How much Euro to take to Italy?

I would be very surprised if your bank doesn't charge their fees by hiding their fee in the exchange rate. Sounds like everything is paid for since 250 euro would last me about two days. Take a hundred euro from you local bank and when you need go to a bank owned ATM where ever you are and get more. A debit card at a bank owned ATM in Italy will give you the cheapest and most convenient way to obtain euro.

Can you provide more information? Are you planning to acquire more Euros as you travel around using ATMs? How many things do you have to still pay for over the course of your two weeks? How many of there are you? Are you on a tour? No matter what the circumstance, $250 is not enough for two weeks. $500 is not enough either...that's about $35 per day.

Thanks, Frank. I meant $250 or $500 for the first few days. Then to take out more when I'm there. Just wanted to know how much to start with. And yes, everything besides food is paid for. Accommodations, tours and sights. Thanks for the tip!

I mis spoke. The only thing not paid for besides food are the Airbnb taxes (only a few euro per person per day - to be paid upon check-in) and the Colosseum/Palentine Hill/Forum tickets. All other tickets and tours and accommodations are paid for. We planned this all on our own. I'm figuring min $100/day for food for the two of us, then spending money for shopping. Just not sure how much Euro to start with on arrival before having to use an ATM for more.

Yep - you're fine for the first day or two or three then. Depends on your dining style and restaurant choice/wine consumption.

Banks don't charge a fee. They give you a ridiculously poor exchange rate. Ask your bank two questions: what would it cost to get €100 and compare it to that day's exchange rate easily found on line, and what fees they charge for fx transactions on your ATM card? I opened a checking account at Capital One Bank because they don't charge fees on foreign currency ATM withdrawals. Many other banks have the same policies but you have to research them. If you're not leaving for two weeks, you still might be able to open an account and get an ATM card before you leave. Check with your credit card issuers because they also might charge an fx fee and fee free cards are available. Make sure you notify your bank and credit card companies before you leave that you will be using your cards in Europe.

I don't get Euros at a bank but wait till I arrive at my destination. Find a bank ATM in the airport and get your Euros. Also, please go to the "Money" section of the Travel Tips on this site to learn more.

$250 of Euros would be reasonable. Be sure to keep that money in a money belt, so you actually get to spend it!

I prefer to have at least 50-100 Euro when I arrive, so we can quickly move out of the airport & take the tram to the hotel and have lunch before needing to find an ATM.

Given the new information - I agree with Jean. We only take hundred euro or so going to the country. Mostly what is left over from the last trip. Take 250 euro and that will be more than adequate for a couple of days.

We usually bring about 200 euros ..

I would get €100 or €200 from my bank (the only fee is the FedEx charge of the bank doesn't stock euro).

I return with some euro as seed money for the next trip, usually just enough to get to the first hotel so I don't have to deal with ATMs first thing off the plane. Sometimes it's €100, sometimes it's €10.

I have recently heard two extremes when talking with people who just went to Italy:

• One person does not take any euro with them and just get some euro at the ATM at the Rome airport and withdraw from ATM's when needed and if not using their Credit Card.

• The other person took $4,000 euro and kept some in a money belt and the rest locked in their hotel safe.

I spoke with Chase inside my bank and they had an exchange rate the other day of $1.19, when the exchange rate was $1.12. That's a 7% difference! ATM withdrawals have a 3% Chase fee. It appears to be cheaper to just use an ATM in Italy when I get there.

Would also like your thoughts on if there is any need to carry any US Dollars with us?

There is a little middle ground. Take a hundred or so with you just in case the ATM is not working, long line to use it or the ATM is not easily found. Do not use your credit card to get cash from an ATM - that is very expensive. Use only a debit card. and it is a good practice to have two debit cards tied to two different accounts just in case something goes wrong with one of the cards. We faithfully carry two cards and have never had a problem with the first card. But others have reported that cards were retained and other problems. Back up is always good.

4000 is is crazy and waste of good money.

For years I have always carried a couple of US 50s, just in case. Never used them. I suppose I will continue to do so since they take up little space. A little US cash does have a comfort factor.

Regarding US $ -- always a good idea to have some for your return trip (unless you want to look for an ATM at your arrival airport) for getting home.

I only had ONE instance when the ATM at an arrival airport would not give me currency -- my travel companion was able to use a different card, so we were able to get transportation to our hotel -- but because of that time, I always arrive with €100 or so left from a prior trip.

Google says that $1.13 buys 1 Euro today. I'd buy $500 worth of Euro and go with that, that will last you longer than a few days in case you haven't located a bank ATM you'd like to use, or just in case. Your hotel will have a safe in your room, use that safe, and use your money belt and neck wallet for Euro you want with you on the street.

So my MO is based on what ifs and just in case. If you are sure that you want only enough Euro for a few days, then buy $250 worth of Euro.

Google says that $1.13 buys 1 Euro today.

"Google" is likely reporting the mid-point Interbank rate. Bib/Ask rates to large banks are very close to Interbank rate. Local banks will not likely sell you Euros at the Interbank rate. They will either quote bid/ask rates or add a several percent mark-up to the reported Interbank rate and may add a shipping & handling fee.

Google says that $1.13 buys 1 Euro today.

Yes, but that is only if you are at an ATM in Europe and use a debit card with no fees to get them!

Just be aware that even if your bank claims it does not charge any fees for the exchange, the rate they use will not be what you see on Google. And of course be wary even if they do announce their fees because the rate will probably not be that great either. If 6 cents is close enough for you, like the $1.19 rate mentioned, then go ahead and buy some before you take off so you have Euros in your pocket.

$1.13 buys 1 Euro today.
Yes, but that is only if you are at an ATM in Europe and use a debit card with no fees to get them!

Alternatively use a credit card that coverts at Interbank rate (e.g. Capital One Visa) for your larger purchases reducing the amount of local coin and currency needed.

Our Bank does not charge a fee....

An interesting way to test of what your bank's true cost of foreign exchange if they do web base quotes is to see how many Euros $500 USD buys, then exchange those Euros back to USD. The difference divided by two is your true one way (USD to EUR) conversion cost.

You don't need any Euros before you get there, and you definitely don't need any US$ once you are there. It is easy to use your cards to pay in Europe, and easy to find ATMs to get Euros.

You do need to make sure to notify your bank and credit card companies when/where you will travel so they don't suspect fraud (since you haven't used them in Italy before!).
Be careful, there are bank ATMs which charge normal fees, and there are commercial ATMs that charge higher fees for the convenience. There are plenty of regular ATMs to use.