obtaining euros on arrival in Italy

Will we be able to obtain that much at once from an ATM in the airport?

Maybe, probably, it depends.

All financial institutions (your bank at home, the ATM owner) have their limits. You should find out what your own bank's limit is.

Easy solution: Bring along more than one ATM card (linked to different bank accounts). Very easy if not traveling solo. If going it alone, may require more advance planning/setup.

Never rely on a single card (ATM/Debit card, credit card) when traveling. Always have working alternatives (tested and ready) for any plastic.

It may depend on your banks daily withdrawal limit. I suggest you obtain the Euros in the US before leaving. This is what we did with our Rome apartment that wanted the balance in cash. Any cash required for the entire trip I had envelopes prepared with the cash so I could just hand it to them. What if the ATM is down at the airport? What if your card does not work or get captured?

For some reason you don't name the airport, but I'm always disappointed how few ATMs there are in most airports. Like the US, I imagine they have to pay the airport authority to put up the ATM, and that keeps other banks out. I personally use hotels, so I never have to pay in cash in advance.

You don't give the day of the week or the time of day, but it should be easy to chose from dozens of ATMs in Florence itself. It's rare for a bank to allow more than 500 Euros per day, and you have to choose an amount in dollars, most likely. You should have already researched what your banks' policies are, and whether you can change this online, or at (their own) ATM in the US. I agree this is a high-stakes issue for you, which is why I propose Florence. Of course, if you're taking a cab to a residential-only area, there won't be any walkable banks.

You write "We are traveling..." Are you a couple with a joint account ? if so, then you should be able to get an ATM/Debit card in each of your names - and each card, while tied to the account, will have a slightly different number. And it should be that each card independently has the same daily limit from the back account, thus doubling what you can withdraw. It is hard to imagine that your combined limit will not cover 600 euro on that first day. That you may have to make multiple withdrawals from an ARTm because of the ATMs limit does not affect what your bank will allow.

If you cannot get this set-up with your bank, I can tell you that accounts with Schwab and CapitalOne will get you two individual cards.

(And as a last resort, your lodging would likely allow you to get them the final 100 euro the next morning if you have a limit issue.)

One thing to add. Watch the ATM. I noticed especially in Italy many Euro Net machines. Their conversion rates are more like the Currency Exchange rates. Really bad. Look for the bank machines found usually in the lobby of the bank or on the street. They're few then before or that might just be my imagination. Ask at the airport. Please avoid the exchange booth if you can.

I think this is one case where you might bite the bullet and get Euros in the US. You will be handing over the money within a couple of hours from arrival. Talk to your bank asap to see if they can supply Euros and buy a money belt or something to carry them in tucked away out of sight - pickpockets operate in the US too and a bulging wallet is easy to lose, fall out of pocket etc.

if you get my often-recommended Charles Schwab no-fee account, they might not have a withdrawal limit. Or you might be able to go to two ATMs, or go on two different days. Ask them.

We landed in Rome. Luckily, we had converted some euros through our bank with a pretty decent rate. We were worried that the ATM's would be out of service, etc and we needed cash to pay for our ride to the hotel. Lucky that we did because the lines at the cash stations and currency exchange was quite long at the airport. We had no problem accessing money on our trip through bank-related ATMs.

Can you not just pay the place direct into their bank account? That's how most of us operate these days outside the USA - checks have disappeared and I can understand small businesses not wanting the cost of card transactions

Sorry Lissie, but that option is not available to us Americans with our "state-of-the-art" banking system:-)

We were told by one of the guides to be aware that if an ATM doesn't seem to be working right the first time, don't try more than 2 times or the machine might take your card. Go to a different ATM location.

Thank you for all the quick and thoughtful replies!

Look into getting a wise.com debit card - allows you to have foreign curency balances (that's how I buy when the rate is good) - but also allows you to use to easily pay others in their currency.

It works for Americans - as I've had Americans pay me into too - the US bank thinks its a normal US bank account!

Be sure to use an ATM attached to an actual open bank.
they could help if your card is eaten.

Do NOT use one out on the open street, but find one inside the glass lobby or actually in the bank itself.
Less chance of someone hovering nearby waiting to "help" you.

Airport ATM's are very often not affiliated with actual banks.
It shouldn't be too hard to get Euro before you leave home??
Much safer, then you get to try out your under-clothing new money belts that I hope you have bought.