Paying abroad

For US travelers

Cash or card, country by country.

Written for travelers leaving the US, this is a quick read on how each country actually pays, from the near-cashless places where you barely touch a note to the ones that still run on cash. The bar shows the rough share of everyday spending that tends to be cash, so more teal means more cash. Cards usually climb higher in big cities, so treat this as a feel rather than a rule, and open the guide for the detail.

From card-friendly to cash-first

Ordered by how much of everyday spending tends to be cash, lightest first. Each entry links to the full country guide.

Iceland5% cash

About as cashless as anywhere on earth; the real cost is the prices.

Sweden5% cash

Genuinely cashless; the real cost is how much everything costs.

Denmark8% cash

Nearly cashless; the real cost is how much everything costs.

Norway8% cash

Nearly cashless; the real cost is how much everything costs.

Australia10% cash

About as cashless as travel gets, with a little cash for the gaps.

Ireland12% cash

About as cashless as travel gets; a little cash is just backup.

Netherlands12% cash

Barely any cash changes hands here, cards and phones do almost everything.

New Zealand12% cash

About as cashless as travel gets, with a little cash for the gaps.

Singapore12% cash

About as cashless as travel gets, with a little cash for the hawkers.

United Kingdom14% cash

The UK is the most card-first country here. You barely need cash.

Aruba15% cash

Cards and US dollars cover almost everything. Keep a little cash for tips and vendors.

Brazil15% cash

Cards and Pix run the country; cash is a small backup.

South Korea15% cash

About as cashless as travel gets, with a little cash for the gaps.

United Arab Emirates15% cash

Barely any cash changes hands here, cards and phones do almost everything.

Hong Kong18% cash

About as cashless as travel gets, with cash for taxis and markets.

Canada20% cash

Nearly cashless, just budget for tax and tips on top of the sticker.

China20% cash

Your phone does most of the paying. Keep some yuan as a backup, and a card for hotels.

South Africa20% cash

Card-friendly, with cash kept back for tips.

Poland22% cash

About as cashless as Europe gets, with a little cash for the smallest spots.

France25% cash

Day to day, France is mostly card.

Georgia25% cash

The cities are strongly card-first. Keep a little cash for markets, minibuses and the mountains.

Switzerland25% cash

Nearly cashless, but keep a little for the mountains.

Portugal26% cash

Portugal is very card-friendly, but keep a little cash for the small stuff.

Hungary28% cash

Card-friendly day to day, with forint for markets, baths and taxis.

Spain28% cash

Spain is very card-friendly, but keep some euros for tapas and small towns.

Croatia30% cash

Card-friendly in the towns, with euros for islands, konobas and ferries.

Czechia30% cash

Very card-friendly, with a little cash for pubs and small towns.

Italy30% cash

Italy is very card-friendly now, but keep some euros for the little things.

Argentina35% cash

Cards cover most of a city trip now, but keep cash for taxis, small spots and tips.

The Bahamas35% cash

Cards and US dollars cover Nassau and the resorts; keep cash for the straw market, taxis, tips and the Out Islands.

Colombia40% cash

Card-friendly in the cities, but cash still runs the coast and the small towns.

Ecuador40% cash

Cards cover the cities; keep cash for taxis, markets, the countryside and the cash-only Galapagos fees.

Jamaica40% cash

Cards and US dollars cover the resorts and tourist towns, but keep Jamaican cash for taxis, jerk stands and tips.

Taiwan40% cash

Card-friendly in the cities, but keep cash for the night markets.

Turkey40% cash

Cards in the cities, cash for the bazaar.

Greece42% cash

Greece splits in two: card-friendly cities, cash-leaning islands.

Austria45% cash

Cards work, but keep real cash on you here.

Costa Rica45% cash

Cards go a long way, but cash still matters off the tourist track.

Japan45% cash

Japan is more card-friendly than its reputation, but cash still rules the small stuff.

Namibia45% cash

Cards work in town, cash rules the long roads.

Dominican Republic48% cash

Cards cover the resort zones, but you'll want cash the moment you step outside them.

Germany48% cash

Germany is more cash-loving than its efficient reputation suggests.

India55% cash

Cash still runs the street, but QR payments and cards now cover a lot.

Mexico55% cash

Mexico is card-friendly in resorts and cities, but cash still runs daily life.

Sri Lanka60% cash

Sri Lanka runs on cash, in rupees.

Thailand60% cash

Thailand is cash-first once you step outside the malls.

Cambodia65% cash

Cambodia runs on cash, and that cash is US dollars.

Indonesia65% cash

Cash still does most of the work, even in Bali's tourist strip.

Morocco65% cash

A cash-first country, with cards for the bigger things.

