Getting by with no cash (Euros) in Austria

You can get by nearly 100 % of the time with credit cards. And it gets easier every year. BUT I always have few Euro in pocket just in case the credit card system is down. and sometimes easier to use cash. I am just more comfortable with a few Euro in pocket.

Thank you Frank for the reply. We will be arriving by train - do you recommend just use the ATM at the train station? Again, thank you!

My biggest concern would be having some coins for restrooms. I would just stop at an atm and withdraw €40. Buy a coffee or pastry and get some change. I guarantee you’ll spend €40 in 4 days. If you still have cash on the last day, buy a snack for the train.

good point!! @ travel4fun! Thank you:)

My biggest concern would be having some coins for restrooms.

Even some restrooms accept credit cards already.

you can certainly manage quite happily in Switzerland cash free. I always do.

I live in Vienna. The only place I use cash is when I do my farmer's market shopping on Saturdays, but several vendors also now take cards. Otherwise, I pretty much live cash free here (and I know where the free bathrooms are). If a restaurant has a cash only policy, then it will be displayed in an obvious place - or just ask. I think that all shops, museums, etc. now take a credit card.

I hope that helps.

Thanks to all responders! This forum is the best! Shout out to @Emily and @ Nigel- always super helpful!
Have a blessed day!

Even some restrooms accept credit cards already.

Except for the one you are standing in front of and need RIGHT NOW!

Carry 20 euro a person in cash of which 5 euro is one 2 euro coin and three 1 euro coins (buy a bottle of water to make chsnge).

Absolutely no reason not to. It's not like it's worth less than your credit card and if you do need it. You got it.

April 2025 was in Europe for 5 weeks, I am not a credit card person. Had five currencies. I was in France, the bus system in the area I was in took no credit cards, cash only, young woman got on the bus, credit card only, no cash and was in the process of being turned away by the bus driver. Of course I put up the two euros for the bus but you need some euros, at some point, at some time. And actually in the scheme of things if you're spending $1,000 on a trip what's 40 bucks in euros even if you never ever spend them.

I am wary of ATMs other than in banks. I always have Bar/cash. Enough for a dinner for two. You might be bringing some home.

I am wary of ATMs other than in banks.

In Austria there is a common network of ATMs operated jointly by all banks, designated by a green-blue logo. No need to worry.

Private ATMs, e.g., Eur-Cash, may charge extra fees.

I also always go inside the bank lobby to withdraw cash, just for peace of mind. Always use an ATM with the blue/green logo and with an association with a bank.

I also always go inside the bank lobby to withdraw cash, ...

Note that you can do this even outside the bank's office hours by opening the doors using your credit card (no charge involved).

A cup of coffee at any McDonald's (and pretty much any bar or café) gets you access to their restrooms. So this rationale for carrying cash, at least in urban locales, becomes a bit less compelling.

Not surprising at all that bus system took no credit cards, I would have been surprised if it did.

I always paid with cash going from Vienna by bus to Schloss Laxenburg.

Not surprising at all that bus system took no credit cards, ...

Only in regional busses, i.e., those leaving Vienna, you can still buy a ticket from the driver. Within Vienna you are expected to have a ticket already when boarding public transport. (In trams there are ticket vending machines as a a last resort, selling only the expensive single ride tickets.)

Having the proper apps on your mobile phone you can buy any ticket without the need of cash.

I would never consider travelling in Europe without at least a small amount of cash. Even though many (most) businesses now accept electronic payment, there are still many that don't. I recall a particular trip arriving in Salzburg at the train station, I think from Italy. Throughout the course of the day, I had spent most of my cash. I had tried to get a cash advance during the day and been unable to. I don't recall why, but when I got to Salzburg I had about 2 euros remaining. Not enough to get the bus to where I was staying. Not enough to buy anything to eat. I had to find a cash friendly ATM. Eventually I ended up finding one. I was graciously declined by AMEX. To protect me from myself, they locked my card. Phone calls, panic, nowhere close to my hotel. What a mess. A few extra Euros in my pocket could have avoided the entire hassle. As I type, I know that I have at least 20 Eu. in my travel bag. I won't ever make that mistake again over what amounts to a few dollars.
It dawns on me that I made the same mistake once in Taipei. I recall wandering around looking at the night markets and many shrines, hungry, while searching for an ATM that would advance cash to my foreign bank card. I think I ended up eating at one of those sushi places that served the food on a conveyor belt...they took credit cards. I had passed on getting cash at the airport because I was sure I could get a better exchange rate... even in Switzerland.
Always a bit of cash.....always.

Pretty unpleasant experiences in Tapei and Italy, the type one wants to avoid. I never travel in Europe without local cash (in may case GBP and Euro) on me. I've seen too many examples of tourists , obviously Americans included, in Europe presenting a cc to pay, only to be told to go the ATM to get cash.

I don't have this aversion, let alone excessive concern , regarding having cash on me. The bad guys may have their sights set on me as the conspicuous tourist, but then so what?

I had to find a cash friendly ATM. Eventually I ended up finding one. I was graciously declined by AMEX.

All ATMs are cash friendly, that is their job. :-)

AMEX is the rarest credit card in Europe, but for all types of credit card you need to check, whether:
(1) geo-blocking is off, i.e., the card may be used in the countries you want to travet to,
(2) you have your 4-digit PIN,
(3) cash advance service at ATMs is supported,
(4) you are familiar with two-factor authorization, in case it is required,
(5) you have the service line phone numbers of your credit card company and/or bank stored in your mobile phone.

I'm leaving Vienna today after a 1o day stay. This is my fourth visit in as many years.

I have yet to use anything but my phone to pay for everything.

That being said, I do have some Euros in my wallet just in case.

But, I was in Prague for a week and got no Kronu. I'm heading up to Poland today and like last year, plan to get no Zloty.

While every country is different, Cash seems to be phasing out.

Carry a little cash for the "just in case" situations that may happen. A far stretch, but the power outage in Spain and Portugal last month shut down ATMs and credit card readers for a couple of days.