Exchange rate in Rome?

[KeypoX]

Current exchange rate is 1.417usd to euro? I figure the fees and stuff will be cheaper at my local bank. But I cannot find the fees at the Ciampino in rome.

So whats the best way to do this. I think my CC charges 3% extra, is there more fees at site? I know i need some cash for trains and local stuff.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

When I went to Europe, I found the best way was to put your money on your ATM, go over there to a sister branch (Ask your bank which ones they are) and withdraw. No fees, just straight exchange rate.

 

[Phoenix86]

Should I exchange here (US) for euros or wait till a couple weeks in rome

If we could answer this we would all be billionaires.

Think about it.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

find a CC that doesnt have an intl surcharge, u will get the best exchange rate of the day

 

[KeypoX]

Originally posted by: AznAnarchy99
When I went to Europe, I found the best way was to put your money on your ATM, go over there to a sister branch (Ask your bank which ones they are) and withdraw. No fees, just straight exchange rate.

ok sweet thats a good idea i will see if my bank has any. Its regions if anyone knows...

 

[edtsui]

This was last week in Rome from a random bank near the Pantheon:

ATM Transaction NON-CHASE ATM WITHDRAW XXXXXX 08/01 BANCANAZL Euro 200.00 X 1.416050 (EXCHG RTE) + 8.50 (EXCHG RTE ADJ) = $291.71

More or less the same in Barcelona and Paris. Amsterdam Central Station ATM was actually the cheapest.

 

[KeypoX]

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
find a CC that doesnt have an intl surcharge, u will get the best exchange rate of the day

Unfortantly I asked all my CC's and all do. And dont have time to get another.

 

[dullard]

Usually, the best way to go is in this order (from cheapest to most expensive):

1) CC with good terms. (Cheapest).
2) CC with normal terms.
3) ATM with good terms.
4) Barter directly with the merchant (if possible).
5) ATM with normal terms.
6) Your home bank.
7) Cash advance from a CC.
8) Airport or other kiosk. (Most expensive)

That is, if you can, don't get many Euros. Just buy what you want with your credit card. You'll get the best possible exchange rate and often the lowest possible fees. But, of course, there are always exceptions.

The key to ATMs is to withdraw the maximum amount. You might be charged a bad exchange rate, a exchange fee, AND a ~$5 per withdrawl for using a different bank. If you withdraw $100 or less at a time, those $5 fees really add up. Instead, get $500 worth. Your bank might not allow that much to be withdrawn in a day, but I've always had good luck talking them in person before the trip and getting the max daily amount increased.

Last time I was in Rome, the exchange rate was the worst ever for dollars to Euros. Right around 1.6 dollars per Euro. The exchange rate made food was very expensive, but it was still very tasty and worth every dollar.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Last year I timed it nicely, when the pound was at it's lowest, I got about 400pounds worth, and when I got their, the exchange rate was about 20-25 cents more per dollar...saved some good kaching.

I went to my local bank to get it, easy as pie.

 

[KeypoX]

Originally posted by: dullard
Usually, the best way to go is in this order (from cheapest to most expensive):

1) CC with good terms. (Cheapest).
2) CC with normal terms.
3) ATM with good terms.
4) Barter directly with the merchant (if possible).
5) ATM with normal terms.
6) Your home bank.
7) Cash advance from a CC.
8) Airport or other kiosk. (Most expensive)

That is, if you can, don't get many Euros, just buy what you want with your credit card. You'll get the best possible exchange rate and often the lowest possible fees. But, of course, there are always exceptions.

The key to ATMs is to withdraw the maximum amount. You might be charged a bad exchange rate, a exchange fee, AND a ~$5 per withdrawl for using a different bank. If you withdraw $100 or less at a time, those $5 fees really add up. Instead, get $500 worth. Your bank might not allow that much to be withdrawn in a day, but I've always had good luck talking them in person before the trip and getting the max daily amount increased.

Last time I was in Rome, the exchange rate was the worst ever for dollars to Euros. Right around 1.6 dollars per Euro. The exchange rate made food was very expensive, but it was still very tasty and worth every dollar.

