Nobody plans a trip to Rome hoping to spend it doing currency maths in a queue. A little setup before you leave saves you from the most common money annoyances: surprise fees, an awkward bill, and a card that does not work when you need it. This guide covers cards, cash, tipping and the small charges that tend to surprise visitors from the US.
A quick honesty note. Fees depend on your own bank and card, so we cannot give you one number that fits everyone. Where we can point to official sources we do, and where it depends on your bank we say so, so you know exactly what to check.
The Basics
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9.2 ExcellentItaly uses the euro. Before you fly, find out three things from your own card issuer: whether your card charges a foreign transaction fee, what it charges for ATM withdrawals abroad, and whether it needs a travel notice. Those fees vary by bank and card, and a five-minute call or a look at your card's terms in the app beats finding out on your statement.
The One Choice That Matters: Euros or Dollars?
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Sooner or later a card terminal or an ATM will ask whether you want to pay in euros or in dollars. It sounds helpful. It usually is not. If you choose dollars, the conversion is done by the terminal's provider at a rate it sets. If you choose euros, your own card issuer does the conversion, and you can look up its fees in advance.
So the simple rule: when asked, choose euros. If you want to be thorough, compare what you were quoted against your bank's own rate in the app afterwards. The fees on your own card are the ones you can actually check.
Cash: How Much Do You Need?
Less than you think, and more than zero. Keep a small amount of euros for the moments cards are awkward, such as small purchases and anywhere that is simply old-school. We have not found an official source that says exactly where card payments are or are not accepted in Rome, so do not rely on a rule of thumb: carry a card and a little cash, and ask before you order.
Two practical tips. Withdraw larger amounts less often rather than small amounts many times, if your bank charges per withdrawal. And do not carry everything in one place: split cash and cards between bags and pockets. Rome has its share of pickpockets, especially around the Trevi Fountain, on crowded buses and near Termini, as we mention in our trip planning guide.
If you are travelling with a very large amount of cash, note that the US State Department lists a limit of 10,000 euros, or the equivalent, in currency on entry and exit. Check the customs rules before you pack it.
Tipping: You Can Relax
Tipping in Italy is not expected the way it is in the US. A US-style 20 percent is not the norm. If a meal was lovely and you want to round up the bill or leave a few coins, that is a kind gesture rather than an obligation. Leaving nothing extra is not rude.
The bit that does catch Americans off guard is a charge already on the bill. Look at the menu for a line called coperto (a per-person table charge) or servizio (a service charge). If it is shown on the menu, it is a normal charge rather than a trick. If you spot a charge that was not on the menu, it is perfectly polite to ask about it. For more on avoiding overpriced meals, see our guide to finding a great tasting menu in Rome.
Charges That Surprise Visitors
| What | What to know |
|---|---|
| Euros vs dollars at the terminal | Choose euros. Your card issuer then does the conversion at fees you can check. |
| Your bank’s fees | Foreign transaction and ATM fees depend on your card. Check before you fly. |
| Coperto or servizio | A per-person table charge or service charge. If it is on the menu, it belongs on the bill. |
| Tourist tax | Rome charges a small tax per person per night, usually paid at your accommodation. Ask your host what to expect. |
| Trevi Fountain basin ticket | A €2 ticket for the basin area, 9:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. (Mondays from 11:30 a.m.). |
| Large cash | 10,000 euros, or the equivalent, is the limit the State Department lists on entry and exit. |
A Simple Money Setup for Rome
Call or check your card issuer about foreign transaction fees and ATM fees.
Bring at least two cards, from different banks if you can, in case one is blocked or lost.
Take a small amount of euros for the first day. Keep it separate from your cards.
Always choose to pay in euros when the terminal asks.
Check the menu for coperto or servizio before you order.
Keep your phone and wallet in front pockets or a zipped bag in crowded spots.
Keep Planning
Rome Travel Requirements for US Citizens — passport, the 90-day rule, EES and ETIAS.
Rome Travel Insurance for Americans — what Medicare and your health plan miss.
How to Plan a Trip to Rome — the step-by-step booking order.
The Complete Rome Guide — every Rome article in one place.
References
U.S. Department of State. Italy: international travel country information.