StenoLady

I have no experience with the new Euro. Should I get my Euros here in US before going or wait till I'm in Italy? What is the basic exchange rate? Is the value of a Euro to American dollar about the same?

rex

Get then there. One euro will cost you something like $1.10 USD.

Check xe.net for changes.

Best wishes,

Rex
[email protected]

chrisp

Don't get them in the US. Use the ATM at the airport. Just be sure your ATM card has a 4 digit password. The exchange rate is better. Happy Traveling.

RachelG

I always get my foreign currency here at my bank before I leave. They don't charge an exchange fee, and I don't have to worry about finding somewhere to exchange money as soon as I arrive.

StenoLady

Rex,
Thanks for the tip.
Deb

rex

The "no exchange fee" is always a myth. They just adjust the rate in their favor an extra 5%, and say "no fee", of course.

Unless you are a nation, settling your trade deficit, or exchanging millions per transaction.

Budman

You may want to take a few Euros with you before you depart, but you will be taking a beating on the exchange rate and commissions charged in the U.S. if you exchange large amounts .

I always get mine from the ATM's. At the airport, or they are all over the place, and user friendly. I use my check card and my credit card. Make sure you have a 4-digit pin. I've heard that the 6-digit pin can be a bit of trouble.

jody

The last thing I ever use to get cash is a credit card1 It is a cash advance and you pay a whopping fee! I get 200 Euro or so before I leave..since I charge everything there , I usually don't have to get anymore. I know I could do it at the airport but all I want after I get off the plane is my luggage and a taxi!

_Julie_

I agree with Budman - I usually will take about 100euro with me but other than that I only use my ATM or credit cards, I don't even bother with traveller's cheques anymore.
I found that I get the best exchange out of an ATM.

Dave

My vote is with Julie and Budman as well....
OTOH: I've learned (through personal experience!) that not having ANY Euros, or Pounds, or whatever with you when you land can be a headache......

It's really not a bad idea to have some (maybe 100 or so) with you when you land so that in the event a "convenient" ATM is "broken" !!, you can still get whatever you might need and not waste time. You might pay some commission or exchange fee at your local bank, but we're talking about a couple of dollars!!

The headache of not having any is thereby eliminated and the beginning of the trip is not its own headache!
Best wishes for a great trip! Dave

suze

I take a ATM card, U.S. cash, and travelers checks (and a charge card for emergencies only). I wait until I arrive, then immediately at the airport get cash using one of the above three methods.

JEFF_

I usually like to have some foreign currency when I arrive. In pre-Euro Austria, I found that none of the ATM's at the Vienna train station were operating. I then noticed that the exchange booth with poor rates was the same bank that had the ATM's. Coincidence? It just meant a long wait to get Austrian schillings.

Natalia

I agree, I have learned from experience to take some local currency with me. Twice I have encountered broken ATM machines in the air ports, and I needed cash for taxi, tips just to get to the hotel. Also, depending on your arrival time you may want to grab something to eat or have a coffee. I would rather take 100Euro just to avoid hassles when I get off of a long flight and just want to get to the hotel.

rex

I did not mean my answer to imply that I disagree with a little bit of local currency in hand, whether going to Italy or outside the EMU. But a hundred ought to do.