Does anyone know the approximate percentage difference between buying euros at an Italian Bank and using an ATM. Current news reports as to suspension of international ATM withdrawls by several US banks have me concerned about relying on ATM's in Italy. Is there a difference in the exchange rate, a commission, or both? Is it on the order of 1-3 %, or something greater. I checked a Banca Roma website, but if the information is there I could not find it.

If it's like in France very few banks change money anymore - you have to go to private changers like in train stations or the post office (i speaking of France) - my French relatives say very few banks change money since the advent of the euro. American Express probably does however.

Both -- bad exchange rate plus a commission. My guess is 5% would be the minimum it would cost you.

I can't give you exact figures especially for Italy but in general in say the UK I have found the rates for cash to be about 8 to 10% worse than the rates on an ATM and then on top of that many banks add exchange fees....you might see in a bank window something like this USD buy $1.92 Sell $1.57...that would mean the interbank rate is right in between as that is the way, obviously, the bank makes money.

You might ask at your hotel. Some hotels will give guests a good exchange rate with no extra charges; and some won't. They usually have pretty low limits on the amount they'll exchange.

Hi flinn, although CitiBank has cancelled customers ATM cards for Canada, GB and Russia I believe I haven't read anything about there being in a problem in Italy.

But in any case I always take two ATM cards from two different financial institutions. If you are concerned you might think about opening up a checking account at a bank other than where you bank now. Many people have said that credit unions are a good place to use as the fees evidently are not as high for their ATM's as most banks.