ATM's

ATMs are everywhere -- around the world. They even out number Starbucks locations !!

In Italy two things will stick out as prevelent to the point of being annoying - ATMs and cell phones.

Even in medieval town centers, there will be an ATM somewhere (more likely lots of somewheres).

Airports and train stations have multiple ATMs.

Brad--don't forget Vespas! (Replaced in Orvieto by mini station wagons...)

Linda,

You shouldn't have any trouble finding at least one ATM in most towns in Italy. Even in tiny Riomaggiore, there were at least two of them in the plaza next to the Rail station.

One point to mention, is that your funds must be in a chequing account with a four-number PIN. You also might want to review your daily withdrawal limit with your Bank (keeping in mind this will include foreign currency exchange).

Happy travels!

Good advice from everyone. And they're called "bancomat" in Italy, not ATMs. If you have time before you go, you can set up a Capital One money market account that doesn't charge fees for withdrawals in international ATMs. And be sure to let your banks and credit card companies know that you're going to be abroad and using their cards. Otherwise you risk them shutting them down.

Hi Linda....as everyone has already mentioned ATM's are everywhere in Italy! Just keep in mind that regardless of your daily allowable withdrawl amount you have organized with your bank at home the maximum amount that you can withdraw in one transaction from an ATM in Italy is 250 Euro. Now, you can make multiple withdrawls, one after another, to get up to your daily allowable amount set back at home, but each 250 Euro withdrawl is considered ONE transaction therefore you will be charged a transaction fee by your home bank for each and every transaction you do.
We were in Italy last fall and we traveled all over the country but we weren't able to find one ATM that would allow us to withdraw more than 250 euro per transaction. Our bank back home charged us $5/transaction; therefore, altho we could do 2 transactions ea. time to withdraw a total of 500 euro/day, our bank at home would then charge us $10 ($5 x2). So, my best advice to you would be to try and find a bank at home with the minimum fee per international transaction - or even better, no international transaction fees like the Capital One account mentioned earlier.
Happy travels, Candace

The thing many people, even here, don't understand about ATMs in Europe is: when you insert your card, your photo is taken, and if the machine sees that you're wearing shorts, it eats your card.

I have posted before that one should be careful about assuming that your personal experiences are universally true. You MAY be charged for your withdraws -- not WILL. It is your card issuer (generally your bank - not always) that determines the fees to be charged SO ASK your bank. Some issuers will charge a mix of currency conversion fees (maybe 1 to3%) and/or a transaction fee. My bank only charges a $2/transaction. Second I have found many ATMs in Italy that have higher limits than 250E. I believe that ATMs in heavy tourist areas and on the weekend/holidays may be limited to the 250 number often quoted. However, we try to avoid those machine. As a rule, we will only use an ATM attached to a bank during open hours. That way, if we have any problems (eats the card, etc.) then one of us guards the machine and the other goes into the bank to solve the problem. In all the years we have used ATMs we have never had to do that. Maybe overkill. I think those terminals may have higher limits because the ATMs are easier to refill. Also, prior to using the ATM, run your finger across the card entry slot to make sure nothing else is in the slot. And be sure that there are no additional attachments, brochure holders, etc. on the face or on the wall next to the ATMS. If there are, find another one.

Frank, why the warning about "And be sure that there are no additional attachments, brochure holders, etc. on the face or on the wall next to the ATMS. If there are, find another one"?

The one documented scam for stealing your card and pin number is to insert a plastic sleeve into the card reader slot with a small string/plastic tap just barely grabable at the edge of the slot. That is why you run your finger across the slot. Then they will attach a brochure box or anything to hide a micro lens to capture your pin number. You put your card in, enter pin number but nothing happens. Your card isn't returned and your leave. The next person pulls the sleeve with your card out and they have your pin number.

Frank's advice is good practice anywhere in the world, not just Italy. The first I heard of this scam was in an episode of CSI:Miami about 6 years ago!

Kent,

An update. The shorts rule was overturned a few years ago. Now if you aren't talking on a cell phone, it eats your card.

One trick I learned. Before using any ATM in Italy, make sure that you witness someone else using it before you do and that the machine worked and gave their card back.