Don’t leave home without it…no, not your American Express…your Euro’s-the money of Italy!
Depending on where you are traveling you would be wise to show up with money in hand. Cash is key, and credit cards are not used everywhere. I find that all hotels and touristy type places take credit cards but remember-there is a FEE for the credit card company to make the exchange. You will see it on your monthly statement. If you use your debit card which is what most travel agents tell you to do..also a FEE. You will be charged a few bucks on your end and the machine you are using (I find this annoying because how can you balance your check book without knowing the exchange? You really can’t until you get home?).
Anyone can google “exchange rate” and find out what your poor little US Dollar is worth in Euro’s but all that really goes down the drain depending on where you trade.
After trying every way known to man-here is the cheapest I have found so far…Get the money from your bank 10 days before you leave. I can trade in 1,000’s for less than 20 bucks! People think exchange rates change according to location- but they are really standard-it’s the fees that change. Worst place-airports and those little kiosks on high traffic roads in tourist towns. If you get to Italy and run out of money try to find a local bank to exchange your money. The fees are very fair. You will need your passport and a smile. The bank hours are usually 8:30-11:30 and then a few hours after lunch like 1:00-3:00.
Euro’s are lovely, colorful bills starting at $5 and going up. They feel like play money. But once you realize how bad the exchange rate is you will hold on to them for dear life! As I write this I got 75cents to my US dollar yesterday-what a drag….could be worse, could be the sterling pound which is 50cents to my dollar, which is why I will not be going to London any time soon.
Remember one and two Euro’s are in the form of coins. You can not generally exchange these when you return! So the last few days use these up first. If you think you will ever return just keep what is left or find someone that is going and exchange money to save you from getting hit with more …FEES!
A few other things that may help when you travel regarding money….
Have coins ready for the toll roads. If you have plenty of coins you may drive through the lane marked with a sign showing coins. If you will need change get in the lane marked with a sign of a person’s hand holding out change.
Need to go to the restroom in a train station or where they are charging you a fee? These are usually one euro. Find yourself without any change?-look around for a change machine-you will need to lift the silver lever up and insert you bill for change.
Use the dimes and nickels to tip the lovely guy or gal who made your amazing latte at the bar. .20c is usually the fair tip for this.
Stuck in a parking garage or lot?-push the button to get your ticket first, then reinsert the ticket as you leave and place coins in accordingly.
Take TIME TO PLAN!
If you know how much your hotel is going to be, how many museums you want visit(research the fees online), tourists menu’s range from 5.50 for lunch to 11e for dinner, add some extra for coffee and gelato daily and attempt to come up with a figure you may need.
The only thing you can not pay for in cash is your rental car. You must have a tried and true credit card for that-NOT a debit card.
Money is hard to come by so make the most of yours! Don’t be afraid to carry cash, unless you are in Rome or Naples you are generally very safe. If you are in those areas carry an inside travel wallet (you can get at Wal-Mart) or an over the shoulder small purse that zips!
Quant’e=how much is it? Learn this and a few other phrases and you’ll be fine!
