The 5 Best Places to Exchange Money in Rome

Rome Travel Guide / November 08, 2016
The 5 Best Places to Exchange Money in Rome Image credit: gumbao

Just like Spain, Italy is known to have poor currency exchange rates, compared with those offered in other European countries such as France and the UK. So visitors are highly recommended to buy Euro in Paris or London if possible.

In case you need to get your Euro notes in Rome, the best option is to withdraw them at ATM machines, known as Bancomat in Italian. This will give you more Euro, even after adding your home bank transaction fees, compared with exchanging currency at Rome’s money changers and banks.

We can say so because most Italian banks only provide money exchange service to customers who have accounts with them. “Most” is not equivalent to “all”, so people still can buy Euro at banks that go off the usual path. But the problem lies in their poor rates and commission fees. After the transaction, the Euro you get from them is lesser than the amount you get from Bancomats.

Things happen the same way when you engage service of a money changer.

But if you need to convert currency at money changers for some reasons, find them near Roma Termini station and Vatican, or at popular tourist places like Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and Piazza di Spagna. A forex booth will have a sign with the word “Exchange”, “Change”, “Cambio” or “Wechsel”.

You should always ask for the final amount that you will receive before giving them your money. Because rates posted at the shops may not include commission fees. You can also try to negotiate for a better rate.

Be cautious when someone approaches you on the street and offer unbelievably good rates! Just says no, thanks. You can be scammed or get arrested for engaging a black market transaction.

Visitors are advised not to bring traveler’s cheques to Rome because they are very rarely accepted in Italy. The majority of Italian banks and money changers do not buy this type of cheques.

Find the best places to exchange money in Rome below. These places are well-known tourist areas that are easily accessible from each other. The listed money changers are those that provide reasonable rates and reliable service.

1. Money Changers near Roma Termini

Money Changers near Roma Termini Image credit: mathess

Roma Termini is a main station in Rome that has train services to many cities in Italy and other European countries. Therefore, there is a sea of people (many of them are visitors) in the area.

We can expect to find an array of money changers right inside Termini station and in its immediate surroundings as a result. Most of them are open daily and easily accessible from the station.

Best rates for
– USD
– CAD
– GBP
– CHF
– DKK
– NOK
– JPY
– AUD

Recommended money changers
1. Casa del Turista

– This is in front of the Dogali Obelisk and just a short walk from Termini station and Piazza della Repubblica
– Address: Via delle Terme di Diocleziano 32A, 00185 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 06 4744955
– Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 20:00

2. Cambio Termini
– Its location is right beside Hotel Marsala and less than 5 minutes on foot from Termini station
– Address: Via Marsala, 36, 00185 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 06 678 3101
– Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 20:00

3. Ria – Macao branch
– Founded in 1987 in New York as a money transfer service company, Ria operates in 150 countries
– Services: Currency exchange and money transfer
– Address: Via del Macao, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 06 4891 3723
– Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 – 19:30; Saturday 11:30 – 19:30; Sunday 11:30 – 16:30

4. Forexchange – Termini Forum branch
– Providing currency exchange and money transfer services since 1990
– Address: Termini Forum (Mezzanine Level), Rome Termini Station, Piazza dei Cinquecento, 1, 00185 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 800 305357
– Opening hours: Daily 07:30 – 22:00
Online rates

5. Forexchange – Via Solferino branch
– This is near Independence Square, less than 5 minutes on foot from Termini station
– Services: Currency exchange and money transfer
– Address: Via Solferino, 12, 00184 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 800 305357
– Opening hours: Daily 08:30 – 20:00

How to get there
– By metro: Nearest metro stations are Termini and Repubblica – Teatro Opera
– By bus: Nearest bus stops are Termini, Repubblica, and Volturno

2. Money Changers near Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II

Money Changers near Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II Image credit: roseov

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is the largest piazza in Rome. Giardini Nicola Calipari is at the center of the square where you can also find the Trophy of Marius, Porta Magica, and Fritto Misto Fountain.

