Paris taxi-cash only?
 

I have never used a taxi to get to my hotel from CDG but that's the plan this trip. I can only remember paying cash for a taxi In Paris...is that right? No credit cards? Usually don't get cash until I have checked into my hotel and hit the streets. Really hate exchanging dollars for Euros at the airporton the way out but is that the best option for making sure I can pay the cab fare?

Hi Denise, there will be ATM's at the airport.

no, some taxis take credit cards. Could be the majority now, I'm not sure as I always pay cash. But I know some take CCs. You can ask for one that does.

Some taxis take cards. If you want to pay by card, just choose one at the taxi stand that does.

We always carry some Euros purchased from our local bank to cover the cost of a cab and incidentals. Don't like to search for an ATM in the airport, when we want to get out of the crowded airport and to our hotel/apartment.
It may be more expensive than using an airport ATM but it is way less stressful.
And when you first arrive in a foreign county after a long flight you don't need extra stress.

I have never really found using one of the numerous airport ATMs to be stressful, it´s rather simple actually. However, most taxis now accept credit cards but this should be clarified before you hop in. To make the experience as seamless as possible, write your destination address upon a piece of paper and hand it to the driver.

Expect to pay anywhere from 45€ to 55€ for most addresses in central Paris. Tips need not be excessive, 5% is sufficient.

I haven't found it at all stressful to get cash out of an ATM machine at an airport anywhere, be it Europe, Asia, or Africa (the only continents I've been to). They are usually staring you in the face as you exit the luggage or immigration areas.

Besides, in Paris, it will probably take you less time to get cash out of an ATM machine than it will to wait for a taxi that takes credit cards, so if your objective is to get to your hotel and start the vacation asap, it's the better way to go.

thanks for the feedback...you all make valid points, as always

Stressful to use an ATM at the airport? What an odd idea! Using an ATM in an airport is one of the first things that calms me down, whether I am in Hanoi or Johannesburg. All of the ATMs at CDG are operated by HSBC, and they are plentiful.

Given the fees for the ATM transaction by HSBC and your bank (if is not a partner with HSBC), you really wouldn't be wasting much to just get $100 in EU at travelex. Visit a partner ATM once you get in the city.... check out who your bank works with; Bank of America is BNP

<<Given the fees for the ATM transaction by HSBC>>

There are NO fees when using a French bank ATM. Many local banks charge no more than 1% which is the Maestro/Cirrus network currency conversion charge.

There aren't any fees at French ATMs. You don't need to go hunting for a "partner ATM." The only thing I'd be cautious about would be using a non-bank ATM, but that's true anywhere, and anyhow there aren't non-bank ATMs at CDG.

sorry, I misstated - the problem with fees is the US bank.... they charge different rates depending on the bank used.

FWIW, you can look at a map of the airport before you go so that you know exactly where the ATMs (and exchange bureaus) are located. This is the link to the official Aéroports de Paris site page, but there are many others out there too if you do a google search:
http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/e.../maps/maps.htm

US banks don't necessarily charge different rates depending on the bank used, that isn't correct, either. My bank charges the same rates at every ATM in Europe, regardless of bank. In fact, B of A is the only one I've ever heard of that had a differential policy. In any case, they all don't.

Well, I've been taking cabs all over Paris - one thing I would DEFINITELY not do is give a cab driver here my credit card. Have cash on you and at least 5 euros in change.

People wheeling their luggage around are likely targets for crime. I vote get cash at the airport atm and then pay in cash.

And definitely ask in advance for the approximate cost to get to your destination. Just ask C'est combien d'aller a ----- and give them the address where you're going.
then if it's 5 euros difference, pay it and be done.

I suggest that you wear a money belt at all times with your passport and cards and big money in it. Just leave out enough to pay the cab and voila.

And everyone please pay attention on metros. Don't give anyone the chance to pickpocket you, because they will. I NEVER speak english on the metro. I do not make eye contact and I just stay away from the metro doors - that is where you usually get ripped off.

Wait until you get out of the metro and metro station to have a big conversation with someone in English.

It is best not to assume that anyone is beyond being a pickpocket. There are all kinds. and remember - if anyone pushes you - you are probably just about to get pickpocketed - so pay attention.

In fact - I don't even carry a purse at all on the metro at night - it's just too tempting. If you MUST - wear it under your coat and hold on.

Money belts ROCK.

Yours
MC

seafox: "<i>they charge different rates depending on the bank used.</i>"

A Bank won't charge different rates -- your home bank's exchange rate will be the same no matter which ATM you use. And if you mean ATM 'fees', banks don't charge different fees for using different ATMs (except for situations like BofA which doesn't charge any fees if you use a partner bank's ATM)

Or, did you just mean >>different banks charge different fees<<. That is true -- some have no fees, others will have out-of-system fees between $1 and $5. But whatever the fee, it would cost less than buying € at home.

You want to talk transaction fees? The last Paris Taxi I took that accepted CCs had their machine breakdown, so w/meter running I was driven to the ATM and back.

I love the metro!

Excellent point about a taxi's credit card machine being down (and I often wonder if that is really true). And I am just so "lazy" that I don't want to deal with the Metro and my bags after the 8 hour flight, so it's a cab. Otherwise, I am fine with the Metro. But, Mariacallas2 (my cashmere wrap sister), your points about safety on the Metro are well taken.
Have never thought about not speaking English while on the Metro.

Don't speak English in the metro?! That is way too extreme. Just use common sense when talking so you don't stand out as a target - as you would with everything else about riding the metro. Conspicuously *not* conversing with your companions can be as much of a giveaway as holding a loud conversation in your native tongue.