Ok - I've read much of what is said about using the ATM card for cash, and I was pretty convinced that this is the way I would go (with some Euro to get me started and my credit card as a backup). I decided not to bring travelers' checks. Then, my sister heard from a friend that he had real problems using the ATM machines (directions were in Italian, etc). SO, my question to slow travelers is -- "Has anyone had a really horrible experience or is it just a matter of getting used to it?"

What's the consensus?

Thanks.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,

I never had a problem, with a 4 digit pin number. I used ATMs in Venice, Florence and Rome. A US bank fee of $3.00 per transaction. The machines all had choices for language. I've used ATMs in England and Spain also, with no problems.

I have never had a problem and also have a 4 digit pin. Once our card did not work in one ATM, but the next one we tried was okay.

We've always used the Italian ATM's, and its really very easy to do. One caution- We once had an Italian ATM "eat" our card on a Friday night, which of course can happen anywhere. We don't use travelers checks anymore, just cash and credit cards. Luckily, we have another ATM account, so we weren't stuck without cash. I think its a good idea to have two, just in case.

I have used ATMs in France, Italy and Netherlands. They always start by asking what language do you want to use. I don't remember ever having one that was only in the country language.

I did have one day where my card did not work. I tried it at several machines. I later found out that provider access was down. It worked fine the next day.

Marta

Just back (today and very jetlagged) from 3 wonderful weeks in Italy. ATM's are the way to go, a few Euro's to start and some cash for back up. We had no problem using the ATM's ($ 250. / day limit). Took some Traveler's Checques in Euros but only used them to pay for our hotel in Rome, just to get rid of them and were charged a 5 Euro fee.

Welcome home Denise! Elizabeth and Chuck, from Austin like you, also get back today. When you have rested up, tell us all about it.

Hi all,

I found the ATM's preferable to accessing the banks themselves in fact the third worse experience that I had in Italy involved the access cubicle into a bank.......ohhhhhhh. Not knowing much of the language I did have a guide to how to put my valuables and things that would set off alarms in the cubbyholes provided then stepped into THE ROOM ..... from that moment on there were people yelling at me and a voice seemingly coming through the roof of the cubicle ...... plus people pounding on the door behind me and yet others doing signs endeavouring to instruct me on how to get in (i.e. out of cubicle and into bank). Finally bank manager comes out of office to see what is causing the commotion and finally releases me from my cell.........phew! I had been going to redeem one travellers cheque but decided to cash the lot to avoid this experience again.

The ATM experience for me was much like what everyone has said here with the language choice appearing first up. You could be in big trouble if you didn't understand that first direction I guess.

Carole

Thanks Pauline! We feel fortunate to be sleeping in our own beds tonight with the Air Traffic Controller's strike. I hope Elizabeth and Chuck had the same good luck. I will tell you all about our trip once I can put a coherent sentence together.