Scandinavia currency

I visited Norway, Sweden and Denmark at the end of 2024 and went 99.9% cashless. Everywhere was tap to pay.
In Hillerod near Copenhagen, I stopped at a store to get some ice cream on the cone. After paying, I asked for a small plastic spoon. Cashier said I could borrow the silverware if eating on site or I would need to pay for the spoon. I said I didn't have any cash, and she said card was fine. So I was charged the equivalent of $0.25 on my card for the plastic spoon.

While in Helsignor, I think, there was a street vendor selling beautiful earrings, bracelets. He only accepted cash. So I went to the nearby ATM and withdrew the smallest amount possible and bought a few for me and a few as gifts. That was the only time I took cash during my 11 day trip across all 3 countries.

And it's correct, each country has its own Krona and won't take the other. I didn't try to pay in Euros as I didn't have any!

I’m heading to Denmark and Sweden next month. I have already ordered and received both Danish and Swedish Krona. The equivalent of $75 for Denmark (I'll be spending more time here) and $50 for Sweden.

I just feel more comfortable having the local currency when I arrive. And I have needed cash on all my recent trips except for 1 or 2. I always seem to have the bad luck of frequenting a shop, restaurant, museum or paid toilet when the card readers are down.

It's true, you won't need cash. Living in Denmark, I have not used cash for many years. I don't know how long exactly, but it had been at least a few years before the pandemic hit in 2020. Sweden is even more cashless, and since it's not a requirement to accept cash in Sweden, there are places that will flat out refuse an attempt to pay in cash (with Swedish krona).

I bring my Visa and Mastercard when I travel, and store one of them in a safe location. That's gives me all the peace of mind I need.

And no, as the Scandinavian countries have their own currencies, euros are not going to be useful. In the most touristy areas there are some shops that will accept euros, but expect it to be at an unfavorable rate (because what are they going to use euros for, when they live and do business in a country that does not use euros?).

thanks for the clarification about euros. A tour operator told our group that euros should be OK if you feel you need to bring some cash; which turns out is incorrect information unless (as you pointed out) perhaps they'd accept them in a very touristy area. I'm going to get back to her to clarify for the group.

None of these countries will take Euro.

Honestly, you will have trouble spending cash so I wouldn’t bother; many places are card only. You won’t need to tip. Candy shops and hot dog kiosks will take a card.

OP - If you are not visiting other countries that take Euros, I wouldn't bother trying to get Euros for this trip.
I always bring dollars (cash) to all my trips as emergency for exchange in case I can't use ATM to withdraw money when in the country. Once the machine swallowed my debit card on a weekend so I was glad to have that extra cash at the ready to exchange.

We spent 2½ weeks in Norway in 2023. The only time we spent cash was for a laundry token on our 6 day Hurtigruten coastal ferry. And they just billed our cabin for the 10 kroner. They rest of the trip was all card.

I am with Carrie. I feel better having some of the appropriate cash with me. I think it is necessary for bellman tips, chambermaid tips, etc.

I feel better having some of the appropriate cash with me. I think it is necessary for bellman tips, chambermaid tips, etc.

Scandinavia, which includes Denmark, does not have a tipping culture, and most residents would prefer that American do not try to introduce it into their culture. Tipping is never required or expected because service is included in the price and workers receive high wages. The only exception might be for exceptional service at restaurants, and then it would be rounding up or 5% added to the bill (which you can do by credit card).

So if the plan is to bring cash for tips, don't bother.

Yep, agreed, and please no tipping. Forget Euros in Scandinavia. Since about 2018 when traveling in Denmark and Sweden, I only have a 10-Kroner coin for grocery carts (but you get it back), that's it! I usually pay with my Swedish debit card on Apple Pay, in Uppsala literally everyone accepts Apple Pay. If you're going to use a US credit card, just check it doesn't have any foreign transaction fees. Have a great trip!

What about tour guides? When taking group tours we have always tipped guides and drivers a small amount.

Just came back from Sweden and Denmark. Never took out any currency, never needed it, never even saw any (still don't know what a krone looks like). The only place I wish I HAD had some currency was to pay buskers.

What about using public transportation in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. Do they all accept a debit card??

Elle, are you asking about tap and pay to pay for public transportation? In Stockholm, you can tap and pay for the metro. In Copenhagen, you need a ticket or city pass.

We did a week in Denmark and Sweden and never got any cash. Tap and pay is everywhere. The ONLY thing I wish I had had a bit of cash for is for buskers. They have an e-transfer system (like Interac in Canada or Venmo in US), but its different than ours so I didn't want to bother to sign up for it.

In Copenhagen, you need a ticket or city pass.

Or even better, the Rejsekort app. Swipe on when you get on, swipe off when you get off, and the app calculates and pays the fare.

What about using public transportation in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. Do they all accept a debit card??

Public transport usually accepts Tap and Pay (or a public transport card, if you buy one) but I would never use a debit card for transactions like that. It's much safer to use a credit card. I do bring a debit card but it's tied to a bank with no-fee ATMs, and I only keep about $500 in it. And I only use it if I need cash, which is extremely rare.

I definitely would not bring a debit card that is tied to my main bank account.

I recently returned from my trip to Sweden, Denmark and Norway. A couple of things about money: First, there were two people in my group who brought euros thinking they could sometimes use them. They couldn't get rid of them. I had suggested to the tour guide to let the group know not to bring euros but I don't think that message got conveyed. Regarding Krona, I experienced only one instance where we could not use credit card. While in Oslo, about 12 of us wanted to take the bus to a sculpture garden after our city tour was done. When we attempted to board the bus, we were told we either needed to pay in cash or with a bus card. We had neither. Fortunately, the tour operator who had previously given us the tour was also boarding that bus. She paid for all of us and we reimbursed her via Venmo. I agree that it is a hassle to get currency when going to Scandinavia since all the countries have different currency and they won't accept krona from another country. Having "a little something" would have enabled us to take city buses more often. Had it not been for that nice city tour guide, we would have been stranded. Unfortunately, my bank Wells Fargo) does not allow a person to get "a little something"--there's a minimum order of $200 USD equivalent for online orders, and you can't get them in person.

Thank you for that information. We will be in Oslo and are planning to take that bus so it’s good to know.

Renee, when we were in Oslo in 2023 we purchased the Oslo Pass. It includes local transportation including the ferry, train to/from the airport and admission to many museums and attractions. We purchased our passes at the Oslo Visitors Center at the train station. You can now purchase it through an app. We definitely got our money's worth and never had to worry about cash in Norway.

In Oslo you can also buy a ticket or pass in the Ruter app with Visa/MC/Amex.