Go to www.visa.com , click "atm locator" at the very bottom (footnote area), then click "Airport ATMs Worldwide" on the left.

We just got back from Rome and there also ATM machines all over town. We did not have a problem finding one at all. But for some reason, my husband's card would not work; only mine (Same account, same pin #). My bank has a $500.00 per day withdrawal limit, but I couldn't get any more than 150 Euros per day! Next time, I will travel with a back up!

I just got back from Italy. I definitely recommend going the ATM route for exchanging money. Some caveats - make sure you have a 4 digit pin code (some of the ATMs restrict this), the amount you can withdraw per day is limited (my case it was 250 euros althought the bank had told me that the limit was US $500), and your bank will have an additional charge ($5 in my case). However, the exchange rate that you get (because of the inter bacnk transfer rate) is much better that what you can get from the money changers and even the rate that you get at your own bank for purchasing euros.

ReneB, There is an ATM in the baggage claim area at FCO. Your bank sets the daily withdrawl limit but the Machine you use may have a lower transaction limit. Just let the machine reset and do it again, remember the exchange rate.

The $15 is money well spent and a drop in the bucket considering the entire expense of the trip. What will you do if the airport ATM (bancomat) doesn't work? Is the first thing you want to do upon arriving (after a long flight) is run around looking for money? Take about 75 euros with you so you can get to your hotel, buy a drink, etc. without doing any errands. After that, ATM's are the way to go, taking out a few days supply at a time can "limit your losses" to a few hundred euros should anything unfortunate happen. A few credit card transactions here and there can stretch the cash supply out, if you don't mind using credit of course.

The easiest thing to find at an airport is exchange counter, should the ATM fail. Any airport.

Different people do it differently, but in my view NJTraveler offers sound advice, but myself I might get 150 Euros in advance.

Some US banks have arrangements with banks in foreign countries, so you don't get charged extra by your bank if you use the affiliated foreign bank's ATM machines. In England last year my bank, Bank of America, has an arrangement with Barclays, so I wasn't charged on the ATM transactions.

I always travel with enough foreign currency to get me through the airport and first taxi fares. I just don't want to have to deal with looking for the ATM when I'm that tired from the long flight and have to watch the luggage at the same time. If you have an American Express Gold Card or Platinum card you can get currency through them for a good rate. For me it's worth the convenience not to have to start looking for the machine as soon as I land.

Please read the post I placed today regarding what happened to me at an ATM machine. There is no problem using them if you use one that is in front of a bank that is open.

My post is Beware of this in Rome!!!

AAA also has "travel packs" of foreign currency. You might want to explore how to order some. I checked the web site and it doesn't look like there's fee for members.

TAB