ATM near passport control in CDG terminal 2?
Oct 4th, 2015, 06:30 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 527
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ATM near passport control in CDG terminal 2?
We are flying Delta, and will land in Terminal 2. We will be met after baggage claim by a driver for our trip to town.
Are there ATM's in this area?
Thanks,
Barb
Are there ATM's in this area?
Thanks,
Barb
Oct 4th, 2015, 07:30 PM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't use the Travelex machines inside baggage claim as they charge extra fees. Wait until you see ATMs owned by banks. I know I used an HSBC machine that was in the area just before you go outside to catch a taxi. Your driver will know where the ATMs are.
Oct 4th, 2015, 08:06 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,969
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Non Travelex machines are outside the secure areas.
I have used Travelex machines inside the secure side at CDG. It "can" be used to avoid DCC scam - suggestion to charge your account in dollars with at least 6% additional hit. However, Travelex machine screens are very deceptively constructed. I am amazed that this is even allowed. The crucial buttons to click to avoid this DCC scam are physically shown smaller, dimmed (even though it is ACTIVE!) and described in cryptic language you have to really think. I found the "hidden" video game like button only when I got to just before "ok" button when it finally coughed out an astonishingly unfavorable exchange rate. I then back tracked the operation looking for where in the steps I needed to push this obscured button to avoid the DCC.
I have used Travelex machines inside the secure side at CDG. It "can" be used to avoid DCC scam - suggestion to charge your account in dollars with at least 6% additional hit. However, Travelex machine screens are very deceptively constructed. I am amazed that this is even allowed. The crucial buttons to click to avoid this DCC scam are physically shown smaller, dimmed (even though it is ACTIVE!) and described in cryptic language you have to really think. I found the "hidden" video game like button only when I got to just before "ok" button when it finally coughed out an astonishingly unfavorable exchange rate. I then back tracked the operation looking for where in the steps I needed to push this obscured button to avoid the DCC.
Oct 5th, 2015, 02:10 AM
#7
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you don't have to pay the driver immediately why don't you ask him to stop at a reputable bank machine a retrait when you get near your destination? Less confusion and less hassle than running all over the terminal and waiting in line.
Oct 5th, 2015, 03:41 AM
#8
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If I were a taxi driver asked to stop at an ATM before continuing on to a destination, I would have one of two reactions:
1. If the meter is running. I would say, "take your time!"
2. If it were a fixed price job like CDG to the city centre, I would make your life as difficult as I can and offer you a few choice words to boot.
Why should you, the passenger, put a fellow human being through this merde when it is so easy to find an ATM?
1. If the meter is running. I would say, "take your time!"
2. If it were a fixed price job like CDG to the city centre, I would make your life as difficult as I can and offer you a few choice words to boot.
Why should you, the passenger, put a fellow human being through this merde when it is so easy to find an ATM?
Oct 5th, 2015, 06:51 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,853
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Travelex isn't a bank, so it isn't just an issue of DCC, they mark up the exchange rate. At least that's the way it is in the US at airports, and I can't imagine they are doing it for free in Europe.
Oct 5th, 2015, 06:56 AM
#10
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 6,024
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And this is why we always travel with some currency of the country we are visiting. I would rather pay a few extra dollars before we leave, and know I do not have to look for an ATM first thing off the plane.
Oct 5th, 2015, 07:15 AM
#11
>>Travelex isn't a bank, so it isn't just an issue of DCC, they mark up the exchange rate. At least that's the way it is in the US at airports, and I can't imagine they are doing it for free in Europe.<<
Not at all relevant . . . you ask the machine for € and get € . . . the exchange RATE is entirely determined by your own bank.
Just get some € at which ever machine you find first -- either HSBC or Travelex. The extra $2 or $3 it <i>might</i> cost you is hardly worth frettng over.
Not at all relevant . . . you ask the machine for € and get € . . . the exchange RATE is entirely determined by your own bank.
Just get some € at which ever machine you find first -- either HSBC or Travelex. The extra $2 or $3 it <i>might</i> cost you is hardly worth frettng over.
Oct 5th, 2015, 11:39 AM
#12
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have always gone to our local bank and bought the currency of any country we were visiting about a week before our trip. It only takes 10 minutes and costs a small service fee and is entirely worth it for peace of mind. We always get enough to last a couple of days so don't even have to think about using ATMs until we're settled in. All banks can do this nowadays thanks to the internet.
On two spur of the moment trips we did ask the taxi drivers to pull over at a machine and they didn't mind doing it at all. No choice words, no nothing except good service. I guess you get what you give.
On two spur of the moment trips we did ask the taxi drivers to pull over at a machine and they didn't mind doing it at all. No choice words, no nothing except good service. I guess you get what you give.
