Just landed - wondering what gives the better rate in Italy: ATM withdrawal or airport exchange counter?
i checked both. The exchange counter in Rome Fiumicino was a total ripoff. Huge spread on the rate and a service fee. I walked outside to an ATM at the train station and got a much better deal using my debit card. So yes, ATMs win by far but try to find one linked to a proper Italian bank.
Used a Wise card to withdraw from a UniCredit ATM in Florence. The rate was pretty close to market and no extra charges from the Italian side. Meanwhile the airport exchange kiosk was charging 9 percent over the real rate plus a 5 euro fee. No contest. Go ATM every time.Just landed - wondering what gives the better rate in Italy: ATM withdrawal or airport exchange counter?
I made the mistake of exchanging at the airport in Milan. Lost around 30 euros on a 200 euro exchange. Rates were awful and they added a flat fee. Later I used my card at an ATM from Intesa Sanpaolo and got a way better deal. Use an ATM outside the airport if you can wait.
Definitely go with ATM withdrawal. Airport exchange counters usually give terrible rates and charge hidden fees. I compared once in Rome and the airport counter offered 15 percent worse than what I got from my ATM. Just make sure you use a bank ATM and decline conversion if asked.