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★ Save 60-130 EUR per €1,000
Airport vs city currency exchange in Paris
Why exchanging at CDG / Orly airports costs you up to 15% of your money — and how to do better in central Paris.
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Why exchanging at CDG / Orly airports costs you up to 15% of your money — and how to do better in central Paris.
★ The honest answer
Almost never. Airport currency exchange offices at CDG and Orly typically apply margins of 6 to 15 percent on major currencies, due to airport rent and captive customers. Central Paris exchange offices like We Change Beaubourg apply approximately 0.5 to 2 percent on majors.
On a 1,000 EUR exchange, the saving is typically 60 to 130 EUR. On 5,000 EUR, the saving is 300 to 650 EUR. The 35-50 minute trip to central Paris by RER B (12 EUR) pays back many times over.
Average margins observed in 2026, across the most-exchanged Paris channels.
| Channel | Typical margin | Cost per 1,000 EUR exchanged | Time to access |
|---|---|---|---|
| We Change Beaubourg · 36 rue Rambuteau (central Paris) | 0.5-2% | 5-20 EUR | 5 min from Châtelet |
| CDG airport exchange offices | 6-15% | 60-150 EUR | Inside terminals |
| Orly airport exchange offices | 6-12% | 60-120 EUR | Inside terminals |
| Châtelet Les Halles RER station offices | 4-10% | 40-100 EUR | Inside RER station |
| Boulevard / station exchange offices | 3-10% | 30-100 EUR | Variable |
| ATM (foreign card) | 1.5-4% + flat fee | 15-45 EUR (incl. fees) | 24/7 |
| French banks (for clients) | Variable, often 2-5% | 20-50 EUR | Closed weekends |
Margins are estimates based on rates publicly observed and customer feedback. Individual experience may vary slightly.
Real savings between airport and central Paris exchange.
60-130 €
savings on €1,000
300-650 €
savings on €5,000
600-1,300 €
savings on €10,000
In all 3 scenarios, the cost of the trip to central Paris (RER B at 12 EUR or Roissybus at 13 EUR) is paid back many times over. You also get to actually see Paris instead of an airport terminal.
Quickest, cheapest and most reliable options for your first hour in Paris.
~35-50 min · 12 EUR
Direct from CDG terminal 2 / 3. Stops at Gare du Nord then Châtelet Les Halles. Châtelet → 5-min walk to We Change Beaubourg. Tickets sold at machines (card accepted), at counters, or via mobile app.
~50 min · 13 EUR
Bus from all CDG terminals to Opéra Garnier. From Opéra, walk 25 min or take metro line 7 to Pont Neuf or line 1 to Hôtel de Ville (transfer to line 11 to Rambuteau).
~50 min · 14.50 EUR
From Orly: Orlyval shuttle to Antony station, then RER B to Châtelet Les Halles. Single ticket combines both.
~30 min · 11 EUR
Bus from Orly to Denfert-Rochereau. From there, metro line 4 to Châtelet, then walk 5 min to We Change Beaubourg.
~50-90 min · 55-75 EUR
Fixed Paris taxi rate (right bank): 55 EUR. Uber/Bolt 50-80 EUR. Comfortable for groups of 3-4 with luggage. Card accepted in all official taxis.
~30-60 min · 35-50 EUR
Fixed Paris taxi rate (right bank): 35 EUR. Faster than CDG due to closer distance. Direct to 36 rue Rambuteau.
💡 Money tip: RER B vending machines accept Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Apple Pay and Google Pay. You don't need any euros to ride. Exchange your money at fair rates AFTER you arrive in central Paris.
Frequently asked questions on airport vs city currency exchange.
Typically 60 to 130 EUR per 1,000 EUR exchanged. Airport offices apply margins of 6-15%, central Paris offices like We Change Beaubourg apply approximately 0.5-2%. On a 5,000 EUR exchange the saving is 300-650 EUR.
35 to 50 minutes by RER B (most common, 12 EUR), 50 minutes by direct bus (Roissybus, 13 EUR), or 50-90 minutes by taxi/Uber (55-75 EUR fixed price). Châtelet Les Halles is the central Paris hub — and 5 minutes' walk from We Change Beaubourg.
Not anymore. RER B vending machines and ticket counters accept all major credit cards and Apple Pay / Google Pay. You can ride to central Paris without any euros, then exchange a fair-rate amount at We Change Beaubourg upon arrival.
Slightly, but still significantly worse than central Paris offices. Châtelet Les Halles RER station exchange offices apply margins of 4-10%. We Change Beaubourg, 5 minutes' walk away, applies approximately 0.5-2% — saving you 30-80 EUR per 1,000 EUR.
ATM withdrawals using a foreign bank card typically cost: 1.5-4% foreign card fee + flat ATM fee (1-5 EUR) + Visa/MasterCard exchange rate (slightly worse than interbank). On 500 EUR withdrawal: 8-25 EUR total cost. Often cheaper than airport exchange but still worse than central Paris cash exchange.
Yes. We Change Beaubourg is one of the few currency exchange offices open Sunday afternoons in central Paris during the tourist season (April-October). Sunday hours: 1:30 PM to 6:00 PM.
Save 60-130 EUR per €1,000 by exchanging at We Change Beaubourg. 5 minutes from Châtelet Les Halles. 0 commission added · 24-hour rate guarantee on online bookings.