Travel Money In

Travel Money in Italy

What is the official currency in Italy?

The currency of Italy is the Euro (EUR). One EUR is equal to 0.83 GBP (as of 21 February 2022 GMT). So, in Italy, you’ll see the symbol € to denote prices. Note: you can check the European Central Bank website for the EUR’s latest value against GBP.

Each Euro comprises 100 cents. Cents are available in eight different coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents. Meanwhile, Euro banknotes come in seven denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 Euros. Plus, you’ll find 1 and 2 Euro coins.

Do I tip in Italy?

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In Italy, tipping is not expected. But the gesture is commonly accepted and appreciated – notably if you wish to acknowledge exceptional service. On most occasions, a ‘round-up’ to the nearest Euro will suffice.

If you eat out at a restaurant, tipping is common. So, simply leave a few euros (up to 10% of the bill) in coins on the table when you’re leaving. Or personally leave the money with the wait staff. Be aware of bills that include charges such as ‘Coperto’ (cover charge). A small fee, ranging from 1 to 5 euros, it doesn’t go to the waiter or waitress. It covers the space for your chair and table used during service, as well as the cutlery, glassware, and tablecloth. On the flipside, ‘Servizio’ is a service charge – meaning you don’t need to tip if this is include on the bill already.

If you opt for taxi drives to take you around town, tipping drivers isn’t necessary, but feel free to let them keep the change for your fares. And whatever your choice of hotel, you can tip porters 1-2 euros per bag – plus, a little more for extra services. As for hotel housekeepers, keep aside 1 euro per night for longer stays; leaving the change with the person at the end of your stay.

Note: if you’re not satisfied with the serve, don’t feel obligated to leave a tip! Anything beyond the service you’ve already been charged for, is a welcome sign of appreciation – but only if or where you feel it’s deserved.

Using cash in Italy

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When travelling, our experts recommend for you to take a small amount of cash with you on every trip. This will come in handy for everything from initial taxi transfers and purchases at small markets, to hotel deposits etc.

How to use the Caxton pre-paid travel card?

You can transfer the rest of your holiday spending money to a Caxton pre-paid travel money card – for safe and secure spending.

Cash is no longer king in Italy (even more so after COVID-19,) and almost all establishments accept credit/debit cards.

Most international banks and money outlets charge a fee for you to use their ATM machines. But you can overcome such unnecessary fees (which ultimately add up) with a Caxton pre-paid travel money card , which you can open and access via our website or mobile app. Before travelling, simply log into either platform to top up your Caxton card and lock in favourable exchange rates. And on arrival to Italy, enjoy fee-free spending in shops and restaurants. Plus, remember you won’t incur any fees for international ATM withdrawals when you use the Caxton cad, regardless of the number of times you use the card.

We recommend for you to still bring your bank card on your trip, as a backup option. If you do, remember to inform your bank about your travel plans prior to departure – so, transactions aren’t identified as fraudulent. But be prepared to pay fees and high exchange rates, as is the norm with high-street banks.

The price of food and drink in Italy

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As a rough guideline, below is a list of the average costs of spending in a day in Italy.

• Domestic beer = €5.13
• One-way ticket on local bus = €1.20
• Inexpensive restaurant meal = €15 per person
• Bottle of mid-range wine = €5
• Bottle of water (0.33 litres) = €1.05

What happens if my wallet is lost, stolen, or damaged in Italy?

Italy is considered a safe country with friendly and helpful people. But this shouldn’t stop you from being smart and prepared while you travel. If the majority of your cash is on your Caxton pre-paid travel money card, this will be automatically protected. But in the worst case scenario, here are the list of major debit/credit cards’ phonelines for you to call from outside the UK:

• HSBC Bank UK: +44 1442 422 929;
• NatWest: +44 1268 500 813;
• Lloyds: +44 1702 278 270;
• Barclays: +44 2476 842 099;
• Santander: +44 1908 216674.

The cost of tourist attractions in Italy

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Italy is home to the some of the most fascinating history, fine arts and culture, mesmerising architecture, magnificent food, and stunning scenery among the nation’s tourist attractions – some of which are as follows:

• Colosseum, Rome: you can visit the Italian capital’s historical landmark, the oval-shaped Colosseum, via an individual adult ticket for €12;

• The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Rome: staying with Rome, the eight-storey, 60-metre-tall tower awaits to greet – simply purchase an Adult ticket for €30;

• Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral), Milan: you can explore the iconic cathedral with an adult ticket from as little as €5 (€2 discounted).

What can I do with spare currency in Italy?

While in Italy, feel free to spend any remaining small amount of Euros on some traditional Italian souvenirs, such as:

• Italian pasta;
• Olive oil;
• Espresso cups;
• Italian cured meats.

History of the Euro

The Euro came into existence on 1 January 1999, though it had been a goal of the European Union (EU) since the 1960s. Notes and coins didn’t come into circulation until 2002.

Today, the Euro is the sole currency of 19 EU Member States, with the original dozen being joined by: Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia, and Slovenia. These countries constitute the "Eurozone". The rise of the Euro in its short lifespan is remarkable; with it now being the second largest reserve currency, as well as the second most-traded currency in the world after the United States’ dollar.

Get your Holiday Money Delivered

Beat the queues with the Caxton Cash Delivery service. With next day cash delivery to your home and 58 different currencies, it couldn’t be easier to get your holiday money sorted. Simply Login to your Caxton account and select ‘Cash Delivery’ to get started.

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Planning an Italian travel itinerary soon? Log into your Caxton account to top up, or learn more about how and why a pre-paid travel money Caxton card is your smarter, cheaper way to spend money when abroad.