Currency

Exchange

Banks usually offer the best exchange rate, although you have to pay a modest commission to exchange cash (usually 5,000 Ital. Lira, app. 2.8 US$).

Banks or exchange bureaus will reduce the value of 1-1.5 % if you want to buy Ital. Lira, and then apply also the modest commission above mentioned.

There are banks on almost every corner in Rome. Normal business hours are 8.45am to 1.30pm and 2.45pm to 4.00 Monday to Friday; some of them have longer hours on Thursdays and are also open Saturday mornings.

There are also plenty of private exchanges near the popular monuments or sights, and they are open also in the afternoon. We found the best ones in Piazza Barberini. You will find them before and after the corner with Via Veneto. Pay attention, these exchange offices have often (but not always) less favorable rates.
On Sundays the Thomas Cook offices in Piazza Barberini and in Via della Conciliazione (the way to the Vatican) are open in the morning.


Credit cards

Credit cards are accepted in Rome in selected places, so use them when you can, but don't rely on them to pay normally.