Paris is known as the city of light, love, and magic. But, as any person who enjoys traveling understands, the trip does not start at the hotel, or during the first tour. It starts the instant you step off that train, or out of that taxi, and into the pulse of the city, One of the first things you’ll need to do when arriving at Gare de Lyon (Paris’s surreal center) is to exchange money. Because there’s so many money exchange shops near Gare de Lyon, looking for a place to exchange your dollars to Euros can be a bit of a challenge.
Having visited numerous currency exchange outlets in the vicinity of the station, I have come up with a well-researched list of the 5 best places that allow tourists to convert their money. These locations have the most reasonable prices, helpful staff, and are in perfect positions for embarking on your journey in Paris. If you are in search of trusted foreign exchange shops close to Gare de Lyon or you want to know which are the best currency exchange shops that cater for travellers in the Gare de Lyon area, continue reading!
Best 5 Money Exchange Shops In Gare De Lyon
Before we get into the details about all the shops in particular, let me set the stage. Money exchanges near Gare De Lyon locations typically differ from each other when it comes to their rates, the overall fees and the provided service. Certain locations come off as convenient but have a high service fee, on the other hand, there might be places which have low service fees but are very hard to find. Here is a breakdown of all the locations which appealed to me during my visit.
1. Travelex – Gare De Lyon Station
Location
Gare de Lyon, Hall 2, Paris
Travelex needs no introduction, it has established itself as one of the top money exchange currency exchange services close to Gare de Lyon for tourists. I am sure you have heard of it and it’s for good reason! Located inside the gare, Travelex makes it painless and fast to transform your cash into Euros.
Facilities & Benefits
- Travel Accessibility: Located at Gare de Lyon’s center makes it fairly easy to locate and reach.
- In-store Pre-order: Instead of queuing in a line, you can pre-book a band and save yourself time.
- Multi-Currency Exchange: If you are a traveler and looking to exchange currencies, you would be sorted with the option offered by travelex as they offer more currencies than just euros.
- Location Accessibility: There are some locations that operate throughout the day, perfect for reaching late night or early morning.
- Wi-Fi Availability: While travelling abroad, some branches also give free Wi-Fi, which is a benefit to have.
Pricing & Features
Their rates might be a bit higher compared to the others available during the year, however they are constantly changing so checking online beforehand can be helpful. There is a small commission fee however pre-booking online will save you some money and bring the rates roughly down.
My experience
While in a bill of needing to get some local currency, travelex was the perfect match as it was convenient and located in the station. Overall pleasant experience, from the staff being friendly to the process being smooth. The only downside was the rate being a bit higher compared to the other options available.
2. City Forex
Location
13 Rue de la Gare de Lyon, Paris
City Forex is yet another top money exchange for visitors near Gare de Lyon that offers the advantage of being more service oriented than some of the bigger chains.
Facilities & Benefits
- Location: They are a leisurely 5-minute stroll away from the station and still not caught right in the midst of the busy centre.
- Deterministic Guidance: They take their time explaining the rates and offer useful advice as well.
- Transparency: Being City Forex, they tend to be extremely price friendly.
- Optimized Rates: While offering some of the best forex locations for tourists in Paris 12th arrondissement, they do tend to charge more than some of the other exchange hubs in the vicinity.
- Walk-In: There is no need to call and reserve a spot before and for the exchange to happen since it will be done on the spot.
Pricing & Features
According to many, City Forex is an ideal place for foreign exchange services for tourists around Gare de Lyon when it comes to the pricing. Moreover, they charge almost nothing for their services as opposed to Travelex and other major competitors.
My Experience
I am happy to report that the people working at City Forex are friendly and willing to help. The staff provided a thorough breakdown of the rates, together with the charges as well, which is not always the practice at forex offices. It was easy walking from Gare de Lyon, and I had no problems with the small walk to secure some favorable rates.
3. La Maison de la Monnaie
Location
29 Rue de Charonne, Paris
A step up from the rest, La Maison de la Monnaie is best when searching for the most efficient and trustworthy money exchange close to Gare de Lyon and requires a more refined service.
Facilities & Benefits
- Elevated Experience: The vibe of the location is modern, offering a high-end boutique look and feel.
- Multi-Currency Availability: Their main focus is the wide currency conversion services they are able to provide and therefore the best option for overseas tourists.
- Increasing Currency Exchange Amounts: La Maison de La Monnaie is reputed to offer very competitive rates when dealing in large currency amounts.
- Client Protection: Since it is a reputed organization, it gives comfort to the clients who have to deal with large volumes of money.
Pricing & Features
Even if their exchange rates aren’t as competitive as what most small local shops have to offer, the highest money exchange rates for tourists in Gare de Lyon area allow them to remain competitive among the other services provided. This is even more relevant if we’re dealing with large sums of money.
My Experience
La Maison de la Monnaie definitely gave me the sense that I was well taken care of, and this goes especially to their employees that were attending to me as they seemed extremely cordial and professional in what they did. I must admit, I made a couple of other comparisons in my head on what other financial services charge and while la maison was not the most affordable once that comes to mind, it was worth paying slightly more keeping in mind the kind of service and the quality of the currency exchange they provide.
