Hello, in May I traveled to Britain and had a hard time using up cash. Everything was credit card - even very small purchases. My daughter and I are traveling to Venice, Rome, Florence, Spain and Portugal. Does anyone know the situation in those countries? Is it still cash or is card becoming more important? Thank you.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
It's never been cash only, it depends on the bill you are paying and on the store.
No Italian merchant likes when customers pay less than € 10 by credit card, with the exception of brand stores, hotels and supermarkets.
Some indipendent small shops will accept, many more will try to find an excuse. Taxi drivers are notorious for always having a broken device. If you want to avoid any problem, make clear you have no cash before getting on the car.
In their defence the credit card fees are high, I have no problem when I pay by an indipendent "zero fees" app not linked to any credit card network.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks Dario, so it sounds like cash is still a good way to go.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8559 posts
I would say you will find a push to use card for most transactions. In Rome and Sicily last fall, we used card nearly everywhere, even being urged to tap rather than insert. We certainly had some cash, and did use it for small purchases, but I do not recall anyone pushing for cash only.
For perspective, I will be in Spain most of September, I have 85 euro on hand, and I really do not anticipate needing to hit an ATM, except to have maybe 50-100 euro to come home with for the next trip. I do think that contactless (CC Tap or Google/Apple Pay) is more accepted than inserting a card, plus it eases the transaction.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7669 posts
I had no problem using cash in the UK earlier this year. Actually, it was just as easy as a CC. I was in Spain in May and June and could have use CC most of the time, but had plenty of cash to use up. Both spent equally well. I only came across 3 restaurants that were cash only.