Page 212 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Milan & The Lakes

210  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Banking and Currency Currency
Italy’s currency is the euro.
Milan has very good public services. There is a bank on almost Euro banknotes have seven
every street corner, and most of them have automatic cash denominations. The €5 note
dispensers. In the smaller villages around the lakes, banks (grey) is the smallest, followed
with cash dispensers are less easy to find, so plan ahead and by the €10 note (pink), €20 note
(blue), €50 note (orange), €100
take some cash with you. Credit cards are widely accepted by note (green), €200 note (yellow)
all but the smallest of businesses. Currency can be exchanged and the €500 note (purple).
at post offices, banks, bureaux de change and, at a less The euro has eight coin denom-
competitive rate, some hotels. Always compare rates to find inations: the €1 and €2 coins are
the most favourable one. both silver and gold in colour;
the 50-, 20- and 10-cent coins
are gold; and the 5-, 2- and
however, using an ATM to 1-cent coins are bronze.
withdraw cash can often be Do not carry large amounts
a more economical option. of cash on you, and never
underestimate the need for
coins and small notes in Italy.
ATMs Taxis and smaller shops and
ATMs (bancomat) are ubiquitous museums can rarely change
in Milan. Be aware, though, that large notes.
some of the smaller villages
around the lakes may not have DIRECTORY
either a bank or an ATM.
The majority of ATMs have Banks
instructions in English and other Banca Popolare di Milano
European languages. Always Piazza Filippo Meda 4.
use caution when withdrawing Map 4 D5. Tel 02-770 01.
cash and avoid any machine
you are unsure about. Banca Popolare di Lodi
Main branch of the UniCredit bank, in Piazza dei Mercanti 5.
Piazza Cordusio Map 7 C1. Tel 02-850 81.
Credit Cards and Intensa San Paolo
Banks Traveller’s Cheques Via Verdi 8. Map 7 C1.
Milanese banks are open Both in Milan and at the lakes, Tel 02-88 621.
8:30am–1:30pm and 2:30–4pm most businesses accept UniCredit
Monday to Friday and some MasterCard and Visa, while Piazza Cordusio.
open on Saturday mornings; American Express and Diners Map 7 C1. Tel 02-88 621.
opening times may vary by Club are less frequently
about a quarter of an hour accepted. However, some Currency Exchange
from bank to bank. Most restaurants, cafés and shops
banks have ATMs, which take may require a minimum Forexchange Linate
all major credit cards, including expenditure to accept credit International arrivals.
Tel 800-30 53 57.
American Express and Visa. card payment. Always make ∑ forexchange.it
sure you have some cash in case
your credit card is not accepted. Forexchange Malpensa
Currency Exchange Note that petrol stations do not International departures T2.
It is a good idea to bring some take credit cards, only cash. Tel 800-30 53 57.
euros with you to avoid poor To avoid problems using ∑ forexchange.it
exchange rates and/or high your card while abroad, inform Lost and Stolen
charges, but it is possible to your credit card company Credit Cards
change money at the airports. before travelling. In the event of
Forexchange Linate in the the loss or theft of your credit American Express
arrival lounge of Linate airport, card, contact the numbers listed Tel 06-72 90 03 47 or 800-87 43
is open 7am–midnight daily; in the Directory immediately. 33 (toll free).
the office in the departure Traveller’s cheques are Diners Club
lounge is open 6am–10pm. not as popular as they used Tel 800-39 39 39 (toll free).
Forexchange Malpensa, in to be and tourists are finding
Malpensa airport departures, it increasingly hard to cash MasterCard
is open 7am–11pm daily. or spend them. If you decide Tel 800-87 08 66 (toll free).
Larger post offices and to use them, choose a well- Visa
banks also offer exchange known name such as Tel 800-87 72 32 (toll free).
services at attractive rates; American Express.

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