The square and its nearby streets are home to a number of money changers, which open their doors for trading from 6 to 7 days a week.

Best rates for
– USD
– GBP
– AUD
– CHF
– JPY
– PHP
– CNY
– IDR

Recommended money changers
1. Forexchange – Rome Santa Maria Maggiore branch

– Providing currency exchange and money transfer services since 1990
– This is about 5 minutes away from the piazza
– Address: Via dell’Esquilino, 41, 00185 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 800 305357
– Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 08:30 – 20:00
Online rates

2. Orbit Money Exchange
– This is a 2 minute walk from Piazza Vittorio
– Address: Via Principe Amedeo, 277, 00185 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 06 495 9714
– Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 21:00

3. National Exchange Company – Ferruccio branch
– A global business that has been providing currency exchange and money transfer services for more than 10 years in 90 countries.
– This is less than 5 minutes away from the piazza
– Address: Via Ferruccio, 30, 00185 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 06 8745 1989
– Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 19:00

4. National Exchange Company – Principe Amedeo branch
– This is less than 3 minutes away from the Northeast side of the piazza
– Address: Via Principe Amedeo, 271, 00185 Rome, Italy
– Phone: + 39 06 4434 1221
– Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 21:00

5. Road to China
– Real estate agency offering currency exchange service
– This is near Eusebio Church across the piazza
– Address: Via Napoleone III, 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 06 8745 1671
– Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 19:00

How to get there
– By metro: Nearest metro station is Vittorio Emanuele
– By bus: Nearest bus stop is Piazza Vittorio Emanuele

3. Money Changers near Piazza di Spagna

Money Changers near Piazza di Spagna Image credit: Interchange

The Piazza di Spagna square is easily identifiable through the ship-shaped Fontana della Barcaccia at the center and the iconic Spanish Steps that connect the square to the Church of Trinità dei Monti.

Money changers can be found right at the piazza and its surrounding areas. Those forex shops are open daily and within walking distance from Spagna metro station.

Best rates for
– USD
– GBP
– JPY
– CHF
– AUD
– CAD
– BRL

Recommended money changers
1. Interchange – Piazza di Spagna branch

– A global business with more than 25 years in service and operating in 14 countries
– This is right in front of Fontana della Barcaccia and the Spanish Steps
– Services: Currency exchange and money transfer
– Address: Piazza di Spagna, 80, 00187 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 06 679 2803
– Opening hours: Daily 08:30 – 21:00

2. Rome Exchange
– You just need to walk a couple of minutes from Piazza Barberini and Piazza di Spagna to the shop
– It is located in front of IL MESSAGERO, beside SEPHORA
– Address: Via del Tritone, 78, 00187 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 6 6794009
– Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 17:00
Daily rates

3. Forexchange – Veneto branch
– Providing currency exchange and money transfer services since 1990
– This is near to Porta Pinciana and within walking distance from Piazza di Spagna
– Address: Via Veneto, 108, 00187 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 06 4201 3631, +39 800 305357
– Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:30 – 17:30
Online rates

4. World Change
– This forex shop is near to Teatro due Roma and a 5 minute walk from Piazza di Spagna
– Address: Via Dei Due Macelli, 27, 00187 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 06 6783695
– Opening hours: Daily 10:00 – 20:00

5. Best and Fast Change
– Florence-based company founded in 1999
– This is near to the Column of the Immaculate Conception and about a minute away from the Spanish Steps
– Accepts traveler’s cheques
– Address: Piazza di Spagna, 54, 00187 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 06 69921185
– Opening hours: Daily 08:30 – 22:00

How to get there
– By metro: Nearest metro station is Spagna
– By bus: Nearest bus stop is Trinita’ Dei Monti

4. Money Changers near Trevi Fountain & Pantheon Temple

Money Changers near Trevi Fountain & Pantheon Temple Image credit: chrisdorney

The one-kilometer walking route from Trevi Fountain to Pantheon Temple is one of the most popular pathways for walking tours in Rome.

