How Much Cash to Bring to Italy - An American in Rome (2024)

FAQs

How Much Cash to Bring to Italy - An American in Rome? ›

You can bring up to €10,000 (or the equivalent in another currency) into Italy, without needing to declare it or take any other action. If you have more than that with you, you'll need to complete a customs declaration when you arrive.

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).

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.

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.

Does Italy Accept U.S. Dollars? Establishments in Italy do not accept U.S. dollars as a form of payment. You will need Italian currency for cash transactions in Italy. In places that do accept physical U.S. dollars, such as hotels, using them may result in very unfavorable exchange rates or additional fees.

A good rule of thumb is to carry $50-$100 a day in the local currency while travelling. Remember, though, that cash may not be the best option to pay for travel expenses. Credit cards offer great rewards, lower transaction fees, and can help you get a better exchange rate.

Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip.

Some tourists feel like they must 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.

Latest USD to ITL Converter Rate

The current price of 100 US Dollar in Italian Lira is 47.75M ITL.

All major credit and debit cards are accepted in Italy. Usually, shops and restaurants display a sign on the door to show which cards they take, but ask at the establishment first if you have any concerns. Smaller businesses might not accept card payments, so carry some cash just in case.

Tipping isn't the norm in Italy like it may be in North America and some other countries in Europe, but it is still appreciated. Feel free to leave a small amount if the service has been particularly good. In taxis, tipping is not expected, but if rounding up the charge makes life easier, go for it.

Is it cheaper to get euros in the US or in Europe? ›

With time at your disposal, you'll be able to see exactly what the fee and rate is, and how many euros you'll get for your dollars. It's possible of course that you might get a better deal when you land in Europe. It may well be the case that fees are lower and exchange rates better.

I like to set aside around 50 euros per day for travel expenses when traveling anywhere in Europe and, to be honest, I didn't even spend that half of the time in Italy – unless I was splurging on a day trip. You can easily get by on that while still enjoying yourself.

Rome is one of the most expensive tourism cities in southern Europe, owing partly to its high number of tourist attractions.

Card mostly but you'll need euro for small items like water or gelato. Use an atm for your euros. You should be fine with just a card.

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

Best place to exchange currency: Your bank or credit union

Many banks offer currency exchange to their customers. Though there may be a small fee if you exchange less than a certain amount, your bank or credit union will almost always be the cheapest place to exchange currency.

Average daily spend by real travellers in Rome: €107 (£87). This reflects what everyday travellers tend to spend in Rome. Think mid-range - most of the major attractions, a few cab rides, maybe a big night out, and a bit of shopping on the side.

You should plan to spend around $181 (€167) per day on your vacation in Italy. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average for one day: $49 (€45) on meals.

It expensive - I'd allow at least 150 euro a day per person to do it comfortably. Lunch can be 25/30 euro for a pizza and soft drink, dinner obviously more, than transport on top. And yes, you can just use a credit card for larger payments, but don't forget a small tip (€2-5) to a restaurant waiter.