Etiquette in FlorenceMany restaurants and hotels operate on a cash-only basis, so make sure you always have a few euro bills in your wallet. In small, family-run trattorie, check what types of payments are accepted before sitting down. Look for a handwritten sign, displayed perhaps in the window.
Also, while credit card payment is widely accepted, its best to not to use American Express because most mechants will not want to pay the higher fee. Visa and Mastercard are readily accepted throughout Europe. Even Discover is quite popular but the best bet is to use a debit card associated with Mastercard.
Don't take cash, just use the ATM machines in Florence to get your cash. You can pay with credit card in most shops, restaurants and musea, but have cash for small amounts or smaller shops.
Waiting around for a taxi is a thing of the past as you can simply open the SIXT app on your phone and order your taxi in just a few steps. There's no need to have cash on you to pay for your ride, as the fare will simply be charged to the credit card linked to your account.
In Italy, cash is still preferred in most restaurants, cafes and other establishments, although credit and debit cards are becoming more widely used throughout Italy and are an increasingly convenient way to pay for things. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, although American Express is not.
Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip.
Some tourists feel like they just have to have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.
It's generally a good idea to have a mix of cash and other payment methods like credit/debit cards. For a rough estimate, considering expenses like accommodation, meals, transportation, sightseeing, and shopping, you might budget around 50 to 100 euros per day on average.
You hardly need any cash at all. You can use your credit or debit card wherever there is a PoS (point of sale) machine. Your card needs to be on the Mastercard or VISA international network to function. (Most businesses in Italy refuse Amex and Diners because they charge too much commission.)
For that reason it's good to carry a bit of cash around with you, especially since many smaller establishments outside the main centres do not accept credit cards. When paying for a cappuccino at a bar for example, it's best to pay with smaller change.
Cab drivers in Italy never expect a tip, so if you give one to them, they may be surprised. If you're using a car service like Uber or Free Now (formerly myTaxi), tipping is also not required. But if any driver goes out of his or her way to assist you, it's OK to give a small tip.
My contactless credit card worked very well in Florence last week on the tram/bus. Thanks So just like Rome, you just use it to tap in and that's the payment?
Cash is the most common payment method in Italy. However, debit cards make up a higher percentage of online transactions. Payment preferences tend to vary by generation. Italians ages 65 and older typically use cash while debit cards are most common in the 18-to-24 age group.
Definitely use credit cards as much as possible. You don't need to bring any cash. You might want to get 100 Euro from an ATM at the airport when you arrive in Italy and hit ATMs as needed throughout you trip. Consider getting larger sums to avoid the (roughly) $2 ATM fee everytime you use an ATM.
In my opinion 500 euros is sufficient for 10 days and if you feel you need more, just use your debit card to get some more. Carrying lost of cash is never a good idea and especially in Italy and not all hotels have safes. Make sure your PIN for your card has no more then 4 digits.
Although it's acceptable to haggle with the street vendors, the small, quality boutiques have fixed prices and they do not negotiate. Still, if you know where to shop, the price will be worth it.
Yes, Visa and Mastercard debit cards are widely accepted in Italy, especially in the big cities and tourist areas. You can also use them at Italian ATMs. In some smaller or more rural areas, though, it could be a good idea to have some euros on you - just in case.
Compared to other European countries, Italy relied more on cash than most. Prime minister Giorgia Meloni proposed two measures in December 2022 to increase cash use and curb commission costs paid to banks and digital payment providers.
There are seven 'fontanelle' or super-pure free drinking water fountains in Florence. They are at Parco dell'Albereta, via Aretina , via dell'Agnolo, Le Piagge, Villa Vogel, via delle Panche and Galluzzo. The water is filtered in such a way as to remove any chlorine taste.
It's no secret that Florence can be a very expensive place to live in or to visit. With soaring accommodation prices, tourist traps around every corner, and many costs reflecting the high demand, money can disappear very quickly.
How much money do you need for 3 days in Florence?
For budget-minded travelers, it costs around €55-€90/day to visit Florence. These prices are based on what you'll need to visit the city comfortably as a budget traveler. If you want to upgrade your accommodations, add another €70-€110/night depending on your stay.
Merchants in Italy allow minimum contactless payments of just a couple of euros. Tip: You can also use a debit card with a magnetic strip in Italy. However, your debit card will work in more places if it has a CHIP.
The cost of a trip to Italy for a week will vary depending on your travel style and preferences. A budget traveler can expect to spend around 800-1000 euros, while a mid-range traveler can expect to spend around 1500-2000 euros. Luxury travelers can expect to spend upwards of 3000 euros.
I usually budget myself 50 euro per day, so I think you will be fine. You can eat really cheap if you want, and if your hostel provides dinner and breakfast you'll do fine . It's about 43 euros a day, and I think it can be done, although it's a little skimpy, if it also includes local transportation and entrances.
A meal at an inexpensive restaurant, for one person, is usually around $18 to $20, whereas a meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant, with drinks, will typically cost around $70 to $80.
