Hi All, We are leaving for Europe soon and want to know if we should go to the bank and get euros before we leave or wait and do it in Rome when we arrive? Thanks, Laura

I like to have some euro before I go, so usually get 100 or 200, then I get more from a bank ATM while there if needed. Pay attention when taking cash out that you don't fall for the DCC thing, press the button for euros not conversion to your currency. The same applies when paying by credit card, the prompt will say do you want to pay in euro or your own currency...choose euro.
You can use credit cards or even Apple pay in most places.

Do not buy euros before your trip. The best thing to do is to get them from a bank ATM upon arrival

We were recently in Italy and never had a need for any cash. Credit cards or tap to pay were accepted from food trucks and vendors at the flea market to taxis, shops, buses, trams, restaurants, hotels, etc.

I always get some local currency (ordered online and picked up at my home bank) before any trip. Then use an ATM if/when you need more. I would never travel with no cash myself. Also you do not want to actually "exchange USD for euro" as in handing cash for cash at an currency exchange, that is almost always anywhere the worst rate.

I opt for an ATM at the airport upon arrival.

Whatever you decide do not take out a lot of cash. You almost certainly won't need it, and if you do you can get more at an ATM while you are there. No point in carry lots of cash around and then having to do something with it when you leave.
Just don't fall for DCC whether paying by card or getting money from an ATM.

The title of your post suggests you may be planning to bring dollars to Europe and exchange them for euros. That’s probably not what you meant, but that is the last thing you should do. Raincitygirl in post #2 has some good suggestions, including avoiding the DCC trap, because that allows the vendor to set the exchange rate, which is always worse than if you select euros.

Like raincitygirl I like to have some local currency upon arrival, so get a small amount of euros from your bank or even the exchange bureau at the airport before you leave. You will pay a little more that way, but the few extra dollars for a small amount is insignificant. The best exchange rate is usually when you pay by credit card. My bank even gives me 1.5% cashback on every transaction, so that’s even better than the rate at an ATM.

Find out if your bank has foreign transaction charges—some do and some don’t. Bottom line is you don’t need to carry much cash around anymore. I don’t even need to use my cards except for ATM transactions, because I use Apple Pay on my phone.

Oh, I almost forgot. Inform your bank where and when you are travelling so they don’t block your cards as suspicious transactions.

My bank doesn't want or need foreign travel date information reported, like they used to request.

An ATM at the airport uppon arrival is likely the best value pretty much anywhere, but for me after flying from the west coast USA to Europe I wouldn't really want to do even simply banking upon arrival. I'm too wiped out from being awake for too long! That's why its worth it to me to order from my home bank and have enough for easy transactions (like buying a cup of coffee) upon arrival.

IME, that varies tremendously from country to country. So although I wait to get local currency until I land, I only get a small amount of cash.

I'm with the "use the ATM at the airport" crowd and have found that cash is generally not needed anymore... make sure you're charged in Euros or local currency not your home currency. I'm thinking the airport ATM is more likely to have English translation. You probably don't need as much cash as you might imagine. Whatever Euros you have left over take it home and save it for the next trip.

Using your ATM card may likely cost a $5 "not our ATM" fee plus a 2% - 3% foreign conversion fee in addition to the conversion rate you get so you'll want to limit those transactions, I think.

One doesn’t even need cash to buy a coffee anymore. It’s all tap and go payments using your card, phone or watch. We brought €300 with us last time, leftover from the previous trip and only spent €12 of it. Seriously. In Greece and Italy.

I say listen to raincitygirl and get a little before leaving home.

It's possible you'll find the ATMs not working, a long line or only the expensive EuroNext ATMs. You don't want to use those.

At FCO the normal bank ATM is basically hidden in T3

https://www.adr.it/documents/d/guest...a-2-aggiornato

Far right of the map near the travel agency. I think that's a bank ATM IRCC

My Boy Scout "Be Prepared" training used to tell me to have a few euro before departing the US, but for years we have brought home unspent euro so have them for the next trip.
Do pay attention to the DCC scam mentioned several times. And also be aware that not all ATMs are bank ATMs. Bank ATMs usually provide the best exchange value. Also keep in mind that if you have a debit card - either physical or loaded on your digital device - when using it to check out it is usually possible to get cash back.

It honestly makes very little difference whether you buy a few € from your home bank - or - withdraw a few from an ATM at your arrival airport. I've done it both ways. But your are talking a small amount of cash so the fees will be negligible really. 90% or more of your expenses will be via credit cards so you don't need much actual currency at all. One reason to wait util arriving is than many Stateside banks set a lower limit for the amount of foreign they will sell. One of my banks won't sell less than $200 worth of £ or € and another sets a $500 minimum. I never need $200 - $500 worth so just pull a few € out of an ATM while waiting for your bags at the airport.

I've never noticed an ATM near the baggage carousel.

Just get 100 from your bank; you will likely come home with some of that amount, as people mentioned, credit cards are the way to go in Italy. I have a few hundred euro that I've come home with, and return to Italy with, because I never have a chance to spend them.

We’re currently in England and agree tap/go credit card usage is very common and convenient.
But each Black Cab driver has expressed preference for cash and I like to accommodate them.
Also, a pound plus for the chambermaid each morning.…takes care of any odd change.

Many banks won't sell as little as 100€. But yes, do check. Your's may be an exception. I've never had a problem finding a cash machine in arrivals. Especially in major hubs with international routes.

I'm pretty sure Germany is still heavily cash but even that is changing

If you get some in advance, don't get more than about 50. You'll probably be using CCs most of the time.
The one caveat with waiting to get there and using an ATM at the airport is that everyone else getting off a plane has the same idea. I've seen lines at ATMs of as many as 10 people, especially if one machine is out of order.

I just got back from Germany. CCs almost everywhere except small souvenir shops.