Cash versus credit card

We were in Spain in the spring and used hardly any cash - mostly credit cards.

I'd take a bit (50€ or so) to get you started and get more along the way as needed.

I always have 50 to 100 euro in pocket, even if I don't need it. Street vendors often prefer cash. Sometimes the taxi credit card machine "isn't working." Sometimes I will bring that hundred home and have it ready for the next trip. You probably could get by exclusively with credit card but I am of the age when back up is always credit and there is nothing like cash for the ultimate back up. Even at home I always have about $50 on me most of the time.

I traveled last October, and we were in the Pyrenees and Barcelona for 2 weeks. (mostly in the countryside and out of big cities) We needed very little cash, but I always keep some on hand for very small purchases in shops. While many may have taken credit, I don't like to charge for below 5-10 dollars. This is for the store's sake more than mine. I have also visited markets in Europe where vendors wanted cash. (We didn't visit any in Spain) We traveled there for 2 weeks, and my bank records show I never got cash while we were there. However, we had been in Austria before, so I probably had some Euros left. When I return this year, I will probably take out 100 euros. I know at the end of the trip, I was looking for opportunities to use up what I had left. Other things to consider is if you are doing any tours, etc. where you might want to tip, many bathrooms can require a euro to use (at least out in the countryside), and parking. (Once again, that may depend on how rural you go. We have been to trailheads where parking is done "trust based" and you put the asked for amount in a lock box. May not apply to you)

My son traveled to Malaga, Spain in December of 2022. I always bring home about 10 euros to start with and get us to our first place. I gave them to him, and he returned them unused. He said every where he went, credit cards were accepted.

On my last trip to Spain (Oct/Nov23) I got €50, after 22 days i spent my remaining €6 at the airport before leaving. I have seen buskers with card readers. Local busses and restrooms often require cash.

Brad

As mentioned, CC is the way to go. In my last two trips there I’ve only had four places that were cash only; a cafe in Burgos, and empanada shop and ice cream stand in Zaragoza, and a park entrance fee at Castro Santa Trega by A Guarda. I tend to use cash at outdoor cafes when I only get a drink or for purchases less than 5-10€. I usually have around 300€ but that amount decreases as the number of cash only places decreases.

Portugal and Germany still have plenty of cash only establishments, or a minimum amount to use a CC.

Sometimes the taxi credit card machine "isn't working."

It's amazing how quickly the credit card machine works again when you tell them you have no cash.

I have taken to using cash as much as possible. Excepting hotels, car rental. I do it for the ease of accounting. I take out from ATMs along the way, as needed. At the end of the trip I can easily add up ATM withdrawals and see what I spent. Sure I have CC statements too, but I don’t have everything I have bought on CC and have to look through so many more transactions.

Last year in the Valencia area I went to a couple of small cafes that were cash only but there were other places around if you only had a card.

We did need cash to pay for a couple of activities. The kids went rafting and we also had a guy come round for wine tasting. Both wanted cash so if you’re planning to do anything like this be prepared for the possibility of cash being requested.

You can use your card nearly for everything, but yes, have some cash. The more you stick to the tourist well beaten path, the more you will use your card, you venture off to smaller restaurants out of the city center, or head into very small shops, cash will be more common.

We used cash for small purchases, a bottle of water, even sitting for a glass of wine or a Tinto de Verano, warranted using cash, since it was only a few euro. We also did run into a restaurant or two that were cash only, and depending if the laundromat has been upgraded, you might need cash for the change machine.

I'm with the advice above, I have 50-100 euro on me at all times, I may not use it, but nice to have a backup. If I do use it up or get low, I get another 100 euro from an ATM.

I would agree with the 50-100 euros. I usually bing more, but my rule of thumb is at least the cost of a taxi from airport to hotel. I know lots of people have had luck with a taxi taking a card after someone says they have cash, but last year in the UK when we said we had no cash, the taxi drivers took us to an ATM. This year in Spain fellow tour mates got the “we only take cash” from their Barcelona airport taxi and when he took them to an ATM, their credit card wouldn’t work. They eventually worked things out, but it was a rough way for them to start their vacation.

We were in Spain for almost a month and tapped the credit card frequently, more than we have in the past. Only once, in a fairly touristy restaurant in Madrid, did the credit card machine ask if we wanted to add a tip.

Some restaurants may only take cash or may charge the customer the 3% or so credit card transaction fee. We brought 100 euros (borrowed from a relative) the last couple of times we were in Spain and only spent 10-30 euros in cash. We found Kuxtabank dispensed euros without a service charge unlike many other Spanish banks.

I recommend checking with your credit card companies (as well as your debit card bank) to see which cards do not charge a foreign transaction fee, then use those cards in Spain. Typically the restaurants and some stores will ask if you want to pay in USD or Euros--go with the Euros. The credit card companies will get a much better exchange rate than the processing companies.

Also before traveling, let your credit card companies know when you will be traveling. Even if you are just in Spain, may be a good idea to let them know that there may be charges from other EU countries to avoid headaches. Had to spend time calling the US to authorize charges from Germany and France for Ouigo train tickets as well as tickets to Madrid Real stadium.

It's amazing how quickly the credit card machine works again when you tell them you have no cash.

Word.

I managed four weeks in Spain and spent maybe 15 euros in cash, total. Maybe less. Then again, I rarely have more than $10-20 in cash on me at home, except on the golf course.

For decades, I was cash "heavy", and then over time, CCs just became more and more ubiquitous, and my "remaining" Euro stash at the end of a trip tended to be remarkably near what my initial stash I brought with me.

I spend cash when needed, but that really seems rarer and rarer these days - in Europe and the US.