What credit cards are good in Italy?

Most US-issued credit cards work in Italy. It's best to use cards issued by Visa or Mastercard, rather than American Express or Discover. The latter two are not as widely accepted, except in major cities and tourist hotspots. And it never hurts to have a little cash in euros in your wallet either, just in case.



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5 Top Payment Methods in Italy
  1. Cash. While many European countries have embraced alternative payment methods, cash remains the most common payment method in Italy. ...
  2. Card Payments. ...
  3. Digital Wallets. ...
  4. Bank Transfers. ...
  5. Buy Now Pay Later.


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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.

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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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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!

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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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Debit cards from any major US bank will work in any standard European bank's ATM (ideally, use a debit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo). As for credit cards, Visa and MasterCard are universal, American Express is less common, and Discover is unknown in Europe.

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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.

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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.

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Check with your card issuer about foreign transaction fees and currency exchange fees. Unlike the U.S., European credit card machines usually require a PIN. You can get this from your card issuer before you leave home. Contactless pay systems like Apple Pay are increasingly common.

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6 Things Not To Bring To Italy
  • A new haircut. Rushing around before your trip shouldn't include a haircut. ...
  • Running shoes/ sneakers. Really my friend, unless your actually using them to exercise: leave them at home. ...
  • More baggage than you can carry. ...
  • Too many gadgets. ...
  • Travellers cheques. ...
  • Dirty Bra Straps.


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The currency of Italy is the Euro (€). US dollars are not accepted.

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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.

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