Italy - cash/debit/credit card?

andygb

Going through France and Switzerland to Italy this Summer for a total of two weeks, and previously I would have taken hardly any cash, but following last year's shock with debit card charges, I am tempted to take a fair bit of cash (500 Euros maybe), in oder to maximise exchange rates before I go.
Is this a good idea, or should I now use my Nationwide credit/debit card as the commission/fees seem to change regularly?

dzug1

Unless you hunt around for the best rates (not on the High Street), using your Nationwide cards will cost less than using cash. Yes there are charges - but the exchange rate is the best. With cash the charges very certainly do exist - buried in the exchange rate.

simongregson

You do need a fair bit of cash in italy, you can use cards at a lot of places but it isn't a given that they are accepted.

Best to get it out the hole in the wall. Even with fees you will be lucky to beat the rate at a bureau de change in the UK. The fees on the nationwide debit card are at the lower end compared with some cards.

Your credit card may be the best option to pay if it is possible to pay by card, as many nationwide cards have no fees in europe/worldwide depending on what card you have got. Check the back of your paper statement for details.

s_b

englishman got robbed in Siena last week whilst i was there
madness to take all that cash unless your hotel has a secure safe in the room ,mine didnt
i used debit card at the daily exchange rate with a £1.50 charge per transaction
lets put it this way how many times a day do you need to withdraw cash? you dont do you so where is the reasoning for buying all your foreign cash today at rip off rates in this country by the likes of (insert name of your choice)

dont buy your fuel in Switzerland it was horrendously expensive