Credit Cards in Italy

Both Visa & Mastercard are widely accepted everywhere in Italy. Any establishment that displays those logos HAS to accept your card. The only thing you won't be able to do is use automated, self-serve card locations such as pay-at-the-pump gas stations and ticket vending machines in train stations. These almost always require chip-and-pin cards. Your Visa/Mastercard-branded debit card will work at any ATM.

It is some automated ticket machines the US based card will not work. There are many of the old ticket machines around that will accept your card. But they are being slowly replace. We have drifted more and more to cash. On our last two trips we only used a credit card near the end as we managed cash.

One other thing is to be sure and call your credit card companies and tell them you're going to Italy. Otherwise they might put a block on your card(s) when they see a foreign transaction.

Thank you for your reply's and information. So there was an article about trains http://www.roninrome.com/transportation/buying-train-tickets-updated There was a picture of the old machines. I should look for those machines when purchasing train tickets? Thanks again! Looking forward to seeing Italy. Robert

If you cannot find a machine that will accept your credit card, simply go to the ticket booth and use your credit card there or pay cash. In Italy, although they are starting to switch to chip and pin, it is not as much of a problem as in France, etc. That being said, besides large shopping purchases (oops!) I just used an ATM every few days and paid cash for most of my purchases. Non chip cards shouldn't be an issue outside of train stations, you will be fine in restaurants, etc. That being said, make sure you let your credit card provider know (like others have said) and make sure it is a VISA or MASTERCARD. No Discover or AmEx, those will rarely be accepted.