Is it possible travelling Sweden WITHOUT credit or debit card?
I've heard that in Sweden (Stockholm, Gothenburg), you can only pay for public transportation by credit/debit card, or an app on your phone.
As an electronic payment hater, is it possible to travel the country (by public transportation) as tourist (including Stockholm, Gothenburg) WITHOUT a credit and debit card (and no app as well)?
I mean, the Swedish Krona is a state-recognized means of payment, so if I come with cash, theoretically they are legally obliged to accept it and can't really refuse to sell me a ticket, or can they ?
Best Answer
I'd go to the store Pressbyrån and get a prepaid debit card to use during the stay.
Using cash will be hard, many places don't accept cash. It will also be much more expensive.
If you only want to use cash you will have to plan your trip very well so that you know what places accept cash.
Getting tickets for public transportation during the evening and night will be near impossible using cash and you will then have to use mayor brand cabs that can be twice as expensive as app cabs - and that is if you manage to find them without using their app...
You will also most likely have to use manual checkouts which will make you spend time in queues, time you could spend doing other things. If the stores have self-service checkouts that accepts cash it's just one machine.
You will will barely be able to order food delivery as very few couriers bring cash.
You can't use the e-scooters if you don't have a card!
When I hang out with people living without a debit card they frequently ask me if I can pay using my card as it's much cheaper and the service is so much better.
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Do I need a credit card in Sweden?
But no need to worry. Major credit cards (some restrictions may apply to American Express) are widely accepted throughout Sweden at banks, hotels, stores, restaurants, taxis, car rental companies, and for air, ship and rail tickets.How can I travel without a debit card?
You can use PayPal to pay for your flight, hotel or car rental. PayPal is a money transfer company where you can link your bank account and make online purchases. Using PayPal as a purchase method provides the security of paying for travel without entering your credit or debit card details with the airline or hotel.Can you pay with cash in Sweden?
Under the Sveriges Riksbank Act, cash is legal tender in Sweden, which means that it is to be accepted as payment everywhere. But the rule can be waived by agreement by shops, restaurants, etc., via what is known as freedom of contract.How can I use without credit card?
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Answer 2
You have recieved other good answers on how to buy the tickets. Regarding cash it is up to the place where you want to purchase something to choose what forms of payments they accept and if you do not want to or can not pay in that way you will need to go elsewhere. Not all places will take cash, not all places will accept all cards (few take Diners for instance), some will take Swish (where you pay from an app in your phone). Overall a VISA or Mastercard works in almost all places in Sweden.
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