Does anyone know about being able to use your bank card in Italy? I will be living there for three months, starting in feb and need to know if it would be safer to use my bank card or if I should carry cash.

no problem using atm's. They are all over. better exchange rate also

Occasionally you may find a machine that refuses to accept your card or which announces that your card is not valid for international transactions -- happened to me several times in Italy a few weeks ago. Don't panic -- just keep trying different machines and one will work. There has been much advice on this forum about having a four-digit PIN, and I assume that's accurate (mine has four, so I never had to test the alternative). You might find out what your bank back home charges per transaction and consider shopping around. I took two cards, from two different accounts. The one from my credit union charged only 75 cents, whereas First Union charges $2.00 per transaction! That can mount up. But the exchange rate will be much better than travelers' checks or changing US currency.

Charlotte <BR>Some people have run into varying <BR>rules and regulations, so keep the following in mind. This info may not apply to every bank and every atm, but it comes in handy at least some of the time: <BR>have a 4-digit password not starting with zero; <BR>have the money in your checking account, <BR>you will not have the option at most atms of choosing which of your accounts, and checking seems to be the default; <BR>notify your bank in advance so they will not freeze your account for "unusual activity" while you are abroad. <BR>No need to carry more cash with you than just to get you from the airport to your hotel/apartment. <BR>Have a credit card for emergency back up, preferably VISA which is the most widely-accepted (but not the only one that is accepted) <BR>

Just make sure to find a bank at home that does NOT charge for withdraws! I travelled for three months and withdrew every day, as I needed to, because I had a bank that didn't charge for ATM withdraws, and had internet access so I could balance my account. It was www.mechbank.com , but I'm sure if you look hard enough you can find one near you that has the same services.