For a Best of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria trip, just wondering if much cash is needed or most transactions/businesses/restaurants use credit cards? Also do you recommend getting cash at the airport or are the banks open hours that are convenient to withdraw cash with an ATM card? I saw the amount of money recommended by Rick daily that we will spend but any recommendations for cash use would be appreciated. Thanks!
Posted by
Green Bay
23716 posts
Germans love their cash. and many places give a discount with cash (or apply a surcharge on credit card payments).
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
24196 posts
it is mostly personal preference -- no right or wrong. You can get along is most major areas with a credit card except for some street vendors that might demand cash. The best place to get local currency will be a debit card a local bank ATM. And ATMs are everywhere. The ATMs are for the local and not just for tourists.
Now I am kind of old school since I began traveling with Traveler Checks and often prefer cash. I do use a credit card for the hotel and larger restaurant bills but still use cash for smaller purchasers. I like cash simply because it is always accepted and cash cannot be copied or cloned. And I don't have to worry if the credit card machine is working. For us cash is just easier and more convenient to use. We probably always have about 100 or so of local currency available. Works for us. May not work as well for you.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
9783 posts
Welcome gilva5. Here's the way I look at it. If you were traveling anywhere here in the US, would you go with no cash in your pocket? If you're comfortable with that, you can always get some from an ATM over there. Many people are comfortable with no cash and prefer not to deal with it at all. Others dont like to use cards for every minor transaction. It's hard to fix a card problem overseas.
My experience is that when you are traveling, there are always a bunch of minor purchases - water, coffee, candy bar, toothpaste, farmers markets, etc., for which I'd prefer to not get out a card. Especially in smaller towns where not every shop or merchant wants to do small card transactions.
Posted by
Freedonia
19374 posts
Germany is one of the few countries in Europe where I make sure I have cash on me. While most established stores and restaurants take cards, many street vendors prefer cash.
ATM's are everywhere so you need not get a lot of cash. Start with 50-100 Euros and you can always replenish.
Make sure you do the conversion at an ATM in Euros and not Dollars.
Posted by
Denver, CO USA
699 posts
“Here's the way I look at it. If you were traveling anywhere here in the US, would you go with no cash in your pocket?”
Well, I never carry cash in the USA and have not used any in the last 5 years.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9894 posts
Yes, you will need cash in Germany. Use the ATMs from a bank, and this includes the airport. Use the Deutsche Bank ATMs, and not the euronet ones.
Small vendors prefer cash. It costs them extra money to take a CC. I prefer cash too. Why would I use a CC to buy a bottle of water or a sandwich at a fest?
Posted by
Penzance
302 posts
Why would I use a CC to buy a bottle of water or a sandwich at a fest?
Why wouldn’t you?
Posted by
Germany (mostly)
89 posts
As a data point, I have recently needed cash in Germany for the following purchases and fees:
- pedal boat, kayak and canoe hire (and two of these were in locations where the nearest atm was miles away)
- ice cream (cash only in at least five different places, some of which were in decent sized cities)
- restaurants in scenic locations (forests, coast, island etc). At least one of them had no internet access via either WiFi or data - a family was attempting to pay via bank transfer with no success.
- church entry fees (coin donation)
- public toilets (not all, but some)
I can't remember the last time I took bank opening hours into account when withdrawing cash - bank ATMs are usually accessible (well) outside business hours.
In Switzerland in recent years I have needed cash for lockers (at pools and hostels, and at least one station), a random cheese purchase at a market, and ice cream (only once, though). I've also managed cashless, though - it was much easier than in Germany.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
9783 posts
“Here's the way I look at it. If you were traveling anywhere here in the US, would you go with no cash in your pocket?”
Well, I never carry cash in the USA and have not used any in the last 5 years.
Exactly my point. It wasn't a negative comment. Personal preference.
Posted by
San Francisco
16228 posts
Have the cash on you.
You just might be surprised when it is needed. I've seen tourists, Americans among them, caught without cash when needed and certainly not in a very good mood at that moment...too bad.
In Germany , other than paying the hotel bill or buying a train ticket , I use cash over the credit card, given the choice.