ATMs at Florence Airport

anamenottaken

1 I have no stock of Euros but will be travelling to Italy soon, landing in Florence, and wanted to use an ATM at Florence airport to withdraw cash with my Halifax Clarity card. Are there likely to be any problems with this - eg non-working ATMs, non acceptance of the card, long waits to use the machines?

2 I'm travelling with a few others and a member of the party (a former long-term resident in Italy) says the best advice is to "buy Euro at a UK aiport or go to M&S before leaving home" and not to buy Euros in Italy "as they will charge commission". [Perhaps he thinks M&S and airport BdC don't charge commission (hidden in their rate).] I don't think he is right but will probably have to buy some (but not all) in the UK in order to not upset him or the group.
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zagfles

Never been there but it looks to be quite a small airport - see http://www.aeroporto.firenze.it/en/passengers/food-and-shopping/shopping-landside.html

There's always the possibility of non working ATMs, or your card not working, make sure you tell Halifax your travel plans and always have a backup card or two. I usually take some GBP cash so in an emergency can change it at the airport (yes it'll probably be a bad rate but you'll only need to use it in an emergency - I've never had to). If the ATM isn't working and the bank is open you should be able to get a cash advance over the counter.

Will you even need cash at the airport - what are your onward travel arrangements? Can it be paid by CC, and eg you wait till you get into the city before withdrawing cash?

Don't try to withdraw too much in one go - last time I was in Italy there seemed to be an unofficial withdrawal limit of EUR250, every time I tried to withdraw more it failed saying my bank had refused it, they claimed they hadn't and it was well within the limit. So if you have similar problems stick to withdrawals of EUR250 or under.

anamenottaken

zagfles wrote: »

Never been there but it looks to be quite a small airport - see http://www.aeroporto.firenze.it/en/passengers/food-and-shopping/shopping-landside.html

There's always the possibility of non working ATMs, or your card not working, make sure you tell Halifax your travel plans and always have a backup card or two. I usually take some GBP cash so in an emergency can change it at the airport (yes it'll probably be a bad rate but you'll only need to use it in an emergency - I've never had to). If the ATM isn't working and the bank is open you should be able to get a cash advance over the counter.

Will you even need cash at the airport - what are your onward travel arrangements? Can it be paid by CC, and eg you wait till you get into the city before withdrawing cash?

Thanks for the link. An earlier google search had led me to read that there were ATMs (plural rather than singluar in the text) so I was thinking that at least one would be working unless there are known problems.

I'll certainly have sterling with me - no problem with that. I can also take a few USD left from other travels. I just want to be able to get Euros at the best rate.

As I understand it, cash is required for a bus and for a return rail ticket (total would be about 45 Euro). (I would have thought I could use a card for the rail ticket but part of why I am asking here is because I don't want to upset other people by doing things differently if it takes them longer. (I do hope to be able to travel with cabin luggage only so should be able to locate an ATM and obtain cash without delaying those who have hold luggage to reclaim.)

Perhaps I should just give in and pay more for the sake of group cohesion.

I also wondered if there were any tips from people about using the Italian ATMs. Do they recognise a UK card and offer on-screen messages in English? Do they (like retailers) ask if you want to be charged in sterling?

zagfles

In the last 15 years or so including two trips to Italy I've not come across a foreign ATM which didn't have English instructions. When you put the card in it will give you a choice of languages.

You may well be asked if you want the ATM to convert the currency - make sure you don't take that option!

If you think it will cause problems with the others you could buy EUR50 or so, it should only cost you £2 or so in commission (exchange rate markup) if you avoid places with flat charges, usually advertised as "commission free".

Or ask around friends, family, colleagues etc - you're bound to know someone who's been to Euroland for their summer holiday and may have some Euros left - you can trade at the interbank rate.

Or if (like me) they deliberately withdraw more EUR than they need so they have some for next time, you could borrow it off them and give it back to them when you get back.

anamenottaken

zagfles wrote: »

In the last 15 years or so including two trips to Italy I've not come across a foreign ATM which didn't have English instructions. When you put the card in it will give you a choice of languages. That's good to know. Thank you.

You may well be asked if you want the ATM to convert the currency - make sure you don't take that option! Indeed. I thought it might ask which was why I wanted to be sure I could understand the question - my Italian's not up to much.

If you think it will cause problems with the others you could buy EUR50 or so, it should only cost you £2 or so in commission (exchange rate markup) if you avoid places with flat charges, usually advertised as "commission free". Think that's what I shall have to do as don't what to start off in the awkward squad.

Or ask around friends, family, colleagues etc - you're bound to know someone who's been to Euroland for their summer holiday and may have some Euros left - you can trade at the interbank rate.

Or if (like me - me too but I haven't been to Europe since the introduction of the Euro - travelled further afield instead) they deliberately withdraw more EUR than they need so they have some for next time, you could borrow it off them and give it back to them when you get back. Earlier this week I asked a recently returned friend - who had already returned theirs to the bank as that is what they always do.

Thanks again.

Voyager2002

anamenottaken wrote: »

1 I have no stock of Euros but will be travelling to Italy soon, landing in Florence, and wanted to use an ATM at Florence airport to withdraw cash with my Halifax Clarity card. Are there likely to be any problems with this - eg non-working ATMs, non acceptance of the card, long waits to use the machines?

2 I'm travelling with a few others and a member of the party (a former long-term resident in Italy) says the best advice is to "buy Euro at a UK aiport or go to M&S before leaving home" and not to buy Euros in Italy "as they will charge commission". [Perhaps he thinks M&S and airport BdC don't charge commission (hidden in their rate).] I don't think he is right but will probably have to buy some (but not all) in the UK in order to not upset him or the group.
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Anyone who suggests buying at a UK airport knows nothing, and so her/his advice should be completely disregarded. However, M & S are generally fairly good among a bad bunch.