place I've found for exchanging currency in Paris was at an obscure place in the Galerie du Claridge on the Champs Elysees. I didn't check to see if it's still there this past trip, but it has consistently had very favorable exchange rates and, I believe, no fees. I have a photo of it from a few years ago in this piece (http://www.chainreaction.com/eurotrip05.htm)on my website.

In any event, there is no rocket science involved in exchange rates. You want to know just one thing. I give you $300 (or whatever), and I get back how many Euros? The differences can be astounding. Make sure you have this conversation before you hand over any money, because all transactions are one-way. Once you slide the money to them, it's too late to back out.

The best place I've found for exchanging currency in Paris was at an obscure place in the Galerie du Claridge on the Champs Elysees. I didn't check to see if it's still there this past trip, but it has consistently had very favorable exchange rates and, I believe, no fees. I have a photo of it from a few years ago in this piece (http://www.chainreaction.com/eurotrip05.htm)on my website.

In any event, there is no rocket science involved in exchange rates. You want to know just one thing. I give you $300 (or whatever), and I get back how many Euros? The differences can be astounding. Make sure you have this conversation before you hand over any money, because all transactions are one-way. Once you slide the money to them, it's too late to back out.

Good info on that page of yours. Redwood City, Climate best by government test! I used to live there and remember Chain Reaction.

Thank you, Mike!

i got good rates at banks, and better at the post office and the rail station. unless you are trading for €500 or 1000, don't worry and just make the transaction. 1% of €1000 is €10.

Thanks all, for the information. I ended up getting a few hundred dollars changed at SFO at a poor rate when compared to xe. I'll be withdrawing the rest from ATMs. I bank with First Republic and they reimburse all ATM fees worldwide.

First Republic here as well. Have used ATMs in some 20 countries in the past couple of years... an excellent exchange rate on each occasion.

I had no problem finding an ATM walking from the CDG T2-A arrivals exit from formalities going to the gate for the Air France Les Cars to the etoile. Certainly better rates than the deal offered by Travelex at the LAX TBIT - one look at their rates and I decided to pass them up. E.g.

Today's rate: $1,000.00 USD = 705.09 EUR
Travelex online rate = 657.40 EUR ("no fees":Travelex::no profit:duty free)

First Republic here as well. Have used ATMs in some 20 countries in the past couple of years... an excellent exchange rate on each occasion.

i got good rates at banks, and better at the post office and the rail station. unless you are trading for €500 or 1000, don't worry and just make the transaction. 1% of €1000 is €10.I didn't realize that post offices exchanged currency. How common is this? I know they very kindly make change (was in La Grave and needed money for the Laverie/Laundromat). And train stations too? This is new to me! Thanks for any info you can provide on this-

ATM always results in the best net exchange rate (including fees) or, better yet, charge your expenses with a Capital One card, with NO foreign transaction fees.

Note: La Poste in France basically can do everything a bank can do...

I didn't realize that post offices exchanged currency. How common is this? I know they very kindly make change (was in La Grave and needed money for the Laverie/Laundromat). And train stations too? This is new to me! Thanks for any info you can provide on this-

I've never seen this at a Poste branch. It's true that there are ATMs at Poste branches because there is a banking side to La Poste, but I've never seen actual cash inside a La Poste bank (finding a bank with cash in it can be difficult in France).

Some La Poste branches used to do currency exchange, with sometimes not so good rates. My local La Poste certainly has cash in it (more modest neighborhood, lots of cash deposits/withdrawals and Western Union wires).

Definitely hit the ATM at the airport. Exchange kiosk's are so 60's....

You should find plenty of ATM's throughout the city as well. Pretty much anyone will do the trick.

The ATM's at La Poste are also set up to give you smaller bills. If you have 300 euros in 50's it's nearly like being broke.

If you have 300 euros in 50's it's nearly like being broke.So true. I always use 50s whenever I can to get change (replacing small bills at restaurants from a group paying individually, at Monoprix, etc.).

The ATM's at La Poste are also set up to give you smaller bills. If you have 300 euros in 50's it's nearly like being broke.

The BNP ATM's offer you a choice of what bill types you want. You can request small bills.

Another vote for ATMs. I've used them in 10+ countries and have always been satisfied. On one my first trips to Europe, I approached a kiosk at the airport, looked at the rates and asked about fees. I giggled a bit at the response and figured I'd be better off just using my card the entire time. Once I figured out that I did need cash, I withdrew from the bank down the street, a little simple math, checked my account online to see if there were any fees and knew that was the best option then and in the future.

The ATM's at La Poste are also set up to give you smaller bills. If you have 300 euros in 50's it's nearly like being broke.

Crédit Agricole does, too, and Crédit Mutuel.

Société Générale ATMs default to 50-euro bills for large amounts. In that case the best thing to do is to request an amount where it will have to give you at least a couple of smaller bills (340, for example) to get you by until you can break the larger ones.

On Christmas Day, 2009, I was trying to find a working ATM, I was near Gare de l'Est, I started at the first machine I found and went in a 360 degree circle (going clockwise)--none of them (and I tried about a dozen) was working, the last machine I tried WAS working--had I gone counter-clockwise, I would have had success on the first try.:)