credit cards ok for intercity buses?

Probably not. My experience is that you either have a ticket before getting on or buy a ticket with a few coins when you get on. You probably can use a credit card to purchase tickets at a ticket window. I cannot remember every seeing a credit card used for a single ticket purchase. EDIT: Just realized I miss read the question. You can use a credit card for intercity buses at a ticket window. Initially thought you were asking about intra city buses - sorry.

Are you one of those people who holds everyone up while you pay for small purchases with a credit card? I looked at my expenses since 2007. Only once has a bus fare been €6, and usually it's less than €5. I pay cash for those. In Germany, bus travel is often included in my day's travel using a Bayern-Ticket, which I could buy from an automat using a credit card, but I don't usually.

Florence, It's possible that you might be able to use a credit card to buy bus tickets at a staffed ticket office, but less likely if you're using an automated Kiosk (which may ONLY accept "Chip & PIN" credit cards. I'd suggest keeping sufficient cash at hand, as that's the method you may have to use. Happy travels!

Thank you all for the information. No, I would not use a credit card for small purchases, but if you can find a fare from Salamanca to Santander for 6 euros, please let me know!!!