Oct 5th, 2015, 11:42 AM
#13
>>It only takes 10 minutes and costs a small service fee and is entirely worth it for peace of mind.<<
That may be possible where you live/bank -- but where I live (a pretty large urban/suburban area) no banks have foreign currency on hand. You have to order it at the branch and return 2-3 days later to collect it.
That may be possible where you live/bank -- but where I live (a pretty large urban/suburban area) no banks have foreign currency on hand. You have to order it at the branch and return 2-3 days later to collect it.
Oct 6th, 2015, 10:40 PM
#14
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some international banks do have some foreign currency on hand but usually not as much as you need.
It only takes 10 mins to fill out the paperwork.
Chances are you'll be running around town anyway so won't take much time to run in and collect the cash. Plan ahead that's all. No need to make such a big deal out of it.
Arriving in a foreign country without the money that's used there is just a stupid idea. Worse than not knowing the language because after all money talks.
It only takes 10 mins to fill out the paperwork.
Chances are you'll be running around town anyway so won't take much time to run in and collect the cash. Plan ahead that's all. No need to make such a big deal out of it.
Arriving in a foreign country without the money that's used there is just a stupid idea. Worse than not knowing the language because after all money talks.
Oct 7th, 2015, 08:04 AM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Arriving in a foreign country without the money that's used there is just a stupid idea." Frankly, I don't understand the panic about needing local currency before you depart on a trip.
I never get foreign currency before I leave on a trip. It's expensive and a hassle, and there is no reason to do it. There are ATMs in virtually all international airports. And if there is not an ATM, there is an exchange window. You will get better exchange rates in country than outside a country. Also, I travel to many places where you cannot get their currency outside the country - ask your bank for Myanmar kyat, for instance.
I never get foreign currency before I leave on a trip. It's expensive and a hassle, and there is no reason to do it. There are ATMs in virtually all international airports. And if there is not an ATM, there is an exchange window. You will get better exchange rates in country than outside a country. Also, I travel to many places where you cannot get their currency outside the country - ask your bank for Myanmar kyat, for instance.
Oct 7th, 2015, 08:58 AM
#16
>>Arriving in a foreign country without the money that's used there is just a stupid idea. <<
Huh? I sometimes have a little 'seed money' left over from my last trip -- but if not I never ever pre-purchase ££,€€,¥¥ or whatever.
If in the very unlikely even the ATMs are down when I arrive, I step the 20 feet over to the nearest Bureau de Change and buy a few ££,€€,¥¥ w/ the US$ I have.
Huh? I sometimes have a little 'seed money' left over from my last trip -- but if not I never ever pre-purchase ££,€€,¥¥ or whatever.
If in the very unlikely even the ATMs are down when I arrive, I step the 20 feet over to the nearest Bureau de Change and buy a few ££,€€,¥¥ w/ the US$ I have.
Oct 7th, 2015, 09:14 AM
#17
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oct 7th, 2015, 11:51 AM
#18
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<i>If in the very unlikely even the ATMs are down when I arrive, I step the 20 feet over to the nearest Bureau de Change and buy a few ££,€€,¥¥ w/ the US$ I have.</i>
A very sensible solution and one that precludes one´s regularly overpaying for money exchange. It´s a great backup plan when there is an urgent need brought on by very unusual circumstances.
In addition to the HSBC ATM machines at CDG, each terminal has at least one postal facility and in France, the post office is also a bank so there are la Poste ATMs in each terminal as well.
A very sensible solution and one that precludes one´s regularly overpaying for money exchange. It´s a great backup plan when there is an urgent need brought on by very unusual circumstances.
In addition to the HSBC ATM machines at CDG, each terminal has at least one postal facility and in France, the post office is also a bank so there are la Poste ATMs in each terminal as well.
Oct 7th, 2015, 10:30 PM
#19
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The taxi article mentions the fact that many drivers are working sur le black - off the books - so claim that their machines aren't working or they haven't gotten them yet. Can't count on anybody accepting cards even tho the law says they have to.
Oct 7th, 2015, 11:03 PM
#20
>> Can't count on anybody accepting cards even tho the law says they have to.<<
IT does not matter -- if taxis do or don't It is very very easy to get € at CDG -- either w/ a debit/ATM card or buying w/ US$ at the Bureau de Change. While one is waiting for their bag to come off the carousel they can get cash out of the wall or at a window. I honestly don't understand why some think this is so complicated.
IT does not matter -- if taxis do or don't It is very very easy to get € at CDG -- either w/ a debit/ATM card or buying w/ US$ at the Bureau de Change. While one is waiting for their bag to come off the carousel they can get cash out of the wall or at a window. I honestly don't understand why some think this is so complicated.
