Euros and Travelers Checks

Read http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/cash-machine-atm-tips.htm

As it has been posted a hundred plus times, the cheapest and most convenient way to obtain local currency is via a debit card at a bank owned ATM. It doesn't get any easier or simpler. Some argue that you can get what you need at the airport ATM. Personally prefer to take a hundred or so Euro from the US so I don't have to find that airport ATM but either way works. TCs have been useless for a couple of decades.

I went over with 0 euro. There was a bank atm at the Milan Airport I used before getting our train tickets to town. No need for TC's, if anyone even accepts those anymore. One good suggestion someone gave me on this board before my trip was to pull out odd amounts of Euro. Go 490 instad of 500. That way you get some small bills as most of the ATMs gave me 50s. It was nice to have a 10,20 to pay for some small items. Some bank atm's actually wouldn't let me enter a odd amount so I put in a even 500. Also get a good bank with no/low fees and conversion rates like a Credit Union or Schwab.

What are travelers' checks? Use your credit card and ATM card. Get euros at any ATM (Bancomat) when you get there. They are all over the place, just like in the US. Actually more ubiquitous because Italy has way too many bank branches. Notify your bank and credit cards you will be traveling abroad or they'll block your card to prevent fraud as soon as they see an international transaction.

Carla, Traveller's Cheques are a "dinosaur product" and very few people use them any more. These days it's difficult to find places to cash them, so they're not exactly "convenient". As the others have said, the easiest and quickest way to obtain cash is via ATM's (Bancomats in Italy). They operate just the way they do here, and have an English language option. Note that your travel funds must usually be in a chequing account with a four-number PIN (funds will typically be accessed from your "primary" account, and you can ask your Bank which one that is for you). As well as notifying each of your Banks and credit card firms, it's a good idea to review your daily withdrawal limit. However, one point to note is that the European Banks will supersede the limit set by your Bank. I'd highly recommend packing along a "backup" ATM card, in case of any problems with your primary card (I've had that happen!). I like to pack along €50 - 100 cash on the trip, to pay for coffee, meals or Taxi fare until I get settled in my first location. I usually have money left over from the previous trip, so that's what I use. Happy travels!

Agree with all. I travel quite a bit to Europe for work, so I usually have 10-15 euros hanging around the house. I don't bother to bring anything more than i have laying around. I hit the airport ATM when I get there. I have been to Europe maybe 35 times over the past few years, and have not had any issues at all. Glenn

If you stood on a streetcorner in Italy blindfolded and tossed a cooked piece of spaghetti in a random direction, there is a 51.7% chance it would stick to the side of a nearby ATM. Kidding aside, there are plenty of ATMs. And most of them work. I arrived in Italy last year with no dollars and no euros, only debit and credit cards. Travelers checks? Most youngsters nowadays think you're referring to what the TSA does.

I think the question you're actually asking is how to keep your money safe. I usually rent apartments when I travel to Europe, and most require cash on arrival for the balance, so I usually get 800 or so euros from my local bank bafore I leave. I use a "neck wallet" (actually a small light-weight envelope shaped flat pouch) which you can buy almost anywhere now, and keep my credit cards, debit card, and most of my money in it, and wear it under my blouse. I put my day money (less than 50) and my coins in a coin purse in my purse. I am careful with my purse, and keep it tucked under my arm and zipped, and after many trips to Europe, I've never had a problem. Banks charge a fee for getting euros, so if you're going to stay in a hotel, your best bet is to get your euros from a bank atm at the airport from arrival. Personally, I would get a couple hundred. Keep in mind you'll probably pay around $1.40 per euro as of today. Call your banks/credit card cos. at least two weeks prior to leaving so they will know you're going to be using the cards there and they don't 'cut you off!'

I am right now in transit home following close to a month traveling to many places in the northern half of Italy. Used bank ATMs various times, in cities large and small, with no problems. And each time, the ATM automatically gave me a mix with smaller bills, so that even if I requested 500 euros, I would receive 8 bills of 50 euros, plus 5 of 20 euros, often with 10 or 5 euro notes as part of the mix. No need to request an odd amount.