Our flight from the US arrives in Rome at 8:00pm. We're taking a shuttle to our rental apartment near Campo di Fiori. Payment in full for the apartment is due when we arrive, 750E. I think this is typical from what I have read. They don't take credit cards, which again I think is typical.

It's doubtful that we could withdraw more than 500E from an ATM, and we would need money earlier in the day for our 8 hour layover in Amsterdam, plus payment for the shuttle.

It seems that I'll need to bring several hundred dollars US and convert to euro at the aiport in order to have enough money to pay the expenses in Amsterdam, shuttle, and 750E for the apartment. Of course, everyone says not to bring large sums of money and you lose in the conversion.

Is there a better way to do this that I'm not thinking of? Thanks.
Susannah

If it was me, I would convert what I need either at my bank at home or at the airport before I leave. Yes, you would have to pay the conversion fee but to me this would be a minimal expense for my not having to worry once I got to the apartment.

One other thing you could do is withdraw with two different ATM cards but since this would be in the evening it may limit transactions the next day. Or perhaps you could wire the money before you go (though I would not do that in case plans changed or the place was horrible upon arrival).

I know people will disagree with me about converting money but I think if it was the beginning of my trip, I would opt to take the easy way out and pay the fee. Just my opinion.

When arriving at Rome airport from Oz last year, my wife and I shared the carrying of the euros bought at home for our accommodation payment. We were relieved we had done so, for the airport ATMs were temporarily out of order. We felt sorry for the American who told us that he had expected to be able to get the cash on his arrival. We have sometimes wondered how he sorted out the problem. So, we'd advise coming with the cash already bought!

Hi C3,

1. Is your daily limit 500E ($650)?

2. Do both you and your spouse have an ATM card on the same account?

If so, you can each withdraw 500E in Amsterdam.

3. If not,

3a. ask your bank to raise your daily limit

3b. get two ATM cards on that account

3c. open another account for your travel money, with 2 cards.

You can now take out 2000E/day.

Enjoy your visit.

I had the same problem last month when we rented our apartment in Rome. I had Commerce bank order euros for me. The cost was $18 which I thought was reasonable.

>Commerce bank order euros for me. The cost was $18 which I thought was reasonable.<

One must also check the exchange rate.

It was our best option. We didn't have to worry about getting money from an ATM when we arrived.

Are you staying, per chance, in VRBO # 21717?

We had to pay for our flat off the Camp dei Fiori in cash upon arrival, too. I went ahead and got cash from Bank of America before I arrived. I'm glad I did. The first four ATMs I tried in Rome were out of cash; by the 5th one, I was getting a little nervous (but no problems after that.)

Thanks for the inputs.

Ira - I always assumed that the daily limit was on the account, not on the card. I guess it makes sense to be a card limit if the intention is to limit withdrawls in case of theft. We both have ATM cards to the same account, so if you're correct we should be OK. I will be going in to the bank to see if we can raise the daily limit and will check with them.

You've also made me realize another solution. Both kids have debit cards to their checking accounts. I can have them make withdrawls and transfer money into their accounts to pay them back. That should help out - with 4 ATM cards on 3 different accounts we should be OK.

Just to be safe in case of ATM problems (out of cash), I think I'll take a nominal amount of US cash to cover the most critical needs - paying for our shuttle. We have plenty of time in Amsterdam to find ATMs before we get to Rome.

Thanks again for the help.
Susannah