Should we buy euros before going on our trip to Sicily from the US

Though I use my credit/debit card for most spending in Europe, I like to have some cash on hand as well. I order a few hundred euro through my bank before I leave. (Bank of America). They offer a rate as good or better than anywhere else. If you bank with a big outfit like BOA or Wells Fargo, they always have reciprocal arrangements with European banks which let you use their branches & ATMs without fees. Just remember to notify your bank & credit card co. about your trip. if they see withdrawals & charges coming from another country, the security flags go up & the card may well be frozen. (don't ask how I know)

Your bank will give you a bad deal on the exchange rate if you buy euros here. You'll do better to draw cash from an ATM, preferably one attached to a staffed bank, as soon as you enter the euro zone. There are ATMs in all the major airports -- Rome, Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, etc. (But London doesn't use the euro.) That will get you the best possible exchange rate, though you probably will have to pay a fee to your own bank and to the bank providing the ATM. (I never heard of major US banks having reciprocal deals to waive those fees, I know that Chase doesn't.)

As the previous poster advised, let your bank and credit card issuer(s) know your plans so they won't freeze your account when they see overseas activity.

My local bank has Euros on hand so it's easy to buy a small amount. They don't charge their normal fee, just a currency exchange markup.

If it suits you to have Euros in hand before your trip, you might buy a day or two worth - despite a higher rate. Then get more as needed and described in posts above.

It took me a while to get comfortable arriving in a country with zero local cash. As part of my trip planning, I do research ATMs in advance at my airports, train stations or hotels so that I know if I want to get any local currency ahead or where I want to get cash in country.

My bank refunds worldwide ATM fees so that doesn't figure into my decisions.

I did a quick search and found this ATM that appears from the photos to be attached to a small branch of a local Sicilian bank (banking hours except for ATM) at Catania airport.

Banca Agricola Popolare di Ragusa

You might research multiple options to choose for yourself.

hey hey parkbooker
this subject has been discussed many many times here in this forum. you will get answers from yes to no. i get about 100 to 200 euros (low bills) here in the states before i leave. it may cost a bit more but i am satisfied with my decision. others will tell you to wait till you arrive in europe, to each their own decision on that. many airport ATM's are travelex which charges you a fee. don't need any feed back.
my first trip many years ago, waited till i arrived to get the currency, one bank machine was out of order and the only other machine had a long line of people waiting that were not happy. another time a friend of mine told me had a power outage at airport. i just make sure i have for a taxi ride and small purchase at a shop that only takes cash. i can pick up later that day or next day at an ATM in town.
it's your decision that only you can make and decide on. if it costs me 10 to 20 dollars for less stress than so be it. i'll have a budget meal later to make up for it. make sure you tell your bank you are traveling out of country and up you withdrawal limit. we were just in paris, friend tried to withdraw 300 euros from ATM and was declined. found out it only allowed 200. each machine may allow different amounts so be aware. enjoy and have fun.
aloha

Getting euros before the trip - I think the answer to this question depends on your own personal travel style. Many people will tell you to wait until you reach Europe and withdraw some Euros from an ATM. (Always contact your bank first to let them know you'll be traveling overseas. Also find out if they charge any fees and/or have daily limits for withdrawals overseas.) This works for many travelers.

For me, I like to have a certain comfort level when I travel. I like to have some of the local currency in hand before I land. I have been in a situation where the ATM was not working. I have heard horror stories from fellow travelers who lost a card to an ATM on a weekend/holiday and had to wait for a couple of days before they could retrieve it (and some cash.) So I always have the local equivalent of $200 US with me when I leave the country. I've been to Europe before, so I generally bring back some Euros and keep them on hand for next time. But if that fails, I go to my local bank and order some foreign currency. Their exchange rate is always comparable & they only charge me $5 for what I consider travel peace of mind.

As far as tours, I don't think there's a fixed amount. From my experience, Italian tour guides are incredible and worth a generous tip.

One more thing while I'm thinking about money. Make sure you buy something and obtain some coins early in the trip. You may need them to use the bathroom at some point.

