How much cash should I travel to Italy with?

Don't bring any more cash with you than you'd normally carry with you in your own country on a daily basis. Bear in mind the increased pickpocketing risk for a tourist in Rome. When you get to the airport, get one or two hundred euros out of one of the ATMs in the baggage hall just in case (they don't charge fees).



People Also Ask

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.

MORE DETAILS

As a rough estimate, a budget traveler might spend around 100-150 euros per day, or 300-450 euros total, for a 2-night, 3-day trip to Italy, excluding flights. This would include basic accommodation, inexpensive meals, public transportation or walking, and low-cost sightseeing options.

MORE DETAILS

It's always wise to carry a small amount of cash for smaller cafes and restaurants, some public transport options, and taxis who may not accept credit card payments. We once visited the same restaurant 5 years in a row, only to discover each time that their card machine was out of order!

MORE DETAILS

You'll get the best exchange rate. (This is assuming your cc balance is zero.) For two people I would budget about $2,000 for two weeks. But have more available in case you need it.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Using credit and debit cards in Italy is the easiest and cheapest way to get local currency. Make sure to notify your banks that you'll be traveling to Italy before you go. Be sure your PIN is both four digits long and numbers rather than letters.

MORE DETAILS

If you ask locals “Do you tip in Italy?”, they'll explain that while they sometimes leave a small tip, it's generally not necessary. In Italy, gratuity (or una mancia, pronounced oo-nah MAN-chah) is considered a bonus for exceptional service. And it's not often that you'll find a tip jar at a register.

MORE DETAILS

Italy's currency is the Euro (€). 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.

MORE DETAILS

It all depends on where you're going and what you plan to do during your trip. As you can see from our travel costs table above, some European cities are cheaper or more expensive than others. As a general rule, though, it's a good idea to budget at least $100 a day for your vacation.

MORE DETAILS

You can provide proof that you have sufficient financial resources to fund a trip to Italy in one of the following ways: Bank statements. You must provide an original copy of your bank statements issued within the past month. The bank statement must be stamped and signed by an authorized bank official.

MORE DETAILS

US dollars: I carry $100–200 as a backup. While you won't use it for day-to-day purchases, American cash in your money belt comes in handy for emergencies, such as when banks go on strike or your ATM card stops working. I've been in Greece and Ireland when every bank went on strike, shutting down without warning.

MORE DETAILS

European travelers should always have some cash on hand; getting it from an ATM abroad is usually the easiest, most advantageous way. If you need cash from an ATM, it's usually better to use a debit card, because credit cards often charge a high interest rate for a cash advance.

MORE DETAILS

Italian law requires that anyone in a public place must carry an identity document issued by their national government. For citizens of the USA, the only such document is a passport. Many people will say that the do not carry a passport or that they carry a copy, but the law is as stated.

MORE DETAILS

Average Daily Costs While meal prices in Italy can vary, the average cost of food in Italy is €45 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Italy should cost around €18 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner.

MORE DETAILS