As I'm thinking about my trip to Italy next year, I'm wondering how common e-payment/credit card tap is in restaurants, stores and transport (buses).
During my 2023 Scotland trip it was a breeze to tap everywhere and everywhere except where I had a very low value purchase ( 1 pound), I could have tapped for the entire trip. I took out money just in case and had to use it deliberately to use it up, since tap was ubiquitous.
I'm thinking that Italy may not be the same or am I wrong.
It was the same in Italy for us last October on the RS Venice-Florence-Rome Tour. I used my Apple Watch to "tap" away for almost all purchases. The best thing about using my watch is that I never had to reach for my phone or wallet.
Great to learn that! It sure is easier than having to sort through unfamiliar bills and coins.
In 2023 we tapped all the way from Venice to Milan, just like Fred Astaire. Less than €100 in cash for 3 weeks. Not so much on city busses though.
The notable exceptions are taxis, who sometimes asked for cash, though they're suppose to be able to accept credit cards. AND 10 Euro coins to light up paintings inside churches! We ran out of these, wished we'd brought more coins along.
I think most of your transactions will be tap, and if you are sticking to the areas an cities that have tourist traffic, all the more so.
Still, you need some cash, for backup if nothing else. Some report smaller vendors wanting cash for small purchases (a bottle of water), and while merchants are obligated to accept cards for larger purchases, you may run into a strong preference for cash. Of course, there is the situation where cabs will claim their "machine is broke" (Be firm, find another cab) and AirBnB and other private lets will wrangle for cash, even offering a discount, and guides seem to steer you toward cash.
Thanks Paul. CC fees eat into the profit from small purchases. I take public transport over taxis as much as possible . Quite sure I've been taken by taxis drivers at least once getting to the city from the airport.
I would add that all accommodation providers in Italy are required to collect a per person per night tourist tax, which is not included in their rates. Almost all AirBnB hosts, and many hotels, will ask for this in cash.
You may need cash for the following:
- To use a public restroom (1 euro per entry)
- To pay for the Imposta di Soggiorno (daily tourist tax) at hotels.
- To pay for small items especially from street vendors.
- To leave tips (if you are the type who likes to leave tips at restaurants) as tips cannot be added to the credit card.
- To use a taxi as somehow lots of taxi drivers have POS machines that are malfunctioning, sometimes since the early 2000s. Of course it's an excuse as they want to be paid cash since they are the biggest tax dodgers in Italy. If you want to use a card for a taxi make sure you make that clear before you board the taxi (just be aware the taxi driver may refuse service using the excuse of the malfunctioning POS machine). Never leave a tip to a taxi driver, not even a cent.
- As a back up to pay at automatic kiosks (for self serve gasoline or parking meters for example, since they often don't work with US cards)
- As a back up in case they steal your phone (which will likely happen if you keep your phone in your pants' back pocket half sticking out, as many find fashionable to do. Phones are the most prized rewards to pickpockets and purse snatchers).
