by Letsgo » Sun May 06, 2007 7:14 am
Leave the Travelers Checks at home. Nobody will cash them anywhere.
All you need in Italy is a credit card,Visa or Mastercard and an ATM card. Use the credit card for major purchases and the ATM for cash. Do not carry a large sum of cash with you. Get an under your clothes waist pack or neck pouch for security.
The best way to get cash is from ATMs.The exchange rate is better at ATMs then anywhere else and the ATM are everywhere.You just enter the amount you want in Euros and you get the local money back. I think 1 euro is about 1.37 USD today. In Europe they do not charge to use the ATM so the only charge you will have is what your own bank charges. Mine charges !.00 to use an ATM that is not at my bank. Doesn't matter if I am in the USA or Europe,cost is the same. Your PIN needs to be 4 digits and your money should be in your checking account,not savings. You CANNOT access a savings account from ATMs in Europe! Be sure you notify your bank that you will be traveling in Europe so they don't put a stop on your card when they see the foreign transactions come through!
There has been many other posts on here regarding the use of ATMs in Europe. Using the "search" function at the top of the page you will be able to locate them.
Happy travels!