Cashless in UK?

There are a few places that don't take cash at all. Most still do though even if it isn't the preference. If you are asking the question the other way round it is perfectly possible to avoid cash altogether. I have used cash for payment once in the last three years.

There are a few places that don't take cash at all.

These are very few and far between. In the early days of the pandemic it was common to find places refusing cash but now things have returned pretty much to normal. People tend to prefer contactless payment because it's so quick and easy. There are probably more cash only places than cashless but that's usually more to do with tax avoidance. You'll be fine with cash at the vast majority of grocery stores and restaurants.

I guess it varies a bit from place to place as I'd put the figure on cashless some way above cash only here although both of these are in a small minority of high street businesses.

I spent two months in the UK from early November to early January. (I go back on Thursday). The only time I used cash was in taxis because I prefer it. Most of the time I used Google Pay.

But cash is accepted in most places.

Thanks for all the input!

Ditto what the others said. On my recent trip it seemed everybody assumed you’d be paying by card, but I had no problem paying by cash. Stores like Tesco Express and Sainsbury Local are almost card only.

What about at street markets? Do the vendors accept credit cards? Up charge for using them?

What about at street markets? Do the vendors accept credit cards? Up charge for using them?

Street market traders tend to prefer cash or even only accept cash however more and more traders are buying portable contactless readers which are relatively inexpensive and charge a minimal percentage commission. I bought one for my stall, it cost £30 which is far cheaper than the older portable credit card readers, it uses my phone signal via bluetooth which is an improvement on the old readers. I purchased it because more and more customers were asking if I accepted cards and/or did not have any cash on them.

Whilst the readers operate via contactless payment they also allow you to insert your card and enter your pin so if you do intend to use a credit card then ensure that it's contactless and/or chip and pin.

Thanks, JC. Sounds like that’s much the same as in the States.

Jess I don't know where in CA you are, but here in LA we've gone almost completely cashless. It's all press to pay. Everywhere near my office fully expects everyone to pay with a card, that's what we all learned from Covid. My wife paid for something with cash at a bodega the other day and both the owner and I took a beat.

Here is something Rick just posted about travelling again: "The feeling that I've spent two years in limbo is only heightened by the huge leaps I'm seeing in technology, as many innovations engendered by the pandemic have been embraced as simply smarter — part of a new, more efficient status quo. In more and more countries, cash seems to be fading away, and "contactless" payment is becoming the norm. Tickets for museums and trains are going digital. Phone apps are replacing rentable audio guides. In central Paris, I've seen more bikes and electric scooters in the bike lanes than cars in the (remaining) car lanes. All these changes make me feel a little bit befuddled...and a little bit younger, too. It's fun."

I meant at farmer’s markets. At our local, most vendors only accept cash. Those that do take credit card add a surcharge for those purchases. Otherwise I haven’t used cash in years.

How are people from the US using Google Pay in the UK? I tried it several times and it never worked! I started getting cash because no matter what card I used they always had to print a receipt for me to sign which wasted so much time.

I've used Apple Pay since about 2017 and a friend of mine Google Pay, we're both American with American cards attached to the respective phone pay apps.

A contactless credit card will work the same as Google Pay. Receipts only spit out when you insert your card into the machine, contactless avoids that. You'll need to insert the card into the terminal for larger purchase, think it is around £100 or so.

OP take tap card to London.

Last November spent the month in London. Thought my debit card was a tap card. It wasn’t. Had to insert it into a card reader and sign the receipt. PIA.

@phred not sure where in the megalopolis ( LA ) you dwell. Since April 1st I’ve paid cash at Trader Joes for groceries, Tommy’s for a #2 chili cheeseburger meal, Arco for gasoline, breakfast at DuPars at 3rd and Fairfax ( left tip in cash as well) got carrots, avocados, artichokes, artisan cheese at Sunday’s Hollywood Farmer’s and this morning used cash for parking at my dentist’s office.

Thus, I politely disagree LA is becoming cashless.

How are people from the US using Google Pay in the UK?

Does Google Pay work for you at home?

Have you alerted your card issuer that you were going to be in England?

Does the card associated with your Google pay account work on its own In England?

I have used Google Pay all over England in fact all over Europe without any problems

How are people from the US using Google Pay in the UK?

Does Google Pay work for you at home?

Have you alerted your card issuer that you were going to be in
England?

Does the card associated with your Google pay account work on its own
In England?

I have used Google Pay all over England in fact all over Europe
without any problems

Yes Google Pays works in the States on my phone. Yes Citibank knew I was there and the card works in UK, Germany, France (the only places I've been). I tried it on the Tube, several stores, and a few pubs, neither Google Pay or the contactless worked. I was so bummed!

I just got back from the UK. Used cash only once in London at a tiny noodle restaurant that only took cash. Used Apple Pay on my Apple Watch EVERYWHERE else. Tap and pay is taken everywhere.