Hi, we'll be arriving next Monday at Venice airport. Which ATM machine should we use? Have read different suggestions and want to make sure I use the right one. Also, if we cannot make it to the ATM machine at the airport can we tip the water taxi driver in dollars?
Thank you.
Try to find one that says ‘Bancomat’.
I would find out if your bank partners with a bank in Italy. Example: Bank of America partners with BNL, so you could use those ATM machines.
You do not tip the water taxi driver, particularly not with dollar notes.
Nor offer a carton of Luckies or some nylons.
You don't tip the water taxi driver because the driver is the water taxi owner and he owns the medallion, the company linked to that medallion and the boat. Imho, You shouldn't tip anyone in Italy.
Anyway, He wouldn't know what to do with dollars, what would a NYC cabbie do with Euros?
You have time to get some euros before you leave
At your bank or AAA
It won’t cost you much but will eliminate the stress of looking for a correct ATM when you arrive in a jet lagged condition
$100-200 euros should last you long enough til you can get more once settled
As said above, no need to tip anyone for anything in Italy
It is not expected and just not done
THe VCE ATM may have a lower withdraw limit than that of your financial institution. If the ATM declines your withdrawal request, try a lower amount.
hey hey idblaschke
i totally agree with Christine H. get a few euros here in the states at your bank or AAA. i always get about 100-200E here to just be on the safe side, and the fee was about $25 or less. get small bills (5, 10 ,20).
many airports have gone to travelex machines which charge a big fee, more than the fee at the bank. when you get into venice you can always look the the ATM/bancomat and get more. when withdrawing from ATM ask for an odd number (80, 85, 90 or 95) so you will get a mix of bills, asking for 100E most likely get a 100E bill!! ouch been there done that.
i learned my lesson once was all it took. got off plane in rome along with 4 other flights, everyone running to machine, one broken other had long lines waiting. could run out of money to dispense and not many happy people.
do you have the water taxi booked? NO tipping in US dollars, what's he going to do with those dollars, wait till he takes a trip to USA?
have a great vacation in venice, i love that place, just get lost and find your way again.
aloha
Thank you so much for your tips!
Just to confirm what others have said, get a couple of hundred Euros from your bank. This is what I do whenever we head to Europe. Nowadays I rarely use cash, just like in the States everything is credit card. BTW, inform your card holders you'll be traveling to Europe. They'll make a note and make sure your account isn't flagged and your card suspended.
ID
Yes, by all means tip in USD. The driver will have no trouble changing into Euros. Local Camorra, Ndrangheta or similar will look after him. They have an unsatiable appetite for USD. (applies throughout Italy) May already be paying them a fee for security protection.
The water taxi he owns will be the equivalent cost of a Bentley or Roller in London. The medallion, Dario references, in all probability, has a value far greater than the house and 401k and other assets of most posters on these blogs. The medallions are tightly controlled. If it makes one feel good to tip in addition to paying circa $120USD per hour, do it.
Two of my favourite airlines, Emirates and Qatar, use Marco Polo airport. It is a delightful airport that suits my arrival and departure times.
Regards Ron
