Page 622 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

620  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Banking and Local Currency holiday. Bureaux de change,
however, are often open all day,
Virtually all Italian hotels, many shops, large restaurants and and in some places they also
petrol stations accept major credit cards. Only in the more stay open until late at night.
off-the-beaten-track locations will you have difficulties
without cash in euros, though some establishments will offer Using Banks
a discount for payments made in cash, especially in low season. For security purposes, most
When you pay with a credit card, you might be asked to show banks have electronic double
identification, such as your passport. Foreign currency can doors with metal detectors, that
be changed in banks, although these are often crowded and allow one person in at a time.
service tends to be slow. All banks have cashpoint machines Metal objects and bags should
first be deposited in the lockers
(bancomat) that will accept cards with a PIN number. situated in the foyer. Press the
Most machines also accept MasterCard, VISA and American button to open the outer door,
Express cards. Although banks often have the best exchange then wait for it to close behind
rates, bureaux de change and foreign exchange machines you. The inner door then opens
can be more convenient. automatically. Do not be
alarmed by the heavily armed
guards you will see patrolling
they usually have worse most banks in Italy.
exchange rates and charge Changing money at a bank
more commission than banks. can be a frustrating process
involving endless form-filling and
queuing. First you have to go to
Regional Differences in the window that displays the
Cost of Living cambio sign and then to the
The north is generally more cassa to obtain your money.
expensive than the south, but If in doubt, ask someone in
there are many exceptions. order to avoid waiting in the
Restaurants and hotels off the wrong queue.
Cash dispenser, which also accepts VISA and beaten track are usually better If you need to have money
MasterCard (Access) value, and buying locally made sent to you in Italy, banks at
produce is cost effective if you home can transfer money to an
avoid obvious tourist traps. Italian bank, but it can take up
Changing Money
to a week. American Express,
Banking hours are somewhat Thomas Cook and Western
restrictive and can also be slightly Banking Hours Union all provide swifter money
erratic so it is safest to acquire a Banks are usually open between transfer services, with a charge
small amount of local currency 8:30am and 1:30pm, Monday to the sender.
before you arrive in Italy. to Friday. Most also open for an
Exchange rates will vary from hour in the afternoon, from Cash Machines
place to place. about 2:15pm to 3pm or 2:30pm
Traveller’s cheques are no until 3:30pm, depending on Withdrawing cash from an ATM
longer in common use in Italy. the bank. All banks close at (automatic teller machine) with
Few stores will accept them weekends and for public a credit card is a straightforward
(or even know what they are). holidays, and they also close process. Choose your language
A more modern alternative to early the day before a major on the screen and follow the
the traveller’s cheque is a prepaid instructions. You will need to
currency card. You can apply type in your PIN number, so
online for a card, preload money make sure you know it. Should
from your current account and your card be swallowed up by a
convert it into euros. You can cash machine for some reason
then use the card much like a (for example if you used an
debit card in shops, restaurants, incorrect PIN number), it may be
bars and ATMs. They can be sent back to the issuing bank.
topped up at any time and However, if the bank is open do
cancelled if stolen. As they ask inside. Costs for cash with-
are not connected to a bank drawals are set by your bank, so
account, they minimize the check before you travel. It may
risks of fraud. be advisable to take out a largish
Bureaux de change can amount of money in one go, but
be found in all main towns. Metal-detecting security doors found at bear in mind that ATMs may run
Although they are easier to use, most banks out of notes during weekends.

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