Getting cash in Rome

ATM. probably more than one transaction and maybe over more than one day. Depends on the machine limit and/or your card limit.

You may want to ask your bank to increase your daily limit on cash ATM withdrawals, depending on what it is now.

Buy the euros before you leave at a foreign exchange place close to your home. That’s what I’ve done my last two trips. I used this place, there are probable similar places close to where you live.

Absolutely at an ATM but make sure you know any fees associated with withdrawals, if any, assessed by your bank. As mentioned, your daily withdrawal limit might be limited and the bank might be able to raise it. Sometimes, when we’ve needed a lot of cash, my husband and I each make a withdrawal. And we have had to tell a landlord, back when they all wanted cash, that we could give them half one day and the other half the following day, if that is the reason you need so much cash.

We went into our bank, let them know what we wanted to do so that our limit was high enough. They told us to make sure we answered any call from the bank as they might check to verify we had made the transaction and if we didn’t respond they would lock our atm card.

Another approach is to have more than one debit card and hit each card for the max. We use both a credit union and a bank. We do have to be pay a fee for the bank usage but for a large sum withdraw it is worth it. You card is limited to a max withdraw per day but the day break is US time so it might be possible to make a morning withdraw and then another withdraw that afternoon.

Beware of the distinction between "ATM" and "Bancomat" when in Rome.

ATMs are typically operated by large foreign exchange companies that offer convenience - you will see them everywhere - but poor value financially. Euronet is a major operator.

Bancomats are associated with banks, and those are what you should use to withdraw cash, using a debit card. Decline dynamic currency conversion if it's offered by the machine.

You will bump up against daily limits, so plan on multiple withdrawals.

I think my Italian bank has a daily limit for ATM withdrawals of 500€ (which can be increased for bank customers of the same bank upon request). You are likely to be limited to that 500€ amount, since you are not a customer. Your US bank may also have a limit of $500 (less than 450€ at the current exchange rate). Increasing your limit with your bank to $1,000 may not help you overcome the Italian bank limit, assuming it is 500€ like my Italian bank has. So plan multiple withdrawals.

You have probably already done this, but if not, be sure to check the list of and location guide for the ATMs that are in your ATM/Debit card network. You can look up VISA ATM locations by city/country and ditto for MasterCard (or others) You likely know the little symbol for whatever networks in which your financial institution participates will be right on your card (possibly the logos on the back).

We have not accessed an ATM overseas in many years, but I would always (before we traveled) find the local of participating ATMs close by our first-night's hotel), and then I would drill down further by finding one that is actually attached to, or better yet, IN the lobby of the bank. I printed off the list for the neighborhood in which we were staying, often asking (with list in hand) the front desk of the hotel for best location close by. If you can, try to use the ATM during banking hours. That way if the machine eats your card, you may be more likely to be able to get some sort-of immediate help. Also using an ATM in the lobby of a bank surely would be a bit safer than many other random locations. You will know to hold a paper over the keypad when entering your secret code, and if at a remote ATM (not IN the bank) sort of eyeball it to detect if any tampering has taken place with the card reader.

For us, for that amount of cash, we would go thru our local bank and get it ahead of time (store deeply in the neck wallet) , but (oooops) I just noticed you likely already flew out today. Safe travels. Have fun!! Wishing you excellent weather, too.