This May will be our first trip to Italy, and we have read that it is very easy to obtain cash from an ATM machine found in the airport. As we will be arriving in Florence in the late afternoon, is there need for concern about the availability of cash at these machines since they have probably been "tapped" all day long. We would hate to get there after traveling ALL day long only to not have any funds. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

I normally rely exclusively on ATM's for cash, but I still always get some local currency before leaving home. The rates are terrible, but it helps to avoid having to deal with this when you arrive tired and bleary-eyed! I would bring enough lire to cover transportation to your first hotel and a little for food, and then find an ATM. It should work out fine from there.

I have done the same thing: That is I show up with a little of the local currency in my pocket. I live in a town serviced by Bank of America, and it has a minimum that you must buy. I calculated once that purchasing locally is 5% more expensive than using the ATM where I am going. But, the convenience of having a little money to eat, pay a cab fare, purchase a telephone card, etc. outweighs the slight extra expense.<BR>I just keep in mind that I am paying for convenience -- sort of like a coke at a baseball game. I know it costs more, but I don't want to leave the stadium to save 75 cents. <BR>

The Florence airport I flew into from CDG was VERY small (think Wilmington, NC). There was only one ATM and there was no problem getting cash from it.<BR><BR>So you can either do as suggested above, or risk it like I do. Worst case, you tell the cab driver to take you to the closest ATM.

Considering that you'd only have to get about $50 in lire before you leave at a poor exchange rate in the US, it's a very small price to pay for peace of mind when you get to Italy!

I have found that the ATMs in the bank lobbies always have money.I also feel safer using them rather than the ones in the street-gives you some breathing space and time to put the money away.

there are ATMs all over the place... I have my account with BofA so i got charged 3 dollars for each transaction. Kind of like commission if you go into a bank. I would definitely use them for big withdrawals. very convienent.

One thing to be aware of. I was in Paris last May and of all things the union that fills the ATMS with money went on strike. The only place we could get money was at the post office. None of the local banks wanted to deal with foreigners. Having said that ATMs are the way to go. Also helps to have a credit card just in case.