Page 206 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sardinia

204  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Banking and Local Currency

Most establishments accept major credit cards. Those paying
with a credit card may be asked to show identification proofs,
such as passport or driver’s licence. Banks are the best place
to exchange foreign currency, but opening hours are limited.
You’ll find foreign exchange machines or bureaux de change
at airports and some train stations. ATMs, known as bancomat,
are widespread and accept major cards with a PIN number.

Banks and Bureaux towns and smaller villages. To
de Change
avoid complications, check An automatic cash dispenser
Bank opening hours are roughly which cards the ATM accepts in Orgósolo
8:30am–1:30pm and 3–4:30pm before inserting your cards. Costs
from Monday to Friday. All for cash withdrawals will be set credit cards are accepted,
banks close at weekends and by your bank. Bear in mind that the most popular cards being
on public holidays. Banking ATMs may run out of notes Visa and MasterCard. Only the
hours are slightly erratic, so it’s during weekends or before a more expensive establishments
advisable to arrive with some major holiday. Before travelling, will take American Express.
local currency. Bureaux de make sure you inform your bank Travelling with more than
change are found in airports, of your trip to Italy, to prevent one credit (and debit) card
stations and tourist areas and your card from getting blocked is recommended in case one is
have longer opening hours, due to “unusual activity”. not accepted. Some restaurants,
sometimes until late evening, cafés and shops require a mini­
but charge higher commissions. mum expenditure to accept a
Credit and Debit Cards
credit card payment. Always
Credit cards, once regarded make sure you have cash in
ATMs
with suspicion in Sardinia, are case your card is not accepted.
Automatic cash dispenser now accepted without any
(bancomat) can be found question by hotels, restaurants Currency
wherever there is a bank and are and shops, especially those in
easy to find both in all the larger the tourist areas. All the major The euro (€) is the common
currency of the European Union.
Euro Bank Notes It went into general circulation
Euro bank notes have seven denominations. The €5 note (grey in on 1 January 2002, originally
colour) is the smallest, followed by the €10 note (pink), €20 note (blue), for 12 participating countries,
€50 note (orange), €100 note (green), €200 note (yellow) and €500 note of which Italy was one.
(purple). All the notes show the stars of the European Union.
DIRECTORY
Banks and Bureaux
de Change
Banco di Sardegna
5 euros 10 euros Via Tiziano 50, Cagliari.
Via De Filippi 11, Olbia.
Largo San Francesco 19, Alghero.
∑ bancosardegna.it
Olbia Airport Forexchange
Tel 800 305357.
20 euros ∑ forexchange.it
50 euros
Euro Bank Coins
The euro has eight coin denominations: €1 and €2; 50 cents, 20 cents, Lost Credit Cards
10 cents, 5 cents, 2 cents and 1 cent. The €2 and €1 coins are silver American Express
and gold in colour. The 50-, 20- and 10-cent coins are gold. The 5-, Tel 06 72900347.
2- and 1-cent coins are bronze.
Cartasi/VISA
Tel 800 151616 and 800 819014.
Mastercard
Tel 800 870866.
5 cents 10 cents 20 cents 1 euro 2 euro

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