How much cash do you take on holiday?

[llamalines]

It's years since I went on holiday, all advice gratefully received!

I need to go get some cash out for a week's holiday in the EU. I think my card works there. We'll be mooching about the town, going to cafes, the beach etc.

Would you take a lot of cash or just buy things with your card?

How much cash would you bring for yourself?
How much fur each DC?

(My budget is moderately cheap, can't afford deluxe!)

I'm away and brought a fair bit, and have regretted it as everywhere just accepts cards. There was just one day when we'd popped over the border to another country and hired a pedalo, then when it came to pay they said it was cash only, and I had none for that country! They ended up letting me pay with the other country's cash.

I've found Monzo fantastic for seeing immediately what I've spent, with the conversion, and easy to do an immediate top up from my usual account when needed.

Those who never use cash - what about tips?
Adding it to the bill doesn't usually reach the waiter or taxi driver.

I'm a bit disorganised and managed to find a 5 Euro note in the drawer of doom just before we went to France.
Changed that info 1 Euro coins on day 1 to use in a trolley for grocery shopping.
The other 4 euros got used in the bakery which had a min 5 euro card charge (min charge not uncommon during our stay).
I then got 20 euro from an ATM 2 days before we left and have returned with 15.
Tipping in France is less expected than in the uk as I think (hope!) hospitality staff are better paid.

If I was going again tomorrow I'd take 20 euro in small notes and change.

I used my debit card everywhere else.

I don't actually take any with me unless we have some Euros left over from the last trip.

We take debit and credit cards, which are what we mostly use. I do like to have a bit of cash available so will get some out of an ATM on arrival which can be used as tips or as required.

I use my debit card to get a supply of cash from an ATM on arrival for just this purpose.

The main bill is paid by debit or credit card and a small amount of cash is left for the tip if deemed appropriate.

About €200, I have similar in the UK on holiday as some places prefer cash in some areas

Usually €100 in small notes. Add tips to bill. Who says the right staff don’t get? That’s not universal.

Using a bank card at an atm can be expensive. Use Monzo or Halifax Clarity. Read MSE Martin Lewis for tips on this. If going to North America, get an eSIM for your phone.

We have a Revolut card, currently loaded with euros and sterling. On a recent trip to Amsterdam I took a wodge of cash and the Revolut, and most of the time I paid by card. A lot of places simply didn't take cash, so I was glad I had it. I'd recommend you get a Revolut or Chase or Starling account in advance so you've got that as an option as well as cash. I don't take my regular debit cards away with me as the charges at ATMs is too steep imo.

On a previous trip (not in Europe) a cashier seemed to be acting a little oddly with the card, so DH froze it quickly just in case. It also messages you to your phone to tell you about each transaction moments after it happens, so it feels secure in that respect as well.

The in-flight food/drink was card only, no cash at all, so I was relieved about that too. I do think having both is the best of both worlds.

In Iceland, none at all. We never saw their currency at all. We took about £100 worth to Istanbul but had to consciously use it up. Everywhere took card there too.

Very little but it depends where you. Spain and Portugal are still cash friendly even though cards are ok almost everywhere

Netherlands has gone virtually cash-unfriendly. Signs up everywhere saying card only.

a lot of Europe doesn’t really tip

Approx £100 in local currency just for emergency use if needed. Have a post office card and just put money on that and use it to avoid any bank charges.

Do you mean Europeans don't tip or that some countries it's not done.or just that you don't tip. Do you not tip in the UK?
I've never been anywhere in Europe that "doesn't tip".
I'm talking about hotels, bars, restaurants, taxis in holiday destinations such as Spain, Greece, Italy.
It's not like the US where they might chase after you and ask why you didn't tip but it's always appreciated.

I'm in Portugal and it's not unusual for bars and restaurants to be cash only. There are cash points so easy to get cash if you need it.

I just use my monzo card and about €50, for tips or in case my phone not charged or l lose it.
My DP on the other hand, always takes plenty of cash and for some reason doesn't like using thier card abroad, up to them I'm not walking around with €800 in my bag..

Lots of Germany and Austria places are still cash only.

I most def do tip in the UK and abroad. But in the Netherlands and Scandinavia it’s not a thing at all in the way it is in the UK/US. And in France there is usually a separate service charge in your bill.

In southern Europe granted people do, but it’s appreciated rather than expected. Lots esp locals don’t bother and people are paid with that in mind. Tourists probably tip more than locals.

I was very surprised when in Portugal I had to pay for an expensive excursion €200 or so and it was cash only! But as you say plenty of cash points, more than here

We did a road trip in Europe recently and was shocked at how many places were cash only in Germany. We only passed through Austria briefly but the buses we used were cash only. It seems so backwards in this day and age. The other countries we visited cards were accepted virtually everywhere.

Just got back from three weeks in France. I took about 300 euros and have come home with about 30 euros. I used Monzo for most of it (and if you want a code to get a free fiver to set up a Monzo account I'm sure there are loads of people on here who would give you one, including me).

I agree in most of Europe cash is no longer needed…I can’t remember the last time I took any. But I’m usually travelling in southern Europe. The north might be different, though I do go to Germany / Belgium / France quite often.

On the French waiting staff front, I think they are paid less than here. The minimum wage is under €12 I believe. But, waiter/waitressing isn’t looked down on quite the same as it is here, and can actually become a career with progression. Then of course french labour laws are such that most of them are actually employed with guaranteed hours, unlike here. And then everywhere you go you’ll see ‘servis compris’ or ‘ttc et servis compris’ because the service charge is included. Much as the trend is here now.

In the US and Caribbean cash is still needed, if nothing else for the constant tipping! Likewise you won’t get far in outside the big cities with cash. In those countries I start with a few hundred £s worth and then use atms as necessary.

Just been in a cafe in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland that didn't accept cards.

We have Nationwide cards (debit and credit) which don't have fees when used abroad.

I am in Germany quite often at the moment and only had one cafe and one attraction where they were cash-only, even small bakeries take cards nowadays.

I normally take whatever Euros we have around, I may get some if I think I am somewhere where there could be an issue and I run low.