Is there a place to exchange my dollars for euros inside the Pisa airport after I land? If so, is there any reason why I would not want to exchange my money there?
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
If you're bringing dollars in cash (or even worse, travellers cheques,) then you'll get a poorer rate of exchange at the money booths than you will if you leave your money at home in the bank and use an ATM card. Dozens of items on various ATM cards and their fees have been posted in recent weeks....you can pull them up with the search function.
Posted by
Honolulu/Seattle, HI/WA, USA
2787 posts
I sure second what Norm posted - I go to Europe every summer and have never taken US $ along and always used ATMs at the arrival airport with no problems.
Posted by
OP
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
48 posts
We need to pay for our apartment in Cinque Terre in cash (euros)on the day of our arrival to CT, the same day we land in Pisa. We can only withdrawal $500 dollars per day from our account. We asked our bank for an increase and they said that they couldn't or wouldn't. The cost of the apartment is 450Euros for the six nights. If we wait to withdrawal money from the ATM at the airport when we land, that would only give us about 317Euros. I would need about $210 more dollars to make up for the difference. Anyway- I know it's probably easier to do the ATM thing, we just had this individual situation where we cannot get more money out, therefore I need to know where we can exchange money at the airport. Any suggestions?
One more question - I get slapped with a $3.50 charge from our bank alone for withdrawals, how would you suggest I get cash but do not accrue too many unnecessary fees?
Thanks!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Tennille, based on your immediate cash Euro need, it is not unreasonable to bring Euros with you. We had to do the same. We knew that the cash that we could immediately amass from the ATM would not be enough. We went to our bank and paid the 5% to buy 500Euros. The exchange rate at the currency exchange booths at the airport is much worse. Worse yet are the exchange booths at the major tourist sites (30%-35%). I suggest that you bite the bullet and pay the $40-$50 in fees to the bank here in the U.S.
Posted by
Wichita
831 posts
Tennille,
To answer your question see http://www.pisa-airport.com/sat/cda/aree/index.php?idArea=6&idSection=15
Other options:
Check with your bank, often the withdrawal limit is per card not per account. So a husband and wife with a joint account and each has a card can each withdraw the maximum amount.
Open another checking account at a different bank. Put half your vacation money in this account and you have doubled the amount you can withdraw. This can have many advantages. A back up card is always a good idea, stuff happens. You may be able to find a bank with a better (lower) fee schedule.