Travel to Sweden: What is the best way to pay for things?
I will be in Sweden for a week, mostly in Stockholm and Solna. I read an article in the Guardian suggesting that Sweden is moving fast towards being a cashless society.
Does this mean that I won't be able to pay for many things with cash?
Should I just bring my debit card to pay for things? I would rather not pay fixed bank surcharges on every little transaction (for 5 Euro train tickets, etc.).
Best Answer
Card works almost everywhere, exceptions being outdoor markets perhaps. Also some kiosks will not take card if the amount is below 10-50 kr.
One thing to note is that many streetfood trucks and smaller venues (where you might think cash only) might take card only to get rid of handling the cash. They use a mobile solution called iZettle with a card reader connected to a iPhone/iPad.
Also note that most places will use pin, but in some restaurants/bars you will sign the reciept.
But still you come a long way with cash only, and there are plenty of ATMs in the city.
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Can you use a debit card in Sweden?
Sweden is a nearly cashless country - bring your debit/credit card. Many Swedes prefer to use plastic over cash - some cafes and kiosks in Stockholm even refuse cash payments and accept cards only. So you're not likely to need a great deal of hard currency for your trip if you prefer to rely on credit and debit cards.What is the best currency to take to Sweden?
Krona is the best currency to take to Sweden. Businesses are likely to factor conversion costs into their prices. So you could end up paying a worse rate in foreign currency like the Euro than if you used Sweden's local money.Can I use my Visa card in Sweden?
Credit cards with Visa or Mastercard branding are accepted widely at banks, hotels, stores, restaurants, taxis and car rental companies. While acceptance of American Express cards is less common, even fewer establishments accept Diners Club cards. The Swedish currency is the Swedish krona (SEK), not the euro.How much cash can you bring to Sweden?
Cash control You have to give notification to Swedish Customs if you are carrying the equivalent of EUR 10,000 or more in cash or equivalent assets when travelling across an EU border.What Does $100 Get You in Stockholm? | Sweden Travel Budget
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Answer 2
If you want to be able to use a card without paying fees every time, then you may do well to look into a pre-paid travel debit/credit card. These are often a good bet to use when abroad anyway, if you don't have access to one of the UK cards (certain Halifax and Nationwide products) that are "free" to use abroad.
For UK nationals as I am guessing you are, MoneySavingExpert provides a good rundown.
Answer 3
I live outside of Stockholm. I used to pay most things with cash but nowadays I have moved over to card. I would still expect all places to accept cash though. One reason I moved over was the attitude towards large bills. Trying to pay for lunch with a SEK500 bill is often not popular. (Upper end restaurants and hotels I don't know about - I always pay with card at more expensive places.)
Also a thing to note in this context is that the cards that are generally accepted are VISA and MasterCard. Other cards may work in some places but don't count on it.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Pixabay, veeterzy, Joshua Welch, Andrea Piacquadio