how much cash to bring

I see that your specific question has not been answered: how much US dollars should you take with you? There is no need to take any dollars with you, other than what you need to/from your home airport. Some people do take $100-200 with them for emergencies. If for some reason none of their plastic worked, they could always exchange the dollars at a currency exchange. There are still exchanges at major trains stations, airports and sometimes at places near popular tourist sites. The alternative is to take $100-200 worth of euros with you as a reserve. Then as your trip is winding down, use the reserve cash so you don't come home with euros. You can often use left-over euros to pay part of your final hotel bill, then pay the rest with a CC.

I usually bring just enough Euros to get me through the first day since the cost of getting Euros in the US costs more than the ATM's in Italy. You also need to let your bank in US know about your travelling plans. I always bring 2 cards from 2 different banks in case one does not work- its happened! Also check your daily withdrawl limit.
It is also safer to use ATM's located just outside a bank during banking hours in case your card is "eaten".

I usually bring just enough Euros to get me through the first day since the cost of getting Euros in the US costs more than the ATM's in Italy. You also need to let your bank in US know about your travelling plans. I always bring 2 cards from 2 different banks in case one does not work- its happened! Also check your daily withdrawl limit.
It is also safer to use ATM's located just outside a bank during banking hours in case your card is "eaten".

I love this typo from a Kentuckian: "withdrawl" Made me smile. Thanks, Kathleen! I have family in Texas and they also speak "withdrawl". :-)

Hey Amy over in Coos Bay! Now I know everyone will kill me for saying this, but I actually went to Italy last month with $1000 euro on me. I had it safely tucked away in the very bottom of my large carryon, with only about $100 euro in my wallet. I had some expenses that I would need to pay early in the trip (apartment rental, car hire, etc.) and I didn't want to worry about my ATM card not working the first couple of days. I kept my extra cash and my passport locked away during the trip (didn't carry it around with me) and hit the ATM every couple of days for my daily spending money. Essentially, I brought enough euro with me to pay all of my "hard costs" that I knew of ahead of time and then just used the ATM to get my "spending money" every couple of days. Did this cost me some extra money? Sure, because I am sure WF charged me a higher exchange rate than the ATM did. But I think it was a difference of $0.05, so for the $1000 euro, it cost me $50 for the peace of mind of having enough cash on me to get me through if anything happened. For some people it wouldn't be worth it. For me, it was worth every penny of the $50. Have a great trip!!

Hello Fellow Oregonian! I saw your post about cash and we're going through the same thoughts. My wife and 22 year old son and I are going to Italy in August and we've decided to apply for a Schwab debit card. With our other bank card, we feel we'll be covered, plus Schwab doesn't charge a conversion fee at ATM's and they'll reimburse you for any ATM fees (In Europe and here). Happy travels!

Everyone has there own travel style and risk acceptance. I would never travel with a 1000 Euro in a suitcase. I have had as much as 700 Euro on me in a money belt but never in something that is loose from me. We will carry $200 in twenties split between us for emergency use. Will enter with 100 to 200E saved from the prior trip. After that it is the debit card. In all of our travels have never had to tap the emergency cash but will continue to carry out of habit and no problems with either of our two debit cards..

What is considered a good exchange rate at this time? Approximately.....who do you recommend for quotes here in the states for "travel" money prior to leaving?

We were in Italy for 3 weeks and took about $300 USD but we did not use any of it. We found using ATMs to be very easy.

We did the same as the last poster, only brought a little cash in USD. We were nervous about this but, when we got there, we found it very easy to use the ATMs. Only recommendation if you do this, bring 2 ATM cards from 2 different accounts just in case there is an issue with one account.

Thank you all for the great tips!!! I love this site!! Happy traveling!!
Amy

For Diana - a good exchange rate in the Interbank rate. Plug Euro into the Gmail search for the rate. Your ATM in Europe will give you a rate within one percent of that rate. The rate changes minute to minute.

When I visited Italy last month, I checked the rate while there periodically on XE.com so I could compare it to the rate charged on my online bank account.

In Italy now! Brought $200 U.S. with us but have not had a need to use it. Atm's on ever corner and visa widely accepted. Always nice to have cash but not sure how necessary it is!

The exchange rate right now is really good...the euro is the lowest it's been a while. Get your euros now. I always keep a little US money on me...maybe $50. You might need it coming home in your US airport for snacks!

I take no US $ to Europe and also do not take many if any Euros (only leftovers from last year), preferring to get them from an ATM machine when I arrive at my final airport. That has worked for us for the last ten years.