Euros
 

Any suggestions on how many euros we should take for an 8 day trip to florence and Rome.
Hotels are paid for with cc. We will be using cc pretty much but want cash as well. Prefer not to use cash machines so we want to bring the euros with us.

None. Use your ATM card upon arrival to euro. You will get a lousy exchange rate if you get euro in the states.

wonder why you prefer not to use cash machines? the exchange rate is better than the US, most do not charge fees (unless your bank does) and its safer than carrying around large amounts of cash.

You'll need cash for tipping, taxis, less expensive meals, small souvenir purchases. It's kind of hard to guess what these expenses will be for you, since everybody is different. I find I always spend more cash than I think I'm going to.

If you insist on taking euros and not using ATMs, then OK: You need 1,000 euros for an 8-day trip. Then, if you have any left over at the end of the trip, exchange them at the airport and get shortchanged again.

Keep in mind that you're asking this question of people who have no idea what your spending habits and interests are.

So get euros at airport in florence when we land at the ATM? Then exchange any left over euros at fco ATM when we leave. I presume the atm's in Italy will limit the amount we can withdraw at one time, so we will have to make a crew withdrawals. Does this seem like a better plan rather than bringing 1500 euros with us.

< Prefer not to use cash machines so we want to bring the euros with us.>

And what is your logic behind this? Would you prefer to pay more in exchange fees by getting ripped off by a US bank (because that's what happens if you exchange in the US)?

You cannot "exchange" at an ATM. You withdraw. At an Italian ATM, you can withdraw Euros. Don't withdraw too much because your leftovers will be useless in the US. If you have a significant amount of Euros left when you are ready to fly home, then EXCHANGE them at the foreign exchange counter. You will be gouged, but so be it.

How do you think you are going to "exchange any left over euros" at an ATM?

What on earth do you think you are going to spend 1500 euros on in eight days if you are using CCs for major purchases?

Draw a couple of hundred on arrival and replenish as needed. Wear a money belt. If your bank charges high fees find a better bank for travel.

>>Then exchange any left over euros at fco ATM when we leave.<<

No -- you can't exchange € at an ATM… They dispense money, you can't get $ back out. But if you do things right you won't have any/much cash left when you fly out. Get a couple hundred € when you arrive and then when/if you need most in a day to two, withdraw more at a city ATM. There is no need at all to carry around tons of cash.

>>Does this seem like a better plan rather than bringing 1500 euros with us.<<

Absolutely 100%

we were all posting at the same time :)

<i>What on earth do you think you are going to spend 1500 euros on in eight days if you are using CCs for major purchases?</i>

High end prostitutes.

There are ATM's all over Rome and Florence. You will find using the ATM machines convenient - there is a button to press for English transactions. Just let your bank know the dates you will be traveling. We take out as much as we need per day - we don't carry a lot of cash on us. We prefer not to use a credit card for daily purchases as we have experienced credit card fraud in the past.

A tip on withdrawing cash from ATM... If you want to withdraw 200E, instead withdraw 190. This way you will gat some smaller bills. Many times taxis, street vendors, etc. have a hard time making change for large bills (or at least pretend to).

I don't get the thought process of not wanting to use an ATM. Yeah, I get the potential threat from skimmers but if you use an ATM inside open banks, the threat is minimal.

You will probably need more cash than you anticipate. My experience in Italy is that there are many places that don't take (or don't like to take) credit cards, and times when the card reader doesn't want to work. You will be OK at larger hotels and other large businesses, but it is better to choose a restaurant by what's on the menu, than by whether they accept credit cards.

I wish I thought I could go to Italy and only spend 1500 Euro.

You don't want to have euro left unless you are planning another trip and want a 100€ or so to have for your arrival day the next time.

It helps to know the conversion rates when withdrawing. If you are using an ATM card from a credit union, they might have a lower withdrawal limit. Mine only allows $400 per day which is only about 300€ at the moment. You cannot select to withdraw 400€ if your limit is $400. As pointed out, you need to tell your bank when/where or they will freeze your card. You can't select to withdraw from a savings account so make sure your card is for a checking account.

msteacher you made a good point..less ammounts than various 100Es..great idea ..smaller bills!!! ATMs. are the way to go in Europe..Never had a problem but watch out if any have a charge. Some in Spain do. Don't know about Italy. Put some of the paper in the money belt and off you go!! Happy trails!!

It's close to insane to bring 1500 euros with you from the States. First, you will have paid 7-10% more for them than you would just using an ATM once you've arrived, plus there's the added risk of carrying that kind of cash with you. That kind of thinking is decades old. Just use your ATM card once there, and inform your bank you'll be conducting overseas transactions. And if you happen to bank at an institution that charges you anything more than the 1% transaction fee, think about opening an account with a bank that doesn't.

Take a couple of cards that don't charge foreign transaction fees (Capital One, Barclays, Credit Union etc.), make a withdrawal at the airport from an ATM, NOT a money exchange booth! I start with 200 Euros from each card (190 going forward per msteacher's excellent suggestion), this will establish early on that your cards are working. Then just withdraw every couple of days or as needed with the goal of having very few Euros left at the end of the trip.

I also stash two $100 bills somewhere on me (usually in my shoes) just in case.

I understand that hi end prostitutes would have a visa machine :-)

In many countries, when I had too much cash on the last day, I would just settle the hotel bill with as much cash as I needed to get rid of (leaving some for airport needs) and complete it with my payment card.

i always try to calculate so I have no more than 100 euro leftover at the end. I withdraw at ATM's as needed. And then I just bring that cash home to use for my next trip. Or else I spend it in the duty free shops in the departure airport...chocolate is way better to bring home than dollars!

Regarding credit card use, some charge international fees and others do not. So best to check in advance and use the card that does not charge fees. For example American Express charges an international fee for each and every transaction. CapitalOne does not charge an international transaction fee. Those fees can add up to some serious damage.

<I understand that hi end prostitutes would have a visa machine>

Or at least one of these:

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