getting euros when arriving in Rome

They are not ripping you off just because they have some fees attached. The exchange rate is fine. The short answer from our last experience is NO. I think all of the airport ATMs are under contract from one of the money exchange companies. Even if they are, the fees are disclosed so if you take out a hundred euro you might pay 10% or about what you would have paid in the US. Not a big deal. If you need it, do it. When you get into Rome you can find a bank ATM and take out larger amount as needed. I always land with a hundred euro in pocket generally from previous trips but maybe the airport before we left. Rarely need it but like the back up if for some reason the credit card doesn't work.

Use a bank that is open. Don't use an ATM that is not attached to a bank especially at that train station.
There is a BNP Paribas outside of Termini. Google that for the location.

I’m sure there is a bank inside or near Termini.
Machines with Bancomat logo attached to banks is what you want. The machines saying ATM operated by Euronet give lousy exchange rates.
I remember seeing the UniCredit bank inside FCO last summer but I arrived from Portugal at T1 so if you arrive at T3 with an Extra EU flight I don’t know if there is one.
In any case, if you can’t see one at the airport, except for the Euronet ATM, just use it for the minimum you might need until you get to the city. If you need a taxi I think now the flat fare has increased to 55€, so just exchange something under 100€ if you plan to pay cash. If you take the train the fare is under 15€ per person. Once in the city just use the banks’ bancomat machines.

If you can locate a bank ATM (Bancomat), you’ll get a favorable fx rate. There are a few in terminal 3 at FCO in and going to the baggage claim/exit.

Different ATMs do not have different exchange rates, as long as you decline DCC, including the ones at the airport. The exchange rate is determined by your card processor(one of the networks affiliated with either Visa or Mastercard usually) and will amount to about 1%. Aside from any fees your bank may charge, many "Bancomats" do not charge fees, others may charge up to 5 euro.

If you are unsure of what DCC is, search about that, it affects both ATM and Credit Card transactions.

I do not worry about looking for an open bank (Not sure what this offers?) or any of the other dire cautions, I pretty much use the ATM that is available when I need cash, easy and simple, have never paid more than about 1% in conversion, and my card reimburses fees.

For what it is worth, you really will not need much cash, if a couple, get out about 100 euro, split it between you, you may not spend any if much of it, except maybe for small items.

It's all about convenience. And yes, convenience costs money. The owners of bancomats and ATms in airports have to pay rent for that prime space, and it costs money to maintain and insure those machines, besides paying the folks who are stuffing them with cash. So everywhere you get cash could be called a ripoff if you look at it as just a money transaction. Just a matter of degree.

I realize that this goes against current thoughts, but we arrive in a foreign destination with some local currency. For us the convenience of having some cash on hand outweighs the potential cost of purchasing currency at home.

There is no need to look for an ATM or bank when jet lagged.

Enjoy your trip.

Last time I was in the international arrivals they only had the yellow and blue euronet machines. I paid for a taxi with a credit card. You can also use a credit card to buy your train tickets if you would rather use that mode of transportation. My husband had a few euro coins from a previous trip for a tip. We hit a bank atm in Rome upon arrival. I will tell you that while I did you cash some I didn’t as much as previous years.

Take this for what it's worth...

I just bought my Euro here in the States at JP Morgan/Chase for my trip in three weeks. Rule of thumb used to be to find an ATM attached to a bank anywhere in Italy and save money, but apparently Rick Steves doesn't recommend that anymore. For me, I simply didn't want to put up with the BS of scrambling to find a proper ATM, then having to navigate the machine itself that may be trying to trick you into using the wrong conversion...nope, not for me, I don't have that sense of adventure anymore.

Anyway, with the Euro at $1.08:1, I was charged another 8%, so for each 100 Euro I was charged $116. In comparison, Wells Fargo was $114.85 for the same transaction, and for all these banks you have to have an account there. Not the best exchange I suppose, but with another raise to 1.09 today, at least I'm locked in if there is further instability worldwide that could make the exchange rate spike higher. And...I think back to our first Italian trip in 2010, and the exchange rate was 1.43 to 1.00!!

hey hey hepbad
totally agree with Jay. not wasting my time looking for euros at the airport that have euronets now. not ripping you off and not a scam. they know people are out there to use and charge you fees, with many upset. too old to be dealing with BS as Jay says.
this subject comes up few times a week and i still have same answer (a bird in your hand is worth 2 in the bushes)
i get euros here at my bank, small bills (5,10,20) and good to go until i get into rome.
years ago landed in rome along with 3 other international flights all running to ATM, had 2 but one was "out of order/broken!" the lines were so long and who knows when it becomes empty. borrowed from my friend until we got to city. was worth my $20 i paid at my bank. when taking out from ATM/bancomat i take out an odd number (E75, 85, 95) instead of getting a hundred dollar note.
just walked by that long line with a smile on my face
i too can remember when exchange rate was high, we just get a few there before we fly home to have some when we return knowing we will. it's your vacation, your money and your stress. enjoy yourself and have a great time
aloha

I have used Bank of America affiliates while traveling in Europe if their ATM is near by. If not use any bank ATM and do not use the DCC option. Check and see if your bank has an affiliate in Europe.

Would love to get euros before leaving the US, but don't have an account at a major national bank. There are a couple currency exchange places about an hour away; not willing to make that drive when I can get euros after we land.

hepbad, you could ask at your local bank. who might be able to order some from a larger bank if they don't deal with it themselves. That's what one of my two banks will do. Of course there's a charge for the service.

Walk out of Roma Termini to the right side, not the front. Turn right on the street, Via Marsala. Go about 300-400 feet, there is a Poste Italiane with ATMs. As of last September withdrawals of cash from there were completely normal, there was no fee, the rate was minimal, as in 200 euro on Sept 21 cost me $223.68, the listed exchange rate for the day was 1.1166, so this cost 36 cents. I do not recall if I had to ignore DCC, I also note that before I found this I had tried a BMP Paribus nearby, it charged a fee - which was refunded since I have a Schwab account and card.

Your local bank (even if it is small) might be able to order them for you. Or your closest AAA office may have euros. Some do and some don't, and you don't have to be a member at most of them to buy euros.

Yes, hepbad...

My cousin who is traveling with us went to her local AAA office and got a 1.1482 exchange per dollar. Not bad.

Not responding to the question but tagging one of my own, do you need to pay in cash in Rome/ Venice or credit card works everywhere?

Officially every business in Italy is required to accept electronic cards in lieu of cash. However, when visiting in January we found that some street vendors’ card terminals were mysteriously broken and other vendors would offer a discount for cash. We also used coins for pay toilets and for donations at churches. I personally always want to have some cash in the local currency but by and large you could probably get by without it (I’m sure the church will be happy with US dollar bills if that’s all you have!). Good luck!