4. Caisse d’Épargne Currency Exchange
Location
20 Avenue Daumesnil, Paris
In times when you are looking for cheap money exchange services for tourists around gare de lyon, Caisse d’Épargne is a bank you could trust with your money along with providing you with an excellent exchange service. It’s easy to get to and is ideal for those who want to avoid the more touristy locations since its a short distance from the station.
Facilities & Benefits
- Reputable Bank: Since this is a part of a number of french banks, you can be sure that Caisse d’Epargne will ensure that the transactions made are safe.
- Clear Structure: The bank does not have a complex fee structure meaning that there should not be any surprises later on with regard to charges.
- Customer Care: Staff here are friendly and accommodating which is suitable for new clients who may require help.
- Cash Machines Accessibility: Caisse d’Épargne is equipped with ATMs, if after exchanging you want to withdraw Euros.
Pricing & Features
Caisse d’Épargne has a money exchange for tourists service in a few locations and the charges are quite reasonable. They may not always have the best rates in the world but the service is decent because there are no hidden charges.
My Experience
I went to Caisse d’Épargne because I wanted to exchange a small amount of money. I found this approach easy and without any extra steps, and I greatly appreciated this. Their rates were reasonable, and it seemed as if there was a better alternative for those who are willing to walk a bit more from the station.
5. Euro Change
Location
38 Rue de Bercy, Paris
Euro Change is another place that I would recommend for a currency exchange location in the vicinity of Gare de Lyon who have a need to change USD and Euros. They are a small chain but it’s not bad if you have to change USD to EUR at Gare de Lyon during your visit.
Facilities & Benefits
Exchange Rates: Euro change is recognized for being rated as one of the foreign exchange centers near Gare de Lyon for tourists looking for EUR conversions.
- Zero Commission Fees: Euro Change is devoid of commission fees which makes it easy to operate as you only see the exchange rates.
- Walk-Ins welcomed: They do not require a previous ordering system meaning you can just enter the premises and exchange your cash.
- ATMs Available: They also provide the services of ATMS if cash is needed after the exchanging.
Pricing & Features
Euro Change is suitable for tourists who are in search of a good ratio of price and the speed of change of currency near Gare de Lyon. They don’t charge extra fees either which is a plus point.
My Experience
For me Euro Change was the epitome of convenience. With only a few meters from my hotel, I was able to assess them in no time and having checked the market, their rates were quite reasonable. The entire procedure was certainly swift and efficient, just the way things need to be when in the middle of a foreign city.
My Recommendation Table
| Money Exchange Shop | Location | Pricing | Best Feature 1 | Best Feature 2 |
| Travelex | Gare de Lyon, Hall 2, Paris | Competitive, small fees | Conveniently located within the station | Pre-order currency online for better rates |
| City Forex | 13 Rue de la Gare de Lyon, Paris | Affordable, transparent fees | Personalized customer service | No hidden fees, competitive rates |
| La Maison de la Monnaie | 29 Rue de Charonne, Paris | Higher fees for premium service | Premium, upscale atmosphere | Accommodates large transactions with good rates |
| Caisse d’Épargne | 20 Avenue Daumesnil, Paris | Reasonable, transparent rates | Trusted banking institution, secure transactions | ATM availability for easy withdrawals |
| Euro Change | 38 Rue de Bercy, Paris | Affordable, no commission | Competitive exchange rates, no commission | Walk-in convenience with quick service |
Why Should You Go on?
It’s always a pleasure to visit Paris, and beginning your journey with an effortless, trustworthy money exchange for tourists near Gare de Lyon can help a tremendous deal. Be it the international franchise like Travelex, the local favorite like City Forex or the safe option like La Maison de la Monnaie, these 5 **money exchange shops in Gare de Lyon area** deal in remarkable services to ease your travel experience.
To the upcoming tourists, I suggest carrying on little methods that would ease your rather expensive trip. For instance, figure out where to get the most bang for your money in the Gare de Lyon area, and learn why Chicago is the tourist hub that it has quickly become since. Also, try not to change money at the airport or tourist locations unless it is unavoidable—because those rates can be considerably higher than those offered at these local businesses.
The next time you find yourself in Paris and in search of a money exchange service near Gare de Lyon that offers quick transactions and a better service, then have a look at these options. Trust me, you will be on the right track to have a great time in Paris.
FAQs
Can tourists exchange USD to EUR near Gare de Lyon? Where?
There are several options to exchange USD to EUR near Gare de Lyon for tourists including Travelex, City Forex and Euro Change.
Where will I get a better rate between Travelex and Caisse d’Épargne?
Caisse d’Épargne will be superior to Travelex and exchange rate for them in store, however, for travelers, Travelex offers better rates but only when there is a prior ordine placed online.
When is the ideal time to change money near Gare de Lyon?
Money should be exchanged and transactions done during non peak hours like evenings and early mornings to render the best experience and service.
Are there any additional costs when I’m exchanging money in Gare de Lyon?
Travelex is known to have some transaction costs but other services like Euro Change and City Forex do not charge transactions at all.
