The official currency of Italy is the euro, but the country is still somewhat of a cash-based economy. You won’t always pay in cash, as there are shops and merchants in Italy that are well-equipped to accept card payments — Visa and Mastercard are more common than American Express.
Look for a card that doesn’t charge for international ATM withdrawals or currency conversion, and you’ll have a vacation without paying numerous extra fees — the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a great choice for this. Once your wallet is prepared, enjoy what is arguably one of the most beautiful countries on Earth.
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Credit cards and debit cards with travel features are as suitable for a trip to Italy and Europe as a prepaid travel money card. Use your Visa or Mastercard in Italy without issue, though American Express typically has a higher surcharge and isn’t as commonly accepted. Use your card to pay for train tickets, souvenirs at gift shops, hotels, trattorias (Italian eateries) and more.
You’ll need cash for street food, taxis, tour guides and purchases under 10 or 20 euros. When you compare cards, look for a product that lets you forego the foreign ATM transaction fee.
A combination of travel money is the best approach for spending in Italy. Take more than one way to withdraw cash, as there have been claims that Italian ATMs can be temperamental with foreign cards. You don’t want to be in a foreign country without access to money if one of your cards is lost or stolen.
Make your vacation memorable for all the right reasons and travel with peace of mind that you’re getting the most from your budget with a travel card, credit card or debit card.
A credit card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card lets you make over-the-counter purchases without paying foreign transaction fees. Be aware: Interest applies immediately when you use your card for cash advances at an ATM — avoid this unless absolutely necessary.
Some travel-friendly credit cards also offer perks such as complimentary international travel insurance and purchase protection guarantees. Different travel cards offer various benefits, so compare your options beforehand.
Mastercard and Visa are most widely accepted in Italy, but some large establishments accept American Express and Discover cards as well.
| Merchant acceptance | ATM acceptance | |
|---|---|---|
| Visa |  High | High |
| Mastercard | High | High |
| American Express |  Medium | High |
| Discover | Medium | High |
Explore top debit cards with no foreign transaction fees and travel credit cards by using the tabs to narrow down your options. Select Compare for up to four products to see their benefits side by side.
A travel debit card that waives the fee for currency conversion, or the fee for international ATM withdrawals, with no annual fee, is ideal. For example, Betterment Checking reimburses all charges associated with foreign transaction fees and international ATM fees.
Research if your bank is part of the Global ATM Alliance to find out if you can make cash withdrawals for free. If not, you can access cash in Italy for roughly the same price as at home.
Preload a travel card with euros and avoid the fees that usually go hand in hand with international purchases. Compare these cards by their ATM fees, initial load and reload fees.
Some ATMs in Italy don’t charge an ATM operator fee. Choose a product that waives the international ATM withdrawal fee, so you should have no problem accessing your money at Italian bancomat machines.
Italy is a cash-based society compared to other major European economies: Cash is king.
Use your card in almost as many places as you would in the US and other countries. But Italy generally seems reluctant to let go of cash as payment for things like rent, food, clothing and so on.
Traveler’s checks have become a financial product of the past. Many banks in Italy refuse to cash them, so don’t bother with this travel money product.
Predicting the movements of currency pairs is difficult, but you can lock in the exchange rate on a travel card if you believe euros will be more expensive to buy in the future.
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There’s no limit to the amount of foreign currency you can bring into Italy or the eurozone. However, you’ll have to declare your cash if you plan to enter or leave the country with over €10,000. You have the following options for purchasing euros in the US.
A quick comparison of bank and nonbank providers shows that if you use the foreign cash services of a company like Travelex, you’ll end up with a few extra dollars. Nonbank providers like Travelex have locations in major airports where you can collect your euros before you depart the country.
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The best way to get cash in Italy is to make an ATM withdrawal when you arrive. The Visa or Mastercard exchange rate applies and is better than any rate you’re likely to get exchanging currency at an exchange office or a bank.
Italian bank ATMs are called bancomats, and some don’t charge a local ATM operator fee — but avoid using independent ATMs. These third-party ATMs charge like a wounded bull, and it’ll be obvious which ATMs are affiliated with a bank and which aren’t. A debit card that waives some of these ATM fees, like the one from Betterment Checking, are a good way of sidestepping this issue.
The summer season premiums — late June, July and August— will add to the cost of an Italian trip. However, prices drop dramatically off-season. The cost of vacationing typically depends on where you are in the country.
In smaller towns, especially in the South, Italy is surprisingly affordable. In the middle of the country, the north and especially in tourist places like Rome, Venice and Milan, expenses can run high.
A quick summary of travel money options in Italy. All prices are in US dollars.
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meals | Trapizzino: $4 Sandwich: $3 – $5 | Dinner for two with wine $70 | 5-star restaurant $100 – $600 |
| Activities | Colosseum entry $14 | Rome and Colosseum half day walking tour $60 | Imperial Rome golf cart tour $215 |
| Accomodation | Camping in Rome $12 per night | 2-star hotel in Rome $70 – $140 per night | 5-star hotel in Rome $180 – $600 per night |
Prices are for example purposes only.
Do you have any travel money tips for Italy?
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Hi Albert,
Thanks for reaching out.
Here at finder we are unable to make recommendations, we can offer general advise.
You can use the table above to compare travel insurance quotes from a range of insurers. The table should allow you to compare features between companies. Should you need additional details, you may go ahead and click on more info or go to site.
Cheers,
Joanne