Heathrow ATM Euros
 

Arriving LHR then taking flight to Catani. Any ATMs in terminal 2 that dispense Euros?
I suspect there are ATMs at Catania airport but have never been there

Something tells me that AMTs in London are not going to offer euros.
What's wrong with an ATM in Catania airport?
When is the first time, after arrival at CAT, that you will need to use euros, instead of credit card?
If you are just taking a taxi to a hotel you can pay with credit card and then find a nearby ATM in Catania later on.....

I was able to withdraw euros at an ATM in terminal 5 last year. I don’t have specific info on Term 2 but would suspect it’s also available as term 2 has euro bound flights.

I 'think' getting € from an LHR cash machine would be sort of a version of DCC and would entail fees. I assume you are leaving from a gateway airport in the States so I'd probably just convert a few $ to € at a Bureau de Change at your departure airport - not a lot, just enough to get you through the first day or so. Because you can get them fee-less in Sicily (other than what your bank would charge for any out-of-system withdrawal anywhere)

I have about 50 pounds and 20 Euros but it turns out my partner has 70 Euros and 30 pounds so we should be ok for bus or taxi to Ortegia

The Catania airport website shows an ATM. It doesn't state who it belongs to. Might be an expensive third party

Getting euros in Heathrow is probably more expensive. If you need them get the minimum you think you need and wait until you arrive to get more. You may find you don't actually need much cash anyway. Many countries, even cash loving ones like Germany accept cards more post Covid. Some are almost cashless now.

We never got euros or pounds on our last europe trip. Atm at Heathrow wasn’t working and then we realized that no one wanted cash once we were in london. Same in Paris. Used Apple Pay or cc everywhere.

We took the Interbus between Siracusa bus station (near Ortigia) and Catania Airport last year and paid with a credit card - other direction but that shouldn't matter. IIRC, buses run every 30 minutes or so.

If you have enough to get to town then get more euros when you get into town. I wouldn't even consider getting them in London as I believe it would be very expensive.

In the last several of years I have barely needed cash in Europe. That said, cabbies in Rome were a bit snitty when I wanted to use a card. They will take them, but I had to insist. Except for that, I found that everyone takes cards without resistance.

Upgraded to Polaris for $1400 so we were first off plane. Plane arrive LHR 30 minutes late at 0800 due to some tech issues. 15 minute wait at immigration . Not quite as easy in Terminal 2 as at 8pm at night where there was no wait. Might have been worse if we were in the back of a 300 passenger plane. Walked quickly through the terminal and looked at one ATM that would give Euros for L 2.5. Decided against as we were in a hurry to try to catch a Lufthansa flight at 0930 to Catania on a separate ticket. Our tickets were for 1345 but we supposedly had flex fares and could take earlier flights for no charge but they did charge us L50 each for the change. Worth it to get to Catania at 1600 rather than 2000. No bank ATMs at Catania Terminal A. One Visa machine and one Travelex with 4 Euro charge. Taking bus now to Siracusa.

Have a great trip.

I very seldom get local currency any more before a trip. I live in euro-land, but I travel to the US frequently. On my last few trips I didn't use cash at all. This summer we're going to Norway, and don't plan to get cash.

You probably can pay for your tax in Italy with a card, but do check.

MJS--Thank you for all the details. We all forget that in a basically cashless society, there are places where cash still works best. I make fun of my husband's household currency horde (pulling that dresser drawer out is like doing 30 bench presses and OMG, he still has French francs and Italian lira), but darn it, it's been a godsend in situations like yours. I'm so happy you each had your "mini-horde".

Please keep the posts coming, although as you know, under this title, people are still going to be giving you advice because they never realize you solved the problem. :)
My best,
AZ

I was in Norway last month and also last year. Upon arrival last year, I asked the guy at the hotel if I should get cash. He said only if you're buying drugs. 😀 Needless to say, I never got any cash on either trip.

We actually do find sporadic need for cash in Europe. Driving through Norway last year we came upon some baked goods near a farm where you left cash in a basket to pay for what you took. We often take a “free” tour where one tips at the end. Last in Copenhagen I think. We sometimes tip at hotels. Do not tip in Japan though