Well CC charges 3%, but do many merchants also charge a fee for a Visa/CC? Seems this might be the best if merchants dont charge.

Do the trains take CC?

 

[edtsui]

How long are you in Rome? If you're there for play for a couple of days, a Roma pass will get you 2 museum entries for free and the rest discounted along with free train rides for 2 days. Rome seems like a more cash friendly place rather than CCs in my experience at least.

 

[KeypoX]

Originally posted by: edtsui
How long are you in Rome? If you're there for play for a couple of days, a Roma pass will get you 2 museum entries for free and the rest discounted along with free train rides for 2 days. Rome seems like a more cash friendly place rather than CCs in my experience at least.

Yeah just 2 days, dunno if i wanna spend a lot of time in museums, they take so long to go through. Just wanna sight see everything we can and eat of course lol.

 

[acheron]

I've found ATMs in Europe to be my best bet when I've gone there. If you've got a good CC that works too. Exchange rate wise it's usually not worth it to get euros before going over, unless you want a little cash for as soon as you arrive (for taxis or something), since you're not going to get a good rate while you're still at the airport.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: KeypoX
Well CC charges 3%, but do many merchants also charge a fee for a Visa/CC? Seems this might be the best if merchants dont charge.

Do the trains take CC?

I'm not quite sure that I'm following you. So, I'm going to be overly wordy and repeat myself.

If you use a CC, the merchant does not tack on a fee. You pay what the price is. Your credit card company will convert that price in Euros to dollars at a far better exchange rate than you'll get anywhere else. The credit card will also tack on a fee (often 1%-3%).

If you use an ATM, you'll get a decent exchange rate, probably pay a hidden exchange fee (buried the the exchange rate), and pay an out of the network ATM fee.

If you use your own bank, you'll probably get a really crappy exchange rate and you'll pay a fee.

Yes, you can use credit cards for the trains in Italy. You can buy the tickets with machines in the station or with a clerk at the station. When you get off the airport in Rome, you'll need a 30 minute train trip to get to the heart of Rome. The train clerk is in the back corner where you might not see them amongst the restaurant and tourist sales booths. Buy a ticket and punch it in the yellow machine near the track before you board. If you don't punch it, you'll be travelling illegally and I did once see cops checking in Naples.

Note: when I was in Italy (in locations other than Rome) there were some things that I thought were trains but they turned out to be above ground subways. Those tickets required cash at the nearest cigarrette store (convenience store). The same is with busses you often buy the tickets at a cigarrette store, but sometimes there is a machine on the bus that accepts Euros.

 

[edtsui]

Originally posted by: KeypoX

Originally posted by: edtsui
How long are you in Rome? If you're there for play for a couple of days, a Roma pass will get you 2 museum entries for free and the rest discounted along with free train rides for 2 days. Rome seems like a more cash friendly place rather than CCs in my experience at least.

Yeah just 2 days, dunno if i wanna spend a lot of time in museums, they take so long to go through. Just wanna sight see everything we can and eat of course lol.

Well the Roma pass gets you into the coliseum and the forum as well. It counts as one "museum" entry.

Find a copy of Rick Steves' Rome book. It's worth every penny and it'll give you some tips on where to eat. There's a ton of good mom and pop shops littered all over the area.

I'm not much of a museum person, but you really should try to make it out to the Vatican Museum. It's mind blasting.

 

[zinfamous]

ATM.

/thread.

never exchange cash. EVER. Just withdraw all from ATM, wherever you are, in the local currency.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: KeypoX
Yeah just 2 days, dunno if i wanna spend a lot of time in museums, they take so long to go through. Just wanna sight see everything we can and eat of course lol.

I had 3 days in Rome, and it was just enough to see the main locations.

Get to the Colosseum area early. There you can see the Colosseum and the Roman forum. The forum closes at 5 pm which is why I said to get there early. But, you can always look at the forum from afar after 5 pm. From the Colosseum, you can walk to sights like the Parthenon and Trevi fountain. Although the Trevi fountain isn't really that much to look at. There are plenty of statues and fountains everywhere in Rome that are equally as impressive. A city walk alone is worth the trip to Rome.

