Traveling to Italy

Old Sep 9th, 2014, 07:28 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Traveling to Italy

We arrive in Rome for a stay at a wonderful hotel. Should we get some euros prior to our arrival of after we get there? We will be flying in from New York. We have a debit and credit charge that charges a 1% fee and uses the money pass system. Not sure what would work best. And where is the best place to get euros, bank or ATM.

Getting excited.
Gretchen1566 is offline  
Old Sep 9th, 2014, 07:38 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 7,342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This is discussed a lot so you might find past threads on the subject helpful

"Should we get some euros prior to our arrival of after we get there?"

If it makes you feel more comfortable to have some euros on hand, do so.

"We have a debit and credit charge that charges a 1% fee and uses the money pass system."

Let your banks know you are travelling to Italy and for how long.

"Not sure what would work best. And where is the best place to get euros, bank or ATM."

Use your debit to withdraw Euros as a bank ATM and also use your credit card for purchases.
vjpblovesitaly is offline  
Old Sep 9th, 2014, 08:16 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
On the back of your debit card, is there a symbol like Plus or Cirrus? These are the big interbank networks in Europe, that operate the ATMs.

Do ask your bank about this but make sure you get somebody who really knows the answer. The average teller mostly doesn't.

For cash I wait until I get to Europe. At the airport there's always a bank of ATMs near the arrivals exit.
Mimar is offline  
Old Sep 10th, 2014, 04:09 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,782
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Mimar offers good advice. I also suggest you read all of the fine print on your ATM agreement. Often, fees for foreign cash transactions are higher than back home. I maintain chequing accounts at two different banks to have both Visa and MasterCard connections and provide a second chance if, for some reason, an ATM won't accept the first debit card I try.
Southam is offline  
Old Sep 10th, 2014, 11:31 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,933
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I usually take enough local currency to get me to my hotel. I don't like using those airport ATMs, withdrawing money in a crowded place while trying to keep an eye on my luggage. I prefer to withdraw money from an ATM at an actual bank, preferably when the bank is open.
bvlenci is offline  
Old Sep 10th, 2014, 11:54 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you have a bank in NYC that will exchange dollars for euros, you might want to get perhaps 100e in advance. The airport ATM's have long lines and usually high fees. Taxi's sometimes take credit cards but often don't and when you're jet lagged upon arrival, haggling or finding one in the line that will take credit, is just plain crazy. Use the intial euros to pay for the taxi. There are multiple ATM's that you can use for euros each day.

Be sure to tell your bank that you will be in Italy and what days. Do this multiple times and each time, ask if they have noted it on your file/record. One call may not get the job done and its embarrassing to have your card rejected after dinner or buying something at a store. If you like for security purposes, put a daily limit on withdrawals. Just be sure to make it large enough to cover your potential daily out of pocket expenses like climbing the dome at St Peters, some small restaurants, many stands at Campo D'Fiori, etc.

Read the fine print on the agreements and make sure you're not going to get ripped off on fees. Some cards have no transaction fee, some are huge.

Enjoy the dolce vita!
cmeyer54 is offline  
Old Sep 10th, 2014, 11:56 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
oops - almost forgot. While in the US, you can choose from savings or checking when making an ATM withdrawal, in Europe, some machines will default to checking so make sure you have funds in both accounts or the transaction will be cancelled due to 'inadequate funds' when you know darn well there is plenty to cover it.
cmeyer54 is offline  
Old Sep 10th, 2014, 11:57 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 42,601
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
I suggest you read the post just above mine. I also suggest that there are ways to withdraw money in "crowded places" while watching your luggage: you put your luggage on the floor IN FRONT OF YOU as you use the ATM.

I have not heard of anyone being robbed at an airport ATM in a while and the only time I was disappointed as to getting cash from an airport ATM was once we arrive at Milan-Linate and the one ATM I saw on the way to the taxi stand was inoperable.
Dukey1 is online now  
Old Sep 10th, 2014, 12:16 PM
  #9  
J62
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,923
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
"The airport ATM's have long lines and usually high fees."

High fees? What fees? Bank ATMs in Europe do not have any fees, and the only ATM's i've seen at airports upon arrival are affiliated with a bank.
J62 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
diann24
Europe
15
Oct 10th, 2010 06:47 AM
DiGiuseppe
Europe
9
Dec 15th, 2007 09:34 AM
kelly22904
Europe
28
Mar 7th, 2007 04:04 AM
luli38
Europe
48
Sep 1st, 2006 01:10 PM
Renee
Europe
5
Sep 21st, 2002 04:07 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -