euros

I'd wait until you get there and get them from an ATM although if you think it will make you anxious not to have "money in your pocket" then get some before you go.

You may find you can use ApplePay or GooglePay 99% of the time in Italy. I even used it for 3E gelato.

What are you planning to use for transportation from which airport?

The common wisdom is to wait until you are there and use an ATM. I don’t do that. When I land feeling jet lagged and crummy I don’t want to be using an ATM at the airport. My brain fog and need for a shower trumps that. Some ATM’s there will be very expensive so you need to know which to use if that is what you choose to do. I like to land with 50-100 Euro in my pocket and, should I need more cash later I can visit an ATM in or attached to a bank when I’m awake and alert. Having said that, and having been to Spain and Italy the last three years, I still have pretty much that same 100 Euros. Europe is way ahead of us in becoming a cashless society. You certainly can use your credit card for a taxi from the airport and mostly everything you’ll need. Your debit card will be a backup should you need cash for some reason. Make sure it’s not linked to your main checking account should it be compromised. Don’t use it to charge anything! As far as exchange rates-if you needed 10,000 Euros, well, good luck. For the small amounts you need baring a collapse of the financial system it doesn’t matter.

I like to land with 50-100 Euro in my pocket and, should I need more cash later I can visit an ATM in or attached to a bank when I’m awake and alert.

Agree with Alan. The little bit extra it might cost you to get them before you leave is nothing compared to the overall cost of the trip. And it avoids trying to find an ATM, waiting to use it, hoping it works (malfunctions do happen), and doing so while tired, jet lagged, and on strange turf.

I don't think you're actually going to need cash when you land, but there should be plenty of ATMs available if you want some. But nothing wrong with getting some euros before you leave the US.

Check with your bank. Wells Fargo sells foreign currency to account holders; I was able to order online and pick it up at my neighborhood branch the next day. Good luck!

The top you might need is 55 or 60 euro if you take a taxi from Rome airport to the city center. But all vendors including taxicabs are obliged by law to accept digital/card payments for any transaction amount. With the famously 'tax-dodging' Italian taxi drivers make sure you make it clear that you need to pay with the credit card, so that their POS machine is not "momentarily out of service" (wink wink)

You can get maybe $80 in the US before leaving, the additional cost of getting it at home will be puny for such amount. Also most airport ATMs are the ones managed by Euronet or Travelex, which give lousy rates. Then you can get more when you are in the city at a bank ATM (Bancomat network) as you need.