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-   -   CDG Airport ATM (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/cdg-airport-atm-639990/)

Kathryncee Aug 17th, 2006 05:29 PM

CDG Airport ATM
 
Has anyone had a negative experience at CDG airport (Paris) with trying to withdrawl money at ATM's upon arrival?

Luisah Aug 17th, 2006 05:59 PM

No problem at CDG but but did in Prague when apparently I requested more than the limit allowed by my bank per withdrawal. Some banks allow only $300 a day so if you plan to withdraw more, contact you bank.

grandmere Aug 17th, 2006 06:07 PM

Couple of years ago the ATM (near exit from baggage claim) was not working; someone said there was another somewhere else, but we just very easily got a cab that took credit card. Went to an ATM at bank as soon as we got into the city, and off we went!

Kathryncee Aug 17th, 2006 07:41 PM

Thanks.. I remember reading somewhere that this was difficult.. ATM's not working, horrible lines, etc..

Clea Aug 17th, 2006 08:30 PM

We had to walk to three different terminals to find one that was working. The line was long, but that seemed to be the result of novice ATM users. I had to help the guy in front of me because he was just standing there like he had never seen an ATM before. We did finally get our Euros and happily caught our waiting shuttle.
Clea

kerouac Aug 17th, 2006 09:06 PM

I would say the people arriving on a 7 a.m. flight on a Monday morning are the most likely to find the ATM's not working, but CDG2 has ten or more ATM's -- the majority of them are just outside the various "Arrival" doors but some of them are in the underground passage linking terminals A-C to B-D.

Kate_W Aug 17th, 2006 10:27 PM

We generally haven't had trouble at terminal 2B, except for our last trip home in June, when we were tired and grumpy and couldn't find a working ATM at our gate or the next one over. Too grumpy to look further, so we took a cab that takes credit cards.

isabel Aug 18th, 2006 04:02 AM

I've actually had trouble twice at CDG, a couple of years apart. In both cases the first ATM didn't work but the next one I passed a few minutes later(there are quite a few) did. I'm not so sure it's not the ATM but the fact that when you land in Paris (after most transatlantic flights) it's the middle of the night in the US and sometimes banks go offline briefly for maintenance. Anyway, I read that somewhere, don't know if it's true. I also had the same problem in London at least once. And I've almost never had a problem any other time on numerous trips so it sounds logical.

tcreath Aug 18th, 2006 04:27 AM

When we arrived in CDG last November we had a difficult time even finding an ATM. The airport was confusing to navigate, and there was some construction going on. We walked around for about 15 minutes and finally ended up going to an exchange bureau to exchange a small amount of money for our shuttle and getting more money out at the ATM near our hotel.

Tracy

wally34949 Aug 18th, 2006 05:12 AM

Several years ago, I tried to withdraw money at the CDG ATM. They were all out of money. I heard that the people who filled the ATM's were on strike. I had to use a (dreaded) Travelers Check. That is the only problem and it only happened once.

Luisah Aug 18th, 2006 05:40 AM

I've used the ATMs at CDG many, many times and only once the ATM just outside the arrival gate wasn't working. I walked a few feet to an AF desk and asked directions to another one, which worked fine.

There is no need to wander the airport looking for an ATM, there are several, so just ask at an AF desk or an information booth.

Just like the taxi queue and the lines through immigration, lines at the ATM depend on what time your flight arrives and how many other flights are arriving about the same time.

Seamus Aug 18th, 2006 05:57 AM

Over the last several years I'd estimate it to be about 60/40 for me - the 40 being the percentage of time the ATMs were not working. I usually have sufficient euro in my pocket on arrival (saved from previous visit) to cover transport into the city and a coffee or two, or just exchange a small amount of currency at the airport.

nho9504 Sep 3rd, 2006 11:54 AM

Anyone knows if there are ATMs at T3?

We fly from Liverpool to CDG on EasyJet and it arrives at T3.

I am trying to find a CDG layout on web but so far do not seem to find the official site - that can give me an airport layout with each terminal with indication for facilities.

BeniciaChris Sep 3rd, 2006 12:02 PM

I have never used an ATM card before this trip my husband & I are embarking on.Even though we now have the card I always go to my bank before I leave & get a little currancy of each country we are going to. That way when you arrive you don't have to mess with a machine-Chris

nho9504 Sep 3rd, 2006 12:15 PM

We have been using ATM cards for well over a decade now. For the first few times 10-12 years ago we would bring a couple hundred T-checks but found we did not use them and re-deposited them when we returned home.

Have not exchange any foreign currency before leaving home for at least a dozen years and dont intend to start that.

Besides, it is not easy to find a bank branch carries foreign currency unless you live in a good size city or a gateway city in U.S.


nho9504 Sep 3rd, 2006 12:19 PM

Found the layout of CDG - in English to boot. (Earlier I found the French version).

Except that they dont give explanation to the icons they used on the map - I suppose Europe has used sign language for several decades that everyone understands what it means when they see the little picture!

Here: http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/Adp/e...idesPratiques/

you can click on each terminal.

There is at least an ATM sign right at the T3 arrival area next to the rest room. Roissy bus terminal is just outside the door. Since T3 is used by EasyJet and the Brits need Euro when they arrive, I hope there are more than one ATM and in working condition.

HSBC has about 25 ATMs throughout T1 and T2 and I printed the map.

sallyjane3 Sep 3rd, 2006 01:16 PM

I could not use my ATM card in May. The card has no special chip(???what-ever) that is needed.

Travelnut Sep 3rd, 2006 06:11 PM

Isn't it worth paying $5-6 to get $100 from your own airport while you have nothing to do but wait to board, rather than dragging your tired a*s around CDG in an effort to find a working machine when you could already be on your way into Paris..?

Luisah Sep 4th, 2006 05:30 AM

Sallyjane3,

Where did you have problems with your ATM card? AT the airport or at other places? Do you have an ATM card or a credit/debit card?

I thought the problems with not having the chips were with credit/debit cards when trying to pay at gas pumps, for example.

sallyjane3 Sep 4th, 2006 09:23 AM

Hi, Lu...I had trouble at the airport and then later tried it again to make sure it wasn't just that machine. The nice lady at the Exchange Window at the airport told me what the problem probably was and she was correct. It's an ATM card, btw.

letour Sep 4th, 2006 02:15 PM

I usually am taking the train out of CDG so I go to the train departure area and find a machine there. I usually use the same one on the second floor and have never had a problem using my credit card. I usually take a modest amount out, with the notion that I may find a more favorable rate at the end of my train destination.

letour


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