Page 276 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Venice & The Veneto

274  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Banking and Local Currency

Visitors to the Veneto have a number of options available unauthorized payments will
to them for changing money. Banks tend to give more then be refused. Keep a copy
favourable rates than bureaux de change, hotels and travel of your credit card number in
agents, but the paperwork is usually more time-consuming. a safe place, separate from the
actual card, in case of loss.
Alternatively, you can use a credit card for purchasing goods Prepaid credit cards are also
and services. If using a debit card, check with your bank about a safe option.
fees for overseas withdrawals before departing from home. Travellers’ cheques are another
safe way to carry money. They
are still accepted at leading
in Venice is the Cassa di exchange offices, though these
Risparmio di Venezia. may charge hefty commissions
Bureaux de change stay open to convert them into currency.
longer and work seven days a
week. The exchange offices at
Venice’s Stazione Venezia Santa ATMs
Lucia (see p280), Marco Polo Most banks have an ATM
Airport and Antonio Canova (bancomat) that will accept
Airport at Treviso (see p279), debit and major credit cards
stay open until the evening (Visa, MasterCard and American
and at weekends. Express). Cash dispensers will
Exchange rates vary from be located throughout the
place to place, but banks usually main cities. Instructions are
offer the best deal. Some hotels given in different languages.
also offer a currency exchange You will need to enter your
The waiting area of a bank in Vicenza service; rates tend to be poor, personal PIN number for a cash
but the commission is modest. withdrawal. Be aware that a
Banks and Bureaux If you need to have money percentage charge will usually
de Change sent to you in Italy, banks in be applied by your home
It is a good idea to acquire your home country can wire bank for this service.
some euros before you arrive money to an Italian bank, but Always take precautions to
in Italy. Changing foreign this can take up to a week. ensure that your PIN number
currency at a bank can be a For a swifter money-transfer remains a secret, and make sure
frustrating process because it service, try Travelex, the Italian nobody is looking over your
involves endless form-filling and agent for Western Union. shoulder as you type it in when
queuing. You must apply first using an ATM.
at the window displaying the
cambio sign, then move to the Credit and Debit Cards DIRECTORY
cassa to obtain your euros. If in Credit cards are widely accepted
doubt, ask a member of staff in throughout Italy and can be Banks and Bureaux
order to avoid waiting in the very useful, particularly for hotel de Change
wrong queue. and restaurant bills, shopping, Cassa di Risparmio
For security reasons, most car hire, booking tickets by di Venezia
banks have electronic double telephone and emergency Campo Manin, San Marco.
doors with metal detectors, situations. Visa, MasterCard and Map 7 A2.
allowing only one person in at American Express are the most Tel 041 529 24 39.
a time. Metal objects and bags popular. Be aware that most
should first be deposited in credit cards levy a surcharge on Travelex
Riva del Ferro, Rialto,
lockers situated in the foyer. over seas transactions. Some San Marco 5126. Map 7 A1.
Press the button to open the establish ments require a Tel 041 528 73 58.
outer door, step in and wait minimum expenditure to ∑ travelex.it
for it to close behind you. accept credit card payment,
The inner door will then so always make sure that you Credit and Debit Cards
open automatically. have enough cash just in case.
Banks are usually open from To avoid your card being For lost or stolen cards:
8:30am–1:30pm Monday to unnecessarily blocked, notify American Express
Friday. Most also open for an your bank of your travel plans Tel 06 7290 0347.
hour in the afternoon. They are before you set off. If your credit MasterCard
closed at weekends and public card is lost or stolen, contact the Tel 800 870 866 (freephone).
holidays, and they also close relevant emergency telephone Visa
early the day before a major number immediately. The card Tel 800 819 014 (freephone).
holiday. One of the main banks will be blocked, and any

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