2 senior couples attending a variety of Christmas Markets this December. Need information on best way to pay the various booths (food, beverage and ornaments etc). Should be plan on using cash (Euros or US) or credit cards or it doesn't matter because most accept both.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
10087 posts
My daughter & I went to the Christmas Markets in Austria, Germany & France last year. Our experience was that most gift type purchases were fine with a credit card/ApplePay. Food purchases were a combo of either cash/credit card or only cash (Euros). I’m going to Germany this year & plan on having more cash on hand since I will probably buy more small items like ornaments.
Posted by
Seattle, WA & Bordeaux, France
765 posts
In Germany and France almost every vendor at the Christmas markets we visited took credit cards or Euros. However, at the Basel Switzerland Christmas market, the stands only accepted swiss franc cash. Thankfully there were lots of ATMs close by the market.
Posted by
San Diego, California
7321 posts
No one in Europe wants USD. Have a magical time. Enjoy!
Posted by
NYC area
3165 posts
Hi,
We use cash (Euro’s) when we visit the Christmas Markets in Austria and Germany. Many did take Credit Cards, but we use cash.
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1689 posts
A variety of Christmas Markets" Then the safe bet is Bar/cash. If you are fortunate enough to visit a small market for a day or weekend in snow. It will be Bar.
Posted by
California
229 posts
We go to the Christmas Markets every year. We have been to them in Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, Hungary, and Poland. You need more cash than you would expect. Almost all food stands want cash. Many stands will take credit cards for anything over 10 euro. But I have had vendors point me to where there is an ATM when I haven’t had enough cash. One market we were low on cash and ended up asking the vendors if they took CC before looking at their merchandise. Not the way you want to experience a Christmas Market. Remember cash is King! Switzerland is the hardest because they don’t use euros. And as someone pointed out, no one wants your US dollars at an European Christmas Market.