Hope you have a wonderful time! Sicily is gorgeous!!!

msmith - unfortunately that isn't often true. The worse possible rates are received exchanging cash for cash.

parkbooker, how do you travel at home in the US? A big wad of cash everywhere, or do you rely on credit cards and debit cards at ATMs? Well, credit cards and debit cards work abroad too, including in Sicily. There are some things you need to know about it (such as notifying your bank, back up cards, fee rates, etc) which you can read about under the Travel Tips, Money, links on the menu on the left of this page. But you should also read the tips about tipping as well. Everybody loves getting extra money, but its not the normal routine practice in many countries.

If you feel better paying more so you have some euros on arrival, do so. Yes it costs more but if it’s 100-200 or so, the cost is reasonable as insurance/peace of mind. Use ATMs once you get there and run out of cash. What you DONT want is to bring tons of cash from home. That’s expensive, a pickpocket and loss risk, you might not use them all, and unnecessary. Just bring enough to get started so you aren’t searching for an ATM immediately.

Of course waiting until you get there is fine, it’s what I do when going to non-Euro countries. For Euros I always have some leftover and like starting with a bit of cash.

Parkbooker;

Have you first looked at what your costs or issues will be with using your ATM/Debit card? With whom do you bank? One of the major banks? Like Wells Fargo, US Bank, etc....or a Credit Union or local bank? This is important because some banks can charge high (in my opinion) fees for withdrawing cash from an out of network ATM in a foreign Country.

It probably makes some sense to have euros in hand on landing, most have left overs from previous trips, but going to a bank and paying a premium for a couple hundred euros can be worth peace of mind. If you do pay fees or your ability to withdraw cash from an ATM may be an issue, then it makes sense to get maybe as much as 500 euro.

Along with this, you need to check your credit cards, a no fee card would be best, one costing you 3% would not be a deal breaker, but you can pretty much use a credit card for about everything, and a few hundred euro will more than last the trip.

Important also to have backups, I travel with two ATM/Debit cards from different banks, and at least two credit cards, plus the ability to get a cash advance from an ATM on the cards.

Two of the banks we use, Wells Fargo and TD Bank carry international currencies. I usually go to TD for mine, they take it out of my checking account, make me sign a few papers and disappear for a few minutes to get the cash. Have a trip coming up and took out 400 Euros, we'll split between the two of us in our neck wallets. I also always bring a couple of hundred US dollars as backup. Did have a card chewed up in Germany a couple of years ago so I tend to be cautious.

If I have too much left over, TD will exchange back for dollars, though I usually don't!

Have fun!

Roxbury Lad, it sounds as if you travel to Europe rather often. You're losing money in both directions if you take excess euros to TDBank upon your return from one trip and then buy euros from TDB for your next trip. The loss could be 10% or so. If your trips are frequent, you're not losing much in interest by keeping the leftover euros in that form--assuming you have a safe place to store them, of course.

Note: I realize TDBank has accounts that provide no-fee ATM cards; perhaps its foreign-exchange raters are somewhat friendlier than other banks' as well.

I always carry a minimum amount, maybe 100 euro. I primarily use credit cards while there but it's good to have a small amount when you land.

mssmith, I think you will find that the worst rate you will receive is when you attempt to convert US (or Canadian) currency into euros. First, you have to do this at a "cambio" or change concession, or at a bank--not an ATM. I always carry American currency, but this is my "mad money" for when all else fails.

Withdrawing cash from ATM machines is amazingly easy, but use your debit card to avoid excessive charges on a credit card.

If you have an account or credit card with Bank of America or Wells Fargo, they provide the best exchange rates of exchanging foreign currency in the USA.

We normally wait to use ATM machines once we are in Europe. Be sure to use a bank ATM not a dedicated airport ATM.

Do not buy anywhere except an ATM in Europe. They are easy to find. We go almost every summer and use very little cash, plastic is good everywhere except small mom and pop places. Buying at other than an European ATM will incur extra fees.

We ALWAYS get our Euros at the airport ATMs when we arrive. So easy. Better rates.

Avoid ATMs and look for Bancomat, otherwise you'll pay Awful fees

Yes
B of A gives them to me for 2% over the bank to bank rate (your rate will vary). So 100 Euros would cost me $2.50 in fees, Oh the inhumanity of it all. Losing $2.50 how will I ever survive........

May already have this response, but I always LEAVE Europe with 150-200 Euros in my money belt (not valid for first trip!). As Rick says, assume you will return. Still not at all challenging to get Euros from ATM in the airport on arrival.