I really liked the catacombs, but they are a long trip away and take quite some time to go through. Be certain that they are open on the day you visit (like Museums, they aren't open every day).

The Vatican is an museum that is worth going to if you have time. If you don't buy a tour guide (~$50 each), expect to be in line for 3 hours at least. The tour guide really helps make things more understandable there. The Sistein (horrible spelling I bet) chapel is certainly nice in the Vatican. The Vatican also has its own catacombs if you can't get to the others. If you don't have the time, just go to the back of the Vatican (it is open to the public, free, and no line). The back is the area that you see on TV where the Pope speaks. The best restaurant that I ate at in Rome was in that area just behind the city wall from the back of the Vatican. It was a hole in the wall and they don't speak English in that restaurant unlike most other restaurants. But the food was authentic, cheap, and good.

Just about any church you see on your walk is worth going into. It takes just a few minutes and the archetecture is beautiful. Also the walls are likely to be lined with art.

Unless you really like bridges, I'd skip them. They didn't impress me. It was raining that day though.

 

[acheron]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: KeypoX
Yeah just 2 days, dunno if i wanna spend a lot of time in museums, they take so long to go through. Just wanna sight see everything we can and eat of course lol.

I had 3 days in Rome, and it was just enough to see the main locations.

Get to the Colosseum area early. There you can see the Colosseum and the Roman forum. The forum closes at 5 pm which is why I said to get there early. But, you can always look at the forum from afar after 5 pm. From the Colosseum, you can walk to sights like the Parthenon and Trevi fountain. Although the Trevi fountain isn't really that much to look at. There are plenty of statues and fountains everywhere in Rome that are equally as impressive.

I really liked the catacombs, but they are a long trip away and take quite some time to go through. Be certain that they are open on the day you visit (like Museums, they aren't open every day).

The Vatican is an museum, that is worth going to if you have time. If you don't buy a tour guide (~$50 each), expect to be in line for 3 hours at least. The tour guide really helps make things more understandable there. The Sistein (horrible spelling I bet) chapel is certainly nice in the Vatican. The Vatican also has its own catacombs if you can't get to the others. If you don't have the time, just go to the back of the Vatican (it is open to the public, free, and no line). The back is the area that you see on TV where the Pope speaks. The best restaurant that I ate at in Rome was in that area just behind the city wall from the back of the Vatican. It was a hole in the wall and they don't speak English. But the food was authentic, cheap, and good.

Just about any church is worth going into. It takes just a few minutes and the archetecture is beautiful. Also the walls are likely to be lined with art.

Good tips, except that walking to Greece takes awhile. (The Parthenon is in Athens. You meant "Pantheon". )

I was only in Rome for 1 day, unfortunately. I keep wanting to go back. I skipped the Vatican completely, which is what I'd definitely want to see when I go back. I'm a nerd about ancient Roman history though, so that's what I concentrated on for the short time I was there. The Palatine hill, up from the forums (fora?) is really nice as well.

 

[zinfamous]

Rome actually doesn't have as much to offer as many of the other Italian cities do, when it comes to things that must be seen, imo. 2 days was more than enough for me, while I felt that 5 months in Florence wasn't quite enough for everything nestled away in that much, much smaller city....

Rome: -The Forum/Colosseum/Tomb of Julius II (Michelangelo's Moses)/Pantheon/etc. can all be done in ~1/2 a day.
-The Vatican will eat up most of a day, and it should. This is really the only essential museum in Rome, and you have to spend a good chunk of time there.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: KeypoX

Originally posted by: AznAnarchy99
When I went to Europe, I found the best way was to put your money on your ATM, go over there to a sister branch (Ask your bank which ones they are) and withdraw. No fees, just straight exchange rate.

ok sweet thats a good idea i will see if my bank has any. Its regions if anyone knows...

actually you don`t look for sister bankc...on your card mit will have logos such as VISA...etc.....you can use any ATM that has one of the logos listedn on your card...just be careful of charges to use machines!