cash in Scandinavia
 

ok one last question, and then in two months hopefully I shall have a trip report to share.

I understand that many establishments in Scandinavia are going cashless, but I assume that one might still need actual money. How much would recommend we have on hand for approx 5 days per country (Denmark, Norway, Sweden)? Thanks

We were in Denmark and Sweden last summer and I had about $200.00 Can. worth of Danish kroner to start off with and that was enough because we used credit cards pretty much everywhere.
In Stockholm we tried to find an ATM to get cash and could not find one anywhere, literally. The man in the Post Office thought there might be one in the train station but told us they were going totally cashless in Sweden and we wouldn't need cash. He was right we paid for everything no matter how small with credit card.

Stockholm, at least, is nearly completely cash free. You can use your card for everything -- transportation, taxis, etc. Have so much fun! :)

In Denmark (2017) we used cash as we would in the States, for small purchases, and had no problems. In fact, if I recall correctly, the hotel in Ribe insisted on cash to pay for our room. I also recall getting cash for our bottle return in Copenhagen.

We had some cash on hand to pay for the following:
Hotel tipping (regardless of what people say about European wages, room cleaning is hard work)
Bus fare from Voss to Gudvangen in Norway
Hot dogs at random stands
Flea market shopping in Stockholm

Everything else was easy enough with a credit card or debit card. My pinless credit card didn't work at the unmanned train ticket kiosk in Copenhagen so I used my debit card. That's about it.

​​​​

On 2 visits to Stockholm I did not use any cash at all. Even the toilets at the department store took cards.

I'm in Sweden & Denmark every few months, I almost never have cash for either place. Some restaurants state that they are cash free, others eg in Denmark may state that non Danish or non EU issued credit card payments might be subject to a fee. Cash is more common in Denmark, for example, at Gilleleje harbour where you can eat smoked herrings on rye bread, the smokehouse wanted cash, the fishmonger also would only take cash.

Norway is pretty much cash free too. As mentioned previously, if you diy the Norway in a Nutshell tour you'll need NOK 59 for the bus between Gudvangen and Voss (they give change).
We don't tip as we expect people to be paid proper wages for the job as required by law, so no cash needed for that.

My cashless-in-Copenhagen story involves the required lockers at Rosenborg Castle. Visitors must put their bags in these before entering the grounds, even with quite small bags, like mine. The lockers needed a certain coin -- I forget which one! -- that absolutely none of the many tourists had. The patient ladies in the ticket office were simply handing out coins to everyone who asked for them, and gently requesting that they be returned.

much appreciated
 

Thanks so much everyone, this is very helpful (love the Rosenborg castle story). I will probably just get $100 worth for each country just to be on the safe side, and pass on what is next to someone else. (: