credit cards and customs in Rome
 

My husband, my daughter and I are going to Rome on May 18. I am an EU citizen, and so is my daughter by virtue of her birthrite. My husband, however, is not. I will be bringing my Italian passport (issued before the European Union), but neither my daughter (who is 3 years old) nor my husband have one. I understand that there is a special line through customs for EU citizens. Will we all be able to go through that line, or would my husband and daughter not be able to? Does anyone know who I could contact to ask this question? We live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. <BR><BR>Also, I have been told that using credit cards gives you a better rate of exchange than cash, even when changed at a bank. Is this true? What about the acceptance of credit cards in small towns? We will be visiting Minturno, Formia, and Gaeta as well as Rome.<BR><BR>Lastly, is it better to exchange from Canadian to US dollars or Euros? I think that using Euros would be easier, as there would be universal acceptance of that currency.<BR><BR>Thanks!

In Rome, there are indeed two lines for immigration (not customs) - one for EU citizens and another for non-EU citizens. I can't answer your question as to whether you all can go through that EU citizen line. However, if you're indeed worried about it, why don't you just go through the EU line and your husband and child go through the non-EU line? You could try calling the Italian consulate for information, too. <BR><BR>Credit cards generally give you a better exchange rate, but you should contact your bank to see what surcharges they place on foreign currency purchases. Some banks place higher surcharges which translate into a worse exchange rate. In my experience, smaller towns (and smaller shops) tend to accept cash over credit cards. A simple solution would be to bring an ATM card and get cash from the ATM. <BR><BR>With regards to exchanging currency, you'll lose money each time you exchange currency. In other words, you'll lose more if you exchange Canadian to US to Euro. In Italy, everything is priced in the Euro so you're better off just converting straight from Canadian to Euro. Again, if you just bring some Euros to get by initially and then use an ATM, it'll be easier. <BR><BR>

K, is there any surcharge for using the ATM, or is it as if I were just doing a straight exchange at the bank?

ATM surcharges depend on your bank at home, as well as the bank overseas. My bank doesn't charge a surcharge for using other ATMs and reimburses other bank's ATM surcharges, so I don't worry about those things. You should check with your bank to see if you'll be charged or reimbursed. <BR><BR>I will note that the Italian ATMs I used did not advise me of a surcharge on their end. Some of them did charge a surcharge and a few did not charge anything at all. I didn't know about the surcharge until I got my bank statement.

Italian law requires that you enter the country with your EU passport. Since your husband and child do not have EU passports, they must enter through the non-EU line.

Ayla- I too am from Canada and went to Italy last summer, flying into Rome. Our plane (departing from Toronto)was let through immigration in about 10 seconds - we just walked by the officers and held up our passports.<BR><BR>There was a plane from New York that arrived at the same time, and they were stuck in a huge line - the all had to go through immigration step by step, one lady said that she had been waiting for over an hour to get through. Needless to say, we got some dirty looks from those waiting in line!<BR>I don't know if this had something to to with Canada being part of the commonwealth (the only thing I can possibly think of...) or something else.<BR><BR>Your best bet to find out all the info you need is to go to the government of Canada website....<BR>http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/customs/individuals/canadians-e.html<BR>and<BR>http://www.passages.gc.ca/menu-e.asp<BR><BR>If you have any questions that aren't answered here, they are very good about responding to your email, and I beleive there is also a toll free number you can call.<BR><BR>The address to the Italian embassy in Canada<BR>http://www.italyincanada.com/<BR>When I go out of the country I take enough of the local currency to last me a few days, and then usually use bank machines as they give good exchange rates. I only use credit cards if I have to.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Hope this has helped you some, have a great time in Rome!<BR><BR>Julie

Don't plan on using credit cards in small towns.<BR><BR>Do change some Canadian dollars to Euros, but rely on an ATM card for getting more cash later, you will get a better rate. Don't use a credit card for cash anytime anywhere!<BR><BR>Doug

No prob with credit cards in formia or gaeta,<BR>we spent a week there last yr.<BR>thought it was a lovely area<BR>Certainly use euros for smaller purchases.