(I am sure this has been asked before, but I can’t find a convenient search method.)
Is Italy, specifically Rome and Sicily mostly cashless? On Sicily, is it different between the cities and out of city? (Planning for the RSE Sicily tour.)
(On our RSE Scandinavia tour, we went almost exclusively cashless. We’re wondering the same holds for Rome and Sicily.)
I’m expecting to not need much cash, but I wanted to ask.
TIA,
We found we needed quite a bit of cash in Sicily. We were only in Rome for 48 hours but did not spend any cash.
I used cash in Rome for small purchases, like gelato and drinks and for taxis. I use cash here in the states, not wanting small business people to incur credit card fees for small purchases. I also used cash to leave a couple euro tip in restaurants as there is no option to add a tip to the total when paying by credit card.
We used a lot more cash in Sicily than you would expect to use in big-city Italy. Restaurants, guides, drivers all preferred cash. Same with small purchases. A credit card processing fee for the vendor is ridiculous if you're only buying a coffee or a canolo. Cash was more useful outside of Palermo, Catania and Siracusa.
Italy was pretty good during the pandemic with adopting tap-to-pay and credit cards, though, by all reports, many areas have backslid.
All vendors are required to take credit card, though they can enforce a minimum purchase. Beyond that, you will run into places (and taxis) that their "machine is broke", maybe a side deal for a cash purchase like a discount, simply reflecting that cash transactions have a "tax advantage".
That said, like most places, I always have about 50 to 100 euro on me, might not use it, but I have it if needed. I do use cash for purchases under 10 euro again, like I did pre-pandemic. You should be fine in Rome, and really most places in Sicily, but be prepared.
Other situations in which I have used cash in Italy:
Public toilets. Even if they are supposed to take cards, the card reader may be broken.
Coin-fed lights in churches for illuminating frescoes and mosaics.
City hotel taxes, which many budget and some moderately-priced hotels require to be paid in cash. This won't be an issue while you're on the tour, but it might be if arrive early or remain in Italy after the tour.
Entry fees in churches, especially if the admission charges is quite modest.
Donations in churches that don't charge and entry fee.
I usually paid cash when I bought a three-euro gelato; I noticed a lot of local folks paid cash in that situation. I did the same at little corner stores when I was spending only a euro or two. I believe some did have signs posted, specifying a minimum for card usage.
Rick’s view on cash vs credit card:
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money/pay-credit-cards-vs-cash
