We have a family of 5 (2 adults, 3 children under 11) and we are going to Italy over Easter (Rome - Venice - CT - FLorence). We have found that apartments are the most cost effective way for our "larger than European hotels can handle in 1 room family" to travel in Europe. My question is that in Italy (after traveling in Germany, France and UK) requires paying the balance of the apartment stay (less the small deposit to secure the rent by credit card) in Euro cash, as well as the security deposit. THis can amount to over 1000 Euro at almost each of our towns. That is A LOT of cash to carry, and if I get it from the ATM, most have limits. Is this normal, and if so, is there a better way to skin this cat without carrying so much cash? No wonder there are so many pick-pockets!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
That has been our experience -- balance due at checkin and in cash. We carry two debit cards. With rare exception can take $500 or more out each time.
Posted by
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
430 posts
Ditto. Paid cash at check-in for apartments in Florence and Vernazza.
Like Frank, I carry two Debit cards (plus two Credit Cards, for emergencies). I tend to carry an initial ~$1,000 worth of cash from the start, then pull out ~$1,000 worth of cash a couple days before I'll need it.
I'm comfortable with that much cash on me -- but we do split it out for daily carry -- some in the bag, some in my money belt, some in my wife's, a little in our pockets.
I don't know of another good way.
Posted by
Carbondale, IL, USA
1201 posts
That is the general way of doing things. Get a good money belt to wear under your clothes and use ATM's for cash.
You may want to ask your bank for an increase in your daily cash limit and possibly start a travel account at a different bank so you can access two different cards/accounts.
Assuming you and the kids don't trash something, you should get the security deposit back each time, only leaving the actual rental fee for the following places.
If you have the ability to write a check in euros, sometimes the apartment folks will let you use a check for the security deposit. They would then return it to you at the end of the stay. Might want to check via e-mail.
Posted by
OP
APO, AE, United Kingdom
11 posts
Thanks fellas -- appreciate the sanity check and smart way of traveling with the cash.
Posted by
Wichita
831 posts
William,
A couple of points.
Most ATMs have a transaction limit (250 euro is common but 500 is possible).If your daily limit from your bank is higher you can do multiple transaction.
My wife and I each have an account and each has an ATM card on the others account (4 total), each card (not account) has a daily limit.
When I arrive at an apartment I have asked the key holder where is the closest ATM (bancomat), they usually walk me to it (almost always within a block or two) and i withdraw the euro and give it to them. Because I overplan I have usually used an ATM locator so I know where the closest ATM is.