Getting spending money
 

What is the best way to have spending money on a trip to Italy? Traveller's checks? I understand that credit cards may be used for cash advances at teller machines as long as you have a PIN. How about debit cards? I'm assuming that plain vanilla ATM cards won't work. I'd rather not carry more than a nominal amount of US dollars with me. Thanks for any advice you can give!

"Plain Vanilla" ATM cards do work.

Renee -- Getting cash advances on your credit card is one of the MOST expensive ways to get local currency.<BR><BR>Check with your bank to be sure your ATM card will work in Europe, and ask them if they charge a transaction fee and how much it is. They will tell you their fee, and also that the other bank may charge a fee, but in fact, European banks do not charge a fee for withdrawals using a US bank ATM card. <BR><BR>Your ATM card will probably have several network logos on it, like Star or Cirrus. All you have to do is find an ATM with that same symbol in Italy. It's pretty easy. The screen will come up with a bunch of flags and you press the British flag for "English" and all further instructions will be in English.<BR><BR>You can make withdrawals as frequently as you like, keeping in mind that you may be charged a transaction fee (by your bank) each time. Also, whatever cash limit you have in the US will apply in Italy as well. <BR><BR>As a back-up, just in case, I would take maybe 100 dollars, either in bills or travelers checks. And if you don't want to deal with any of this as soon as you arrive, get some Euros in advance. You'll pay a horrendous rate for them, but the convenience is sometimes worth it.

Thanks very much for being so helpful! This is the first time I've used these postings, and I appreciate your patience in answering what must be a common question!

Renee -- You know, it IS a commonly asked question, but I figure we all have to take turns answering the commonly asked questions every once in a while. <BR><BR>The ability to make direct withdrawals from your checking account through an ATM in another country is SUCH an improvement over travelers' checks that I am delighted to let people know about it. <BR><BR>Have a fabulous trip. Just being in Italy makes me happy.

Renee,<BR>we took some euro cash, credit card, debit card and travellers cheques to Italy. We had trouble using the TC - shops and hotels wouldn't take them and in desperation we ended up cashing them in banks which is a time consuming operation! Plus some banks would only cash 2 TC at a time. They are OK for emergencies but I wouldn't bother next time.<BR>Kay