Hi,
I would be reaching FCO airport in Rome on a Wednesday night around 7:30pm. Are there ATM's in the airport where i can withdraw some cash safely? Or do I wait till next morning until the banks open?
Also, is there a chance that the airport atm's might be skimmed?
ATM's work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Chances of getting skimmed are similar to other places, perhaps less as airports are busy at all times and have cameras, making it more difficult to attach the skimmer and retrieve it later without being caught.
I don't understand the "Or do I wait till next morning until the banks open?" comment. Unless you have an account, the only way you can withdraw cash is through an ATM (cash machine), the bank being open or closed makes no difference. Most banks do not change money either.
I flew into FCO in March, from Philadelphia, and there was an ATM in the corridor between the plane and immigration. I used it with my Credit Union ATM card with no problem. No additional charges either except for the 1% VISA network fee.
FCO is a large, modern airport, and there are plenty of safe ATMs open throughout, including in the arrivals areas near baggage claim. Try to avoid ATMs directly attached to or next to a currency exchange desk, as they might give you a slightly poorer exchange rate than other ATMs.
If you're worried about skimming (which could happen anywhere in the world, Italy isn't especially risky), just take a close look at the card slot, and perhaps touch it to see if anything is loose. 99.9% chance, you'll be just fine.
There are bank ATM's in the arrivals area of terminal 3. With the amount of security around I can’t see anyone successfully installing a skimmer. The ATM's are after you leave the baggage claim area. Remember in Italy they are Bankomats, not ATM's.
I am glad you asked this question because I was wondering as well. I will be flying into FCO in early May and a private driver will be waiting just outside customs and I needed to know if an ATM was available before I meet him because I have to pay him cash Euros but, Rick says do not exchange money before landing!! Thanks for the information everyone, another first timer to Europe helped :)
Walking through terminal 3, there are a few non-bank owned ATM's that will not give you the same rate as a bank's ATM. And, of course, they look suspiciously like they're legit. The bank machines are located near baggage claim and the exits to the terminal.
Thank you Philip!!
