Venice > Planning > Money, currency, creditcards
ATMs, credit cards, and currency exchange
ABOVE: Visa and MasterCard are accepted by many,but not all, shops and restaurants in Venice.
Money is thefuel that powers your Venice holiday, so it pays to know a few basic rules aboutcash, currency exchange, and credit cards before you leave home.
The euro
Italy is part of the euro zone. Don't be one of therubes who try to pay Italians in U.S. dollars or pounds sterling--use the localcurrency, just as you'd expect foreign visitors to do at home.
Using ATMs or cashpoints
Your best source of cash is a "bancomat," theItalian word for "automated teller machine" (ATM) or" cashpoint." You'll findATMs on bank buildings all over the city, and most of them have instructions inseveral languages.
Here are a few tips on using cash machines:
Make sure that your home bank knows you're traveling. (Somebanks block foreign transactions, allegedly for security reasons, unlessthey've been notified ahead of time.)
Look for bancomats that have logos for Cirrus, Plus,Maestro, and other international ATM networks. (Machines at the Cassa diRisparmio di Venezia, a local savings institution with many branches,dispense cash only to account holders.)
Be prepared to use a four-digit numberic PIN. If your bankuses a combination of letters and numbers, or if it requires a six-digitPIN, ask the bank to change your PIN or give you instructions for using ATMsoverseas.
Some bancomat menus require users of foreign cards to select"International card" before making a withdrawal. (This is okay--you're justconfirming that the machine needs to connect with an international ATMnetwork.)
Be aware that many banks add both transaction fees andsurcharges of several percent to cash withdrawals outside their ownnetworks. If your bank is greedy, you may want to switch banks.
If possible, carry ATM cards for two different banks, justin case one of your cards doesn't work. (Also, don't wait until you'realmost broke before getting more cash, since international ATM networkssometimes go offline for a few hours.)
Exchanging cash for local currency
ATMs or cashpoints nearly always have the bestexchange rates. Currency-exchange offices and hotel reception desks tend tooffer poor rates, and sometimes their commissions are outrageous. (The last timewe checked the Travelex office in Venice, it was charging an 8.5 percentcommission on U.S. dollar notes, plus a €3,50 handling fee.
If you must exchange cash or traveler'schecks, try to limit the quantity, because changing money twice (from yourcurrency to euros, and from euros back to your own currency) will mean two heftycommissions.
Using credit cards
Visa and MasterCard are accepted by mostshops and restaurants, though smaller merchants, some neighborhood restaurantsor bars, and food vendors may not take plastic. (Also, restaurant tips arenormally given in cash.) American Express is accepted at higher-end boutiquesand restaurants that cater to tourists.
Warnings:
Most credit-card companies now imposesurcharges on foreign transactions, and these surcharges can range from 2 to4 percent or more. If you have several credit cards, learn which one has thelowest surcharge, and use that card for your trip. (We normally use CapitalOne, which doesn't levy a surcharge for American cardholders.)
Some credit-card issuers refuse foreigncharges unless you've notified the company of your trip ahead of time. It'sa good idea to call the toll-free number on the back of your card beforedeparture, just to make sure that your card will be honored while you'reabroad.
Protecting your valuables
Hardly anyone gets mugged or robbed in Venice, butpickpockets, purse-snatchers, and camera thieves aren't uncommon--especially inbusy tourist areas like the railroad station and the Piazza San Marco. Keep mostof your cash, your credit and ATM cards, and your passport in a "neck safe"beneath your clothing, and don't be obvious about digging them out in publicplaces.
For more information about cash, credit cards,tax-free shopping, and other money-related topics, see the following articles atEuropeforvisitors.com:
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About the author:
PC Magazine
Durant Imboden haswritten about Venice, Italy since 1996.He covered Venice and European travel at About.com for 4-1/2 years before launchingEurope for Visitors (includingVenice for Visitors) with CherylImboden in 2001.
Photo: Visa.
