Euro??

You'll get a better rate from the ATMs in Rome than changing at your local bank but I always like to have a couple hundred Euro (or whatever money for the country I am visiting) so I can get from the airport to my hotel and buy a meal before I have to hit the ATM. You'll get a variety on responses on that so do what works for you.

Use ATM machines in Rome

Will ATM's at FCO airport charge the same as throughout the rest of Rome?

It depends which one you use. Try to stick with a bank ATM as opposed to Travelex. Even if there is a fee, it will be less than buying Euros ahead of time (that's for sure). You really don't need to withdraw a lot at the airport...just enough to get you into town, which should be a small amount. Once you're in Rome you can use any of the city's ATMs.

Avoid the DCC dynamic currency conversion option as it generally will offer a poor exchange rate.

I've got a 20 Euro note and 10 in coins leftover from my last trip.. That's all I need before hitting up the ATM at the airport. I never buy Euros from my bank in the US

In Italy you'd better avoid Unicredit Bank ATMs, it seems they have recently started to charge a 3 € fee.

I sold 200 euros to a friend that went to Rome. Little did I know I'd lose $20 with the currency value of the U.S. Dollar down 10% since April.

"In Italy you'd better avoid Unicredit Bank ATMs, it seems they have recently started to charge a 3 € fee." Not to worry for some of us as certain banks rebate such fees.

Look for a Bancomat kiosk rather than a Change or Exchange kiosk.

All bank owned ATMs will give you exactly the same exchange rate at the moment you use the ATM. It is possible that your card issuer will add additional fees - that is not uncommon -- but even if they do add fees it will still be cheaper than obtaining currency in the US prior to departure. Those fees will be substantially higher. Using a debit card at a bank owned ATM is the best and cheapest practice.