Rome - Post Report Question and Answers
Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes, but some places still take cash. Most will take credit card though. ATMs are fine from bigger banks. - Aug 2024
Credit cards work just fine. Only issue I have had is the occasional taxi that wants cash only.... but that is also a problem in the US. - Sep 2022
Cash-based society. Stores don't want to pay CC fees or do the accounting associated with it. And, cash is just... easier... for many reasons... Only some shops will accept cards, but usually with a stink especially if your transaction is under 100 Euro. Sometimes the credit card machine will be "broken." Shops often ask for exact change, then give you attitude if you don't have it. - Oct 2014
Cash still rules. ATMs are plentiful but generally have high fees associated with them. Credit cards are widely accepted for purchases larger than €10 (low-cost purchases are often impossible without cash), but smaller stores often don't accept them at all. - May 2013
There have been reports of some restaurants skimming credit cards, so make sure they swipe any credit cards in front of you at the table. Check around yourself before you use the ATM and you should be fine. Yes, the ATM itself will still rob you with transaction fees. - Apr 2012
Be cautious. We prefer cash and many places outside the main tourist areas just don't take credit cards. - Aug 2010
Be careful and only use ATMs attached to a bank, if possible. - Apr 2009
As with all other major cities, be careful which ATM machines you use and when. ATM's (they call them 'Bancomats' here) are available every few blocks. It's best to use those attached to banks. Aside from that, it is 2008 and there are still a lot of places that will not accept your charge cards. Get used to carrying cash! Also, your bank will ring you every time you take cash out, and may not give you the best exchange rate. Then again, they might. Check with them ahead of time. Or do what we did, experiment! It turns out are bank doesn't hit us too terribly hard, compared to some of the credit cards. Just the same, cash is king here. - Feb 2008
Gazillions of ATMs. We use credit cards all the time. No worries. - Feb 2008
