How accepted are credit cards?

....and these question are related to where?

As a general rule, merchants that cater to tourists will almost always accept credit/debit cards. Purchasing tickets for buses/subways/train/trams with plastic at automatic machines can be problematic because they usually only accept cards with smart chips embedded in them; US cards don't have this. Using the manned ticket windows usually overcomes this. I like to earn FF miles using my credit/debit card, so I use plastic as much as I can, but there are always some places where cash is better. I usually try to have the equivalent of about $100 dollars of cash on me.

Credit cards are widely accepted. Ask if they are accepted before you sit down.

I've never asked a taxi to take a credit card, nor for buying bus or subway tickets. Train tickets we do use the credit card.

You should set a limit of "if it's under x$ pay cash". That's what we do to avoid small dollar charges.

You didn't say where you are going because it does matter some. Some areas prefer cash more than others. In some ways it is your personal preference. Last Fall we traveled from Amsterdam to Athens over 33 days and charged exactly two items. One was a hotel that would not give a cash discount and the other was on the last day when I was trying to manage my Euros so that I would have a couple hundred left over. While a frequent poster will maintain that "cash is scarce" in Europe, I have found that cash is king. And if you have any concern about credit card fraud, then it is even better to use cash. Over time the 3 to 5% saved using cash does add up.

Sorry! Rome, Florence, Venice- possibly Siena, Lucca

Most places in heavily touristed areas will accept credit cards. Just like here they may have a credit card brand logo on the door or near the register.

But keep in mind that processing a card transaction does cost the merchant a fee and you may incur a fee for the foreign transaction from the credit card issuer.

There are places that do not take credit cards, but we have mostly run into them in small villages and out fo the way spots.

Also don't be shy about asking for a discount from your hotel if you pay in cash instead of on a card. Many will give you 3-5% discounts

"...Also don't be shy about asking for a discount from your hotel if you pay in cash instead of on a card. Many will give you 3-5% discounts"

This is true for Italy, but I mistakenly asked this of our Swiss hotel and was met with a look of disdain from the front desk. Evidentally Switzerland does not offer such discounts - live and learn I guess.

I agree with setting a limit for yourself. I figure if it is under 50 Euro, I pay cash, over 50 and I an in a larger city or a tourist area, I might consider Credit if I don't have the cash. What I have found:

Cash is generally cheaper for me, cheaper for them, with credit an option only if my daily cash limit is an issue.

Small mom and pop places and transactions for small amounts frown the most on credit.

With every trip over the last decade, the use of plastic is becoming more and more common, though probably more due to the Chip cards common in Europe rather than the mag strip cards we use. When we can easily use chip cards, the trend will really change.

Just returned from a first trip to Rome and Venice. I was surprised at how many sites and restaurants did not take credit cards. Most of the restaurants I went to were less touristy, and that may be why not as many took credit cards. Definitely also have cash (or access to cash) for street vendors, transportation, and even some sites.

I was planning on using my credit card more than I did, so I had to withdraw cash from ATMs several times. However, I was very pleased when I returned and checked my bank account and the fees associated with the withdrawals were definitely reasonable. So check with your bank about their international fees before you go.

It was our impression that credit cards in Europe are simply not as widely accepted as they are here at home. Perhaps like Denise, we frequented smaller establishments. Learn about ATMs and plan to use them. Inform your bank of your travel plans, raise your daily limit if need be. Cash discounts for hotels anyway were fairly common.