Money, Currency and Cards in Italy
Local Currency
Euro (EUR)
General Advice
A modern, western country with abundant ATMs in major cities and with the Euro as its currency Italy presents few problems for most traveller, except those travelling in rural areas. Such travellers should change enough money prior to setting out on that leg of their trip as change facilities/ATMs are not easily available. Travellers’ cheques should generally be avoided.
Money Exchange
All moderately sized town and cities have banks and casas de cambios where sterling or other major currencies can be exchanged with ease. Banks offer generally better exchange rates than casas de cambios. Most people arrive with a supply of Euros on them, perhaps from a previous trip or obtained from home prior to departure, but it is just as easy to obtain Euros on arrival. Travel with a mixture of Sterling, Euros and plastic.
ATM Availability
Bancomats as they are called in Italy are widely available in towns and cities in popular touristic areas, less so (sometimes much less so) in rural areas.
Credit Cards
Larger shops, restaurants and hotels are happy to accept credit cards.
Travellers Cheques
Travellers’ cheques are useful for those that worry about the loss of their cash or cards, but fewer and fewer travellers are relying on them as time passes. Charges can be high. Most banks in Italy can exchange travellers’ cheques. Take them in Euros to avoid exchange rate losses.
Other Information
The currency of Italy is the Euro (EUR) € nominally subdivided into 100 cents.
Banknotes are issued in denominations of €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10, €5. The euro coins are €2, €1, €0.50, €0.20, €0.10, €0.05, €0.02, and €0.01.
