What is better to take on holidays to Italy cash, travellers cheques or a visa card?

Question

I’m going to Italy from Australia for about two months and don’t know whether I should take cash, travelers cheques or a visa card?? and also what is cheaper my mobile phone (I’m with three mobile), a phone card or maybe buy a sim card when I get there!!!! can some one please advise me Thanks

Answer 1

A debit card that draws from your bank account.
Check with your bank, it should cost little or nothing for withdrawal. If they charge more than 1 Euro (1,50 $) per time, shop around to find a cheaper card.
ATM's are at nearly every corner in the bigger towns, and even the smaller towns have several.
Take a creditcard for the higher bills (Hotel or hostel) and emergencies. But do not use it in the ATM, except emergencies, because they often have a higher fee. (But check the actual fee before travelling.) Keep your credit card in your moneybelt under your clothes, so it is safe and you can not use it easily.

Try to get internet banking from your own bank, so you can move money from your savings into your normal account, so you can keep the risk when loosing your card low.

If you report your debit or credit card as stolen as soon as it is, your money is also insured.

Do not take traveler cheques.
First of all, they cost.
You would need to get them in Euro's which will cost more in exchange rate than the bank will charge you for using an ATM.
And if you have some left at the end of your trip you will pay again to get your money.
And in many places in Europe you will find that the people do not want to change the traveler cheques. And the few places that do take them often charge or have limited opening times, (like bank offices.)

For the phone, check with your provider if it will work in Italy, and what it will cost you per minute.
For phonecalls home it might be reasonable. But for calls within Italy an Italian provider will be cheaper. I think they will also sell 'sim only' pre-paid 'contracts'.
For phoning home a longer time, you might be able to let home phone you on a landline in the house you stay (cheapest, specially if they use the australian call card system that cost about $0,02 a minute) or you can buy a call-card like that, and phone from any phonebooth or landline phone for just local call cost.
I do not remember the name of the company that I used in OZ, but you can buy it at the post office.
I also do not know for sure there is a company like that in Italy, but they do crop up more and more.
You phone a free number or one for local call cost, and enter a pin, and your call is charged to your account, not your phonebill.

Answer 2

Use your Visa card. I travel all the time and swear by this. Just let your card company/bank know you are going out of the country. Another useful tip would be to find out what your daily maximum withdrawl rate is. You will pay a little in fees to withdraw, but its far more convenient then trying to convert cash or checks. Also, at a lot of restaurants and shops you can just pay with your Visa and not have to withdraw cash.
As for the phone, Im from the USA, so I dont know about Three Mobile. But I do reccomend checking with them. See if your phone works there and how much it costs. I took my phone and it was 99 cents per minute to use and 35 cents per text message. We just texted a lot. Easy way to keep in touch without a lot of hassle.
Have fun!

Answer 3

First of all it all depends on where you are at...You cannot cash travelers checks here in Romania, or not any place I have found. Second some banks have restrictions on what countries you can use your card. Check with your bank first because your visa is the best and if stolen they will compensate you as well. A small amount of cash is best because you may shop at open markets and some will not take visa. I would use your visa but carry some cash with you, but check with your bank first.

Answer 4

We took traveler's cheques when we went to Italy because if they were lost or stolen they could be replaced easier. That's one thing you need to worry about is losing or having them stolen. A card would be easier to keep up with in my opinion.

Answer 5

The desire to learn is a good step to making money online. The next step is to look for free resources that will give you the correct information that you'll need to get started. You can check out here http://moneyonline.toptips.org

It gives free training on how to make money online

Answer 6

I would stick to traveller's checks.

Answer 7

all..lol. you will need it. I personally take my visa.. I feel its the safest..t