Do you need cash in Italy 2023?
Cash. While many European countries have embraced alternative payment methods, cash remains the most common payment method in Italy. It's especially popular for purchases of €60 or less. The European Central Bank estimates that Italian customers use cash for 86% of in-person transactions.
In Italy, cash is still preferred in most restaurants, cafes and other establishments, although credit and debit cards are becoming more widely used throughout Italy and are an increasingly convenient way to pay for things. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, although American Express is not.
There's no need to exchange money before you go to Italy if you don't want to. You can make an ATM withdrawal at the airport on arrival - which can be a good deal if you get a travel card from a provider like Wise or Revolut, which can offer good exchange rates and low overall costs.
Bring $100-200 USD cash, but keep it stashed away and don't change into Euro. It's only to be used as a fallback if every ATM in the country is out of order at the same time. Use ATMs to withdraw Euro from cash machine in the airport upon arrival, and replenish your Euro supply at an ATM when you run low.
Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip.
Some tourists feel like they just have to have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.
| USD | ITL |
|---|---|
| 25 USD | 44,012.8 ITL |
| 50 USD | 88,025.7 ITL |
| 100 USD | 176,051 ITL |
| 500 USD | 880,257 ITL |
It's generally a good idea to have a mix of cash and other payment methods like credit/debit cards. For a rough estimate, considering expenses like accommodation, meals, transportation, sightseeing, and shopping, you might budget around 50 to 100 euros per day on average.
You hardly need any cash at all. You can use your credit or debit card wherever there is a PoS (point of sale) machine. Your card needs to be on the Mastercard or VISA international network to function. (Most businesses in Italy refuse Amex and Diners because they charge too much commission.)
Tipping isn't the norm in Italy like it may be in North America and some other countries in Europe, but it is still appreciated. Feel free to leave a small amount if the service has been particularly good. In taxis, tipping is not expected, but if rounding up the charge makes life easier, go for it.
We recommend that you take a mixture of cash along with currency on a pre-paid currency card. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops and autostrada tollbooths. Where you might come unstuck is relying on American Express and Diners Club which are not widely accepted.
Do I need to get euros before my trip?
It's good to have a few euros in cash upon arrival for tips etc, just in case you can't get to an ATM right away. I keep a small stash of euros at home, left over from previous trips to the eurozone. Exchange rates are the same internationally, but service charges differ.
With time at your disposal, you'll be able to see exactly what the fee and rate is, and how many euros you'll get for your dollars. It's possible of course that you might get a better deal when you land in Europe. It may well be the case that fees are lower and exchange rates better.
Yes, Visa and Mastercard debit cards are widely accepted in Italy, especially in the big cities and tourist areas. You can also use them at Italian ATMs. In some smaller or more rural areas, though, it could be a good idea to have some euros on you - just in case.
| EUR | USD |
|---|---|
| 100 EUR | 109.86 USD |
| 500 EUR | 549.31 USD |
| 1,000 EUR | 1,098.63 USD |
| 5,000 EUR | 5,493.15 USD |
While there are some situations where it may make sense to use DCCs, it's usually better to pay in the local currency – especially if you use a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.
In my opinion 500 euros is sufficient for 10 days and if you feel you need more, just use your debit card to get some more. Carrying lost of cash is never a good idea and especially in Italy and not all hotels have safes. Make sure your PIN for your card has no more then 4 digits.
A meal at an inexpensive restaurant, for one person, is usually around $18 to $20, whereas a meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant, with drinks, will typically cost around $70 to $80.
Establishments in Italy do not accept U.S. dollars as a form of payment. You will need Italian currency for cash transactions in Italy. In places that do accept physical U.S. dollars, such as hotels, using them may result in very unfavorable exchange rates or additional fees.
The euro shares the No. 8 spot among the world's strongest currencies, with 1 euro buying 1.08 dollars (or $1 equals 0.93 euro). The euro is the official currency of 20 out of the 27 countries that form the European Union. Euro coins and bank notes entered circulation in 2002, and the currency is free-floating.
Cash. While many European countries have embraced alternative payment methods, cash remains the most common payment method in Italy. It's especially popular for purchases of €60 or less. The European Central Bank estimates that Italian customers use cash for 86% of in-person transactions.
What ATMs are best in Italy?
Recommended ATMs
Most domestic and international banks have ATMs spread across Italy, including UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo, BNL, and Banca Sella. These ATMs are generally reliable and offer instructions in English.
There are ATMs everywhere and you can withdraw euros as needed. No need to bring any. Withdrawing them locally will be cheaper too. I rarely ever use cash in Italy these days.
- ( coins, notes) soldi mpl ⧫ denaro. in cash in contanti. £200 in cash 200 sterline in contanti. ...
- immediate payment) to pay cash down pagare in contanti. cash with order/on delivery (business) pagamento all'ordinazione/alla consegna.
- informal) (money) quattrini mpl.
Meats, Livestock and Poultry: The regulations governing meat and meat products are stringent. You may not import fresh, dried or canned meats or meat products from most foreign countries into the United States. Also, you may not import food products that have been prepared with meat.
What is the cheapest way to get euros in the US? You'll need to compare exchange rates and fees for your bank with currency exchange services such as CXI. But a travel card such as the Wise international debit card can be a cheaper option, offering low fees and fairer, margin-free exchange rates.
