My friend recently went to Sweden and found that it was almost impossible to spend cash as it seemed to be card only everywhere. Has anyone found this to be the case in France or Spain?
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Cash in pavement cafes, and leave the change for the waiter. Cash in boulangeries if you are just buying a couple of croissants. Ask on arrival at a campsite about how to pay on the evening before you leave. But cards are accepted most places - contactless too.
About 4 or 5 years ago, we were visiting friends in Germany. Our debit cards were fine in large cities, but once away from such major centres, the cards would not work. OK I accept the contactles system may not function, but the local machines simply refused to recognise them.
We noticed that our friends bank cards were the old fashioned type without the chip.
To pay our hotel bill, I had to go to a local bank and use the cash machine there to draw cash. Much to the annoyance of the hotel manager as he had to wait for me to go to the bank.
We have visited many countries in Europe and only experienced this in Germany.
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On recent trip to France (June), noticed a lot more card transactions accepted than previous visit 3 years ago. TBH we didn't spend much money either cash or card, as most of our visit expenses were prepaid from UK, didn't even need to buy petrol as plenty in tank for return journey home, but did supermarket food shop once (card), pay unmanned car park (card), one pre-booked hotel (card), bought couple of Pizzas (card) and one restaurant meal for 2 (card).
What we did notice when trying to plan a meal before the ferry home was that being a Monday most restaurants were closed, what was open was small bistro/cafe type places and most ONLY took cash!
On the ferry, all drinks, breakfast etc. was paid with a card.
We only took about 50 Euros between us to buy a coffee or whatever, but don't think we spent any of it.
I have never stopped carrying cash even during lockdown in UK.
I took both EURs and cards with me when I went on a business trip in Ireland and both were accepted at restaurants, hotel and taxis.
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Lived in France for the last 4 years. Rural area in the Dordogne so perhaps more geared up for cards due to tourist trade than some other areas.
Cards taken more or less everywhere apart from some market stalls or for amounts under 5 euro (and many places will accept a card for a couple of euro like our village boulangerie).
Had the same 10 euro note in my pocket for months now.
Quote: Originally posted by longcol on 31/8/2022
Lived in France for the last 4 years. Rural area in the Dordogne so perhaps more geared up for cards due to tourist trade than some other areas.
Cards taken more or less everywhere apart from some market stalls or for amounts under 5 euro (and many places will accept a card for a couple of euro like our village boulangerie).
Had the same 10 euro note in my pocket for months now.
But I am sure you will pay for a round, one of these days.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
There is a rapid movement going on to introduce a cashless society, a society were the banks will run your lives completely.
How many times have you had your card declined and there was nothing wrong with it ? Not that many in the great scheme of things for me but it has happened.
The start of the cashless society started back in the 80’s when your brown wage packet was replaced by BACS , it then went to monthly salary and now rapidly the doing away of cash.
I also always try to pay in cash when possible and if I have to use a card whilst abroad I use the brilliant wise card https://wise.com/gb/card/
For me it should be about choice and that is real freedom, it should be a mixture of both and after all here for now at least , cash is the coin of the realm.
BTW my OH went for a long weekend in London recently and said it was “card only “ almost everywhere.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Cash or card?
via mobile 31/8/2022 at 3:09pm