On any given day, the streets between and around the two landmarks are teeming with tourists. Naturally, this area abounds with tourism-related businesses like hotels, restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and currency exchange offices.

The narrow pathways from Trevi Fountain to Pantheon Temple house most of the money changers in the area. A few can be found right at the piazza in front of the temple. Many of them are open 7 day a week.

Best rates for
– CAD
– JPY
– GBP
– SEK
– DKK
– NOK
– HKD
– RUB

Recommended money changers
1. Ria – Rotonda branch

– Founded in 1987 in New York as a money transfer service company, Ria operates in 150 countries
– This branch just 1 minute away from the Pantheon
– Services: Currency exchange and money transfer
– Address: Piazza della Rotonda, 66, 00186 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 06 678 9016
– Opening hours: Daily 09:30 – 21:00

2. Forexchange – Trevi branch
– Providing currency exchange and money transfer services since 1990
– This is a 1 minute walk from Trevi Fountain
– Address: Via del Lavatore, 88, 00187 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 800 305 357
– Opening hours: Daily 08:00 – 20:30
Online rates

3. Exchange Tosi Danilo
– Only 2 minutes on foot from Trevi Fountain
– Address: Via del Lavatore, 97, 00187 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 06 699 1627
– Opening hours: Daily 08:00 – 20:00

4. Forexchange – Pantheon branch
– This branch is only 1 minute away from the Pantheon
– Address: Piazza della Rotonda, 68 B, 00187 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 800 305 357
– Opening hours: Daily 08:00 – 21:00

5. Forexchange – Caravita branch
– This branch is right beside Oratorio del Caravita
– Address: Via del Caravita, 6, 00186 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 800 305 357
– Opening hours: Daily 08:00 – 20:30

How to get there
– By metro: Nearest metro station is Barberini
– By bus: Nearest bus stops are Traforo – Tritone, Corso – Minghetti, and Santa Chiara

5. Money Changers near Vatican

Money Changers near Vatican

There are no money changers inside Vatican City State but you can find a few just outside its walls. Most of these services are open daily.

Best rates for
– USD
– GBP
– JPY
– CHF
– AUD
– HKD
– ILS
– CLP

Recommended money changers
1. Interchange – Porta Angelica branch

– A global business with more than 25 years in service and operating in 14 countries
– This is right outside the Vatican wall, 2 minutes on foot from Piazza del Risorgimento attraction
– Address: Via di Porta Angelica, 39, 00193 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 06 686 1468
– Opening hours: Daily 08:00 – 20:30

2. Forexchange – Conciliazione branch
– Providing currency exchange and money transfer services since 1990
– You can see St. Peter’s Basilica from this branch location
– This is a 2 minute walk from Piazza Pio and a 4 minute walk from the Vatican entrance
– Services: Currency exchange and money transfer
– Address: Via della Conciliazione, 43, 00193 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 800 305 357
– Opening hours: Daily 08:00 – 20:00
Online rates

3. Top Money Change
– This is just 2 minutes away from the Vatican entrance
– Address: 1, Via Delle Fornaci, 00165 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 06 6371333
– Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 20:00

4. Forexchange – Risorgimento branch
– This branch is located 100m away from Piazza del Risorgimento
– Services: Currency exchange and money transfer
– Address: Piazza del Risorgimento, 12, 00192 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 800 305 357
– Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 08:00 – 20:30

5. Forexchange – Ottaviano branch
– This branch is 3 minutes away on foot from Piazza del Risorgimento
– Services: Currency exchange and money transfer
– Address: Via Ottaviano, 27, 00192 Rome, Italy
– Phone: +39 800 305 357
– Opening hours: Daily 08:00 – 20:30

How to get there
– By metro: Nearest metro station is Ottaviano
– By light rail: Nearest light rail station is Risorgimento – San Pietro
– By bus: Nearest bus stops are Risorgimento – Porta Angelica, Bastioni Di Michelangelo, and Largo Di Porta Cavalleggeri – Fornaci
– By train: Nearest train station is Roma S. Pietro

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