Cash vs credit card in covid times

Posted by BethFL on 07/07/21 03:11 PM

We are going to Italy next month and was wondering, for planning purposes, how the pandemic has affected cash sales. In my experience, Europe has been a more cash based economy, especially smaller, cheaper restaurants. Is this still true? We also are going to Lake Como and plan to use the ferry. Rick Steves’ books, which are written pre covid, also say that the ferries require cash.

I am sensitive to this because we were almost stuck in a small town in the Cotswolds that we had hiked to in 2019. We never expected taxis there to require cash and there was no ATM! Fortunately, the owner of the Bnb was kind enough to drive us to the next town where we caught our train.

Posted by Roberto da Firenze ⚜

San Francisco Bay Area (USA)

07/07/21 05:56 PM

15225 posts

I don’t think the pandemic has affected much in terms of payment modalities.
Both credit cards and ATM/debit cards are widely accepted, although many merchants may prefer cash sales as that gives them a chance to save on bank commissions (and possibly to cheat the tax man).
Although nearly all places accept cards, I would still have cash with me for the occasional small purchase. Most Italians don’t pay with a card for a cup of espresso coffee. Also sometimes some merchants (especially taxi drivers) find the excuse that their POS machine is broken, and therefore they accept only cash.

It is not true that ferries require cash. You can pay with debit or credit cards, both at the ticket booth and onboard, and this is clearly stated also in the ferry website. Nevertheless for small purchases like a short ferry ride, using cash is the norm.

Posted by Colleen

London, UK

07/07/21 09:14 PM

71 posts

Hi Beth:

I am one of the few people who experienced the pandemic in three countries in 2020 (US, England, and Italy). Short answer is that cash is still appreciated/the norm for many things in Italy. You won’t find the change to contactless-only that you may find in England or elsewhere.

Enjoy your trip!

Posted by BethFL OP

07/08/21 01:28 AM

2517 posts

Sounds like things haven’t changed terribly so will plan that way.

Am glad though to know ferries do take credit cards as there are seven of us.

Thanks for the insight.