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.