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Is it better to carry cash or card in Italy?

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.



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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.

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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.

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How much money should you bring to Italy? Single traveler: A solo traveler can expect to spend around 50-150 euros per day, or 150-450 euros for a 3-day trip to Italy. This would include budget accommodations, meals at inexpensive restaurants or street food, and free or low-cost sightseeing options.

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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.

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You'll also likely find Italy to be less expensive than other popular European destinations such as the UK or Scandinavia. On average you can expect a trip to Italy to cost €70-295 per person per day (around $74 to $310 USD).

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The cost of a trip to Italy for a week will vary depending on your travel style and preferences. A budget traveler can expect to spend around 800-1000 euros, while a mid-range traveler can expect to spend around 1500-2000 euros. Luxury travelers can expect to spend upwards of 3000 euros.

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The easiest and cheapest way is to use an ATM at the airport in Rome to get some Euros, although there is usually no need to get Euros before you leave. You can buy Euros in the US but you will pay a premium. I would suggest withdrawing Euros from an ATM at the Rome airport.

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