Headed to Italy Next Friday

Most places will take your credit card. They always prefer cash, but most are happy to take tourist money any way they can. I used my CC from Rome to Palermo in Feb with no problems. You may encounter some odd things: like at a roadside Autogrill, I was buying snacks & a few local product souvenirs, and the inside register couldn’t take CCs. So the very nice attendant walked me outside to the gas station attendant, who could process my card.

Only one guest house insisted on cash, but we knew it in advance, so it didn’t present any problems.

ATMs are everywhere.

I just got back a few weeks ago. Credit cards are almost a necessity. Very few places don't take them. Make sure you have the proper chip and let the credit card co. know you will be travelling overseas so that the charges won't raise a red flag. The best and most efficient way to get euros is to use your pin # in the atm machine over there, although I always like to have a few euros in my pocket before I leave.

Yeah. I don’t remember a credit card being a problem to use anywhere in Italy as long as it’s chipped.

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Make sure you have the proper chip and let the credit card co. know you will be travelling overseas so that the charges won't raise a red flag.

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Strongly second this.

I’m literally taxi ING on the runway as I’m typing this

JFK to Istanbul

Istanbul to Munich

Thursday: Munich to Milan!!!

I went about 4 years ago. I would strongly recommend pulling out more euros than you think you will need when you find a good exchange rate. Do you have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees?

Also I would strongly recommend getting an international plan on your phone for the month, even if you don’t plan on using it. I used the maps feature on my phone more than anything else. It was especially helpful with public transportation and times.

Many places (outside of Rome, where it isn't technically legal) will show the included service charge on the menu, listed as "coperto", that you pay per person seated at the table, regardless of whatever else is ordered. Thus, service is already included, so you don't need to figure a percentage tip. You can leave a couple euro change (but not mere cents, that's just slightly insulting).

We usually just tip the change if we pay cash. If the bill is 73 Euro we'll just give them 75-80 Euro. Nothing is really expected but they do appreciate it.

We ordered Euros from our bank prior to going to Italy. You can typically get a better exchange rate and it's good to have some on hand when you hit the ground running. Don't worry if you don't, plenty of ATMs. But watch for the transaction fees and understand how your bank works internationally.

PS: Everyone takes credit cards!

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Not really. Most do, but credit cards are still not used in Europe like they are in the USA. In the big cities and the tourist areas certainly, but once you get out to the smaller cities and towns there are still plenty of places that don't take cards or really prefer cash.

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We didn't have any issues with using cards, even in smaller towns in Italy. Was there last year. Not finding ATMS or banks you could get cash (using debit cards) was more problematic. That's why it's best to have stash of Euros, plus you'll have the potential for transaction fees (but we used a travel card, BOA, that it didn't have transaction fees).