Traveling to Italy for 2 weeks, is it best to carry a lot of Euros or will we be fine with a Credit Card?

Show all answers

conley39

You really don't want to be carrying around tons of cash. Credit Cards are widely accepted - Visa and MasterCard more than American Express. You will run into situations where you need cash though. You can use the Bancomats (ATMs) here to withdraw cash using your home bank card as long as you're on a major international network like Cirrus or others. Bancomats are widely available. This is the best way to exchange money - however, don't make a lot of very small withdrawals - especially if your bank doesn't reimburse you for charges by other .banks.

Â«Â¤_Sarah_Â¤Â»

not every shop accept credit card.

zimbo

You will need cash in many places, especially places which offer decent prices. But you can get cash at any ATM.

merlix90

Take with you your credit card...it's better because you don't have the risk to not have enough money (and to lose it...tourists shouldn't have a lot of money with them...they can rob you...)
Especially in italian cities (Milan, Rome, Bologna...)

Here's some good overall travel tips.
Money:
1. Credit cards are the safest way to go since you can guard against loss of cash with them. do this before leaving. Make a copy (both sides) of the two credit cards you will take along. Take a copy with you and leave one with family at home. You want two cards, if possible, in case one gets away from you-don't carry both on you, leave one at hotel. It's also a good idea to call the cards customer service people to tell them where you are going so they will not suspend your card due to unusual activity. Do the same with your passport. In some countries, American passports sell for thousands of dollars. I wear a belt made for hiding money in it for an emergency cash supply should you lose you purse or billfold while out and about.
2. Shopping and packing. I've learned not to pack my bag very full on the outbound trip and you will have some room for stuff you will buy, especially clothes. I only travel with a bag (one only and carry-on) about half full of stuff and pack the other half with snack foods which I will consume along the way saving on high food costs.
Be ready for the shock that the items you will shop for will cost much more with the exchange rate on the Euro.
Possessions:
3. Never travel with anything you can't afford to lose. It's easy to happen due to the many ways things can get away from you. One of my travel agent friends has a ritual she does at every occasion for transferring from one place to another. Know how many bags or purses, backpacks, etc. and do a physical count on the bags before heading out. many of the losses are due to forgetful travelers who simply don't take everything with them.

There are many other tricks to wise traveling. Some of them, I have learned the hard way and some I have learned from the mistakes of others. Many web sites will give you good travel suggestions. See one below.
happy trails and Ciao!!

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: