Trying to figure out if buses and metros in Italy take cards or if Ill need small cash. Any recent experiences?
In Naples, the metro does not accept international cards at the gates. You need to buy tickets at machines, which mostly take local cards or cash. I tried using my Wise card but it failed twice. The machines at the Garibaldi station were cash-only when I went. Definitely keep some small cash handy especially if you're heading outside of big cities.
Florence was a bit more old school when I went. Metro doesn’t exist there and buses didn’t take international cards. I had to buy tickets from a newsstand near the station. They only accepted cash. Best to have coins or a 5 or 10 euro note on you. Tried to tap my card on the bus but it didn’t register anything.Trying to figure out if buses and metros in Italy take cards or if Ill need small cash. Any recent experiences?
I was in Milan last month and it was super smooth. The metro lets you tap your Visa or Mastercard at the turnstile just like in London. I used my Revolut card with no issues. Trams and buses also have card readers inside now, but some still only work with local transport cards or tickets. I’d say bring a small amount of cash, maybe 10 to 15 euros, just in case.
In Rome, the metro accepts contactless cards directly at the gates. I used my US Visa card and it worked fine. Buses are a bit different. Some have machines where you can tap a card, but many still expect a paper ticket bought beforehand from a tabacchi or vending machine. I’d carry a few euros in coins or small bills just in case.