Our trip is coming up soon! We will be staying 3 nights in Mürren — 2 full days & 2 partial days. At restaurants, Coop, and any small stores, are most or all transactions in cash even after the COVID outbreak? Or are contactless payments accepted? Before arriving at Mürren, should we stop at a bank cash machine? I honestly don’t know how much cash we would need. Our hotel (which includes breakfast) will be paid by credit card. Thank you.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2544 posts
I took out 100CHF during our 5 night stay last summer. Ended up spending it (mostly on chocolate!). My sister realized as we were leaving that she never took out any cash. Never needed it.
Posted by
Wengen
2488 posts
I have pretty much stopped using cash years a go. You can pay by card everywhere.
Posted by
Nashville, TN
612 posts
COVID has nothing to do with it, Murren has accepted credit card in most places for many years. You don’t need cash at all if you don’t want it, as even some of the farmers fridges with cheese, etc now accept CC. There is an ATM in Murren at the Schilthornbahn cable car station if you decide you want to visit any farm fridges that are cash only in Gimmelwald. I can’t think of a single thing in Murren that is cash only.
Posted by
Chicago
3125 posts
I can’t think of a single thing in Murren that is cash only.
I can. :-) This past June, I needed cash to pay for my ice cream from a place that was cash only. On a previous trip, I needed cash at a shop in Lauterbrunnen when their credit card machine was down. I also use cash to tip the housekeeping staff at hotels.
I always like to have some cash, just in case. I have been to multiple countries where people claim you don’t need cash, and I have needed cash.
Posted by
Chicago
3125 posts
This restaurant in Murren is cash only, as noted on their website:
So, I guess if you avoid places that are cash only, you can pay by card everywhere. :-)
Posted by
14 posts
Hi, I agree with Carrie, you can use credit card in all shops, restaurants etc in all cities and ski resorts in Switzerland. But there are still some exceptions like some small places up in the mountains, some small cafés and in some cases if you want to use a mountain guide and you do not make the reservation from the official agencies. Enjoy your trip!!
Posted by
Indiana
921 posts
We found that many of the smaller shops and restaurants will not accept an AMEX card, but VISA was fine everywhere. We did use a small amount of cash for tips and the farmer's window shops in Gimmelwald.
Posted by
Switzerland
158 posts
The Swiss payment app TWINT has become increasingly popular here. I've noticed that some market stalls, farm fridges, and small businesses (like an ice cream stand :-) only accept cash or TWINT, but as mentioned earlier, these are exceptions.
Posted by
OP
New York, NY
4071 posts
This is also so very helpful. Thank you so much. The credit card we plan to use is a Visa card.