Italy uses the euro as its currency. In fact, the same currency is used in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands plus Portugal and Spain. Many feel the use of the euro has actually been a useful tool for visitors, because the euro is fairly easy to understand. It’s also easy to exchange dollars for euro.
The euro paper bills come in 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 and 500 denominations. The bills are quite brightly colored. As the value increases, the physical size of the bill gets larger. There are also coins that come in 1, 2, .10, .20, .50 and .01 and .02.
On the Italian money you’ll see the names of different countries, so don’t be alarmed. It’s supposed to look like this! One side has the European side, while the other has a national look – where each country has its own design. The euros are all accepted in participating countries. One euro is worth about $1.37.
It’s easy to exchange your dollars for euros. You can even get euros from ATMs. You can exchange them at entry points in Italy. There are also ATMs and exchange bureaus at airports, train stations and places in the cities. You’ll often see a sign that says “change/cambio.” There is a fee for the exchange. You might want to get into Italy with a few euro in your pocket – just in case the line at the airport is long. You might want enough for a taxi ride and a meal.
The simplest way to get cash is to use an ATM machine. You’ll need to contact your bank ahead of time to get the details on your specific situation. Your bank should also be able to give you ATM locations in the destinations you plan to visit. Another thing to keep in mind is that your bank may have a limit on how much you can withdrawal daily. European ATMs require a 4-digit PIN code, so you may need a new one while traveling in order to access your money. Italian ATMs only display numbers, so if your current PIN is letters – make sure you know how it will work there.
If you plan to visit some small villages or towns in Tuscany, be aware that many small shops, restaurants and even bed and breakfasts only take cash. So, you’ll want enough euro to be comfortable.
Another thing to know is that many people like to transfer money from savings into checking. But ATMs in Italy won’t let you transfer money in between accounts like this. Yikes! If your checking runs dry, you may need to have your bank move money into your account. Some banks charge high fees for this task.
Many businesses will accept credit cards, so they can be a handy way to pay for items on your trip. Exchange rates tend to generally be favorable. However, some credit cards might not work, so you might want to have at least two credit cards on your trip as a safe way to go.
Traveler’s checks have gone out of fashion, because ATMs are much more convenient.