Vietnam70% cash

Day to day, Vietnam leans heavily on cash.

Egypt72% cash

Cash first, and lots of small notes for tips.

Laos80% cash

Day to day, Laos leans heavily on cash.

Cash questions, country by country

Where a place has a specific cash-or-card wrinkle worth walking through, we have written it up. Each one lives in that country's guide.

Do I need cash in Aruba, or can I use cards and dollars?Short answer: you can do almost the whole trip on a card and US dollars, and you never need to exchange for florin. Here is how to pay, and the one habit that saves you money.Do I need cash in Australia, or can I use cards?Short answer: almost never. Australia is one of the most cashless countries anywhere, so you can tap for nearly everything. Here is how to handle it, including the card surcharge you may see.Do I need cash in Austria, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards in the cities, a fair bit of cash for small places. Austria is a little more cash-minded than most of Western Europe, much like its neighbor Germany, so carry euros. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in Brazil, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards cover most of a city trip, and you need less cash than you would think. The wrinkles are Brazilian: Pix has taken over informal payments but tourists mostly cannot use it, and foreign cards carry a local tax. Here is how to pay well.Do I need cash in Canada, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards for almost everything, a little cash for markets and parking meters. Canada is nearly as tap-happy as it gets. The things to get right are the pre-tax price tag, the fee-heavy private ATMs, and the dollar prompt.How to pay in ChinaShort answer: your phone, not your wallet. Here is how to set up Alipay and WeChat Pay with your own card before you go, what cash to carry, and where a physical card still helps.Do I need cash in Colombia, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards in cities for hotels and nicer places, and peso cash for markets, small shops and taxis. Use ATMs inside banks or malls for safety. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in Costa Rica, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards work almost everywhere, dollars are accepted, but you get better value paying in colones, and you will want a little cash for sodas, buses and small vendors. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in Croatia, or can I use cards?Short answer: a card for most things, a little euro cash for the rest. The big update: Croatia switched to the euro in 2023, so any older advice about the kuna is out of date. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in Czechia, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards work well, especially in Prague, but the currency is the koruna, not the euro, so do not pay in euros. Carry a little koruna for small shops and pubs. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in Denmark, or can I use cards?Short answer: a card for almost everything, very little cash. Denmark is nearly cashless like its Nordic neighbors, and it keeps the krone rather than the euro. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in the Dominican Republic, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards at resorts and hotels, and peso cash for small vendors, taxis and corner stores. Dollars are accepted in tourist areas, but pesos give better value. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in Ecuador, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards cover the cities, but you will want dollars in hand for the everyday and rural side, and cash is essential in the Galapagos. Here is how to pay, and how to carry money safely.Do I need cash in Egypt, or can I use cards?Short answer: cash, mostly. Cards work at hotels and upscale spots, but almost everything else runs on cash, including the constant tipping. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in France, or can I use cards?Short answer: card for almost everything, a little cash for bakeries and market stalls. France is firmly card-first, and contactless runs the day. The things to get right are a chip-and-PIN backup, the fee-heavy kiosk ATMs, and the dollar prompt.Do I need cash in Georgia, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards cover most of a city trip, but a little lari is worth carrying, and one habit saves you money at every terminal. Here is how to pay.Do I need cash in Germany, or can I use cards?Short answer: more cash than the rest of Western Europe. Germany is card-friendly in larger shops and hotels, but a surprising number of everyday places take only cash, so carry euros. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in Greece, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards work in the cities and big resorts, but carry euro cash for tavernas, kiosks and the smaller islands. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in Hong Kong, or can I use cards?Short answer: a card for most things, an Octopus card for the rest, and a little cash for markets. The Octopus card is the real key to Hong Kong. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in Hungary, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards in Budapest, some forint elsewhere. Hungary keeps the forint rather than the euro, its notes run into the thousands, and it is a bargain by Western European standards. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in India, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards for hotels and larger purchases, and cash for daily life. Locals pay by UPI apps that are hard for visitors, so carry rupee cash in small notes. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in Indonesia, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards in tourist hubs like Bali and Jakarta, and rupiah cash for daily life. Watch the big numbers and the ATM withdrawal caps. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in Ireland, or can I use cards?Short answer: a card for almost everything, a little cash for country pubs. The Republic of Ireland is firmly card-first. The one thing to watch is the border: cross into Northern Ireland and the currency changes to pounds.Do I need cash in Italy, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards for most things, a stash of euros for the small ones. Italy is more card-friendly than its reputation, and merchants must legally accept cards, but cash still oils the daily stuff. Here is how to pay well.Do I need cash in Jamaica, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards at resorts and hotels, and Jamaican-dollar cash for small vendors, markets and route taxis. US dollars are accepted in tourist areas, but local currency gives better value. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in Japan, or can I use cards?Short answer: bring some cash, but you will tap and swipe for most of a city trip. The catch is that most Japanese bank ATMs reject foreign cards. Here is where to get yen, when you truly need it, and how to pay for the rest.Do I need cash in Mexico, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards for the big things, pesos for the small ones. The mistake that costs tourists most is paying in dollars instead of pesos. Here is how to pay well and get cash safely.Do I need cash in Morocco, or can I use cards?Short answer: mostly cash. Cards work at hotels and upscale spots, but the souks, taxis and small vendors run on cash. And the dirham is a closed currency, so plan to get it on arrival. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in Namibia, or can I use cards?In Windhoek and the tourist towns, cards are fine. The catch is the driving: Namibia is a road-trip country, and fuel and remote stops often mean cash. Here is how to plan for both.Do I need cash in the Netherlands, or can I use cards?Short answer: a card for almost everything, very little cash. The Netherlands is strongly card-first, and if anything the risk runs the other way, with some places taking cards only. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in New Zealand, or can I use cards?Short answer: barely any cash, New Zealand runs on tap-and-go. The one local wrinkle is the surcharge some places add when you pay by card. Here is what to expect and how to pay well.Do I need cash in Norway, or can I use cards?Short answer: a card for everything, and almost no cash. Norway is nearly cashless like its Nordic neighbors, uses the krone rather than the euro, and is one of Europe's most expensive countries. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in Poland, or can I use cards?Short answer: a card for most things, a little zloty for the rest. Poland is very card-friendly, keeps the zloty rather than the euro, and is a pleasant bargain by Western European standards. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in Portugal, or can I use cards?Short answer: a card for most things, a little euro cash for the rest. Portugal is card-friendly, especially in Lisbon and Porto, but small shops, markets and rural spots still like cash. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in Singapore, or can I use cards?Short answer: a card for almost everything, a little cash for hawker stalls. Singapore is very card-friendly, and even many hawker centres now take cashless. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in South Africa, or can I use cards?Short answer: a card for most of the day, and rand cash for markets, car guards, petrol attendants and tips. Use ATMs in secure spots and mind the skimming scams. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in South Korea, or can I use cards?Short answer: mostly cards, a little cash. Korea runs on plastic, so a Visa or Mastercard covers almost everything, but markets and street food still want won. Here is how to pay, get around, and which apps to skip.Do I need cash in Spain, or can I use cards?Short answer: card for almost everything, a little cash for tapas bars and markets. Spain is firmly card-first, and contactless runs the day. The things to get right are the fee-heavy kiosk ATMs, the odd card minimum, and the dollar prompt.Do I need cash in Sri Lanka, or can I use cards?Short answer: carry rupees. Cards work fine in Colombo and at hotels, but most of the everyday, and most of the fun, runs on cash. Here is how to get it well and what to keep on hand.Do I need cash in Sweden, or can I use cards?Short answer: a card for everything, and you may never touch cash. Sweden is one of the most cashless countries anywhere, and many places refuse cash outright, so the real risk is a dead card, not a lack of notes.Do I need cash in Switzerland, or can I use cards?Short answer: a card for almost everything, a little cash in francs. Switzerland is very card-friendly, but the thing to get right is the currency: it uses Swiss francs, not euros, despite being surrounded by the eurozone.Do I need cash in Taiwan, or can I use cards?Short answer: carry cash. Taiwan is more cash-reliant than most visitors expect for a high-tech place, so keep NT dollars and pick up an EasyCard for transit. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in Thailand, or can I use cards?Short answer: yes, carry baht, Thailand is still a cash country for the best bits, even though cards work in cities. The thing to plan around is the flat fee Thai ATMs charge foreign cards. Here is how to keep it cheap.Do I need cash in Turkey, or can I use cards?Short answer: a card for cities and larger purchases, lira cash for bazaars, small vendors and taxis. And with high inflation, prices move fast. Here is how to handle it.Do I need cash in the UK, or can I use cards?Short answer: you can do the whole trip without cash. Contactless runs everything, including all of London's transport, and many places no longer take notes at all. Here is how to pay, and the couple of things to get right.Do I need cash in Vietnam, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards for hotels and larger purchases, and dong cash for daily life. One quirk to watch: the dong has a lot of zeros, so notes are easy to mix up. Here is how to handle it.

This is our own read from experience and each country's guide, not an official figure, and it is checked when we check the guide. For the fees behind a trip, see tourist taxes and entry fees, and every guide has the full money picture. More on how we work is on our methodology page.