Is it really cash only in Germany/Austria?
Aug 19th, 2019, 05:16 AM
#21
This thread reminded me that we've paid cash for accommodation in Germany too. In Dresden our accommodation didn't accept credit cards - in lieu of a bank transfer, the owner asked us to send a check in US funds, which he held as a deposit until our arrival, then we paid in cash. And the owner of an apartment in Nurnburg allowed us to pay cash upon arrival instead of sending a bank transfer (at our request).
We do this routinely in Switzerland too (for privately owned apartments).
We do this routinely in Switzerland too (for privately owned apartments).
Aug 19th, 2019, 05:19 AM
#22
I must be in the minority. My money market account charges me zero fees for cash so have no problem pulling out cash and spending it. Major hotels we pay with card but we have already paid for our apartment via paypal for upcoming Germany trip, we have used booking.com for hotels but eating out and bars, buying groceries and other items we pay cash. I will look and see if southern Bavaria has changed since our last visit. I will always have cash for the vendors at markets and small shops.
Aug 19th, 2019, 04:17 PM
#24
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Reading everyone's experiences has been very helpful, and I will definitely have euros before leaving USA, and I need to make sure my bank card works for withdrawing from a 24 hour bank machine (it should). We like to go to local eateries rather than chains, and many of the local German restaurant websites state "cash only." I am very surprised by this. Can't remember the last time I used cash to pay for a restaurant meal. I have a debit card and have not used it for years. I am glad to have this info before leaving! It did not cross my mind that credit cards are shunned by merchants in Germany! This is useful information to know. Thanks to everyone who responded.
Aug 19th, 2019, 05:02 PM
#26
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Most of the places I stay at do not take credit cards. I now try to prepay with a bank transfer. Most places I eat at take only cash. When I was at a big department/grocery store in Tuebingen 3 years ago, I was surprised when they seemed to prefer cards.
Aug 19th, 2019, 11:08 PM
#27
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Good Lord, what guidebooks are you reading? Please tell us so that we can avoid them.
Of course there will always be some establishments, in any country, that prefer or insist on cash only, but does anyone seriously think that advanced economies like those of Germany and Austria generally take cash only????
Always have some cash on you, of course, but jeeeeeeez!
Of course there will always be some establishments, in any country, that prefer or insist on cash only, but does anyone seriously think that advanced economies like those of Germany and Austria generally take cash only????
Always have some cash on you, of course, but jeeeeeeez!
Germany is pretty cash oriented. Been caught out a number of times in restaurants because I assumed they would take cards. Always ask.
Aug 19th, 2019, 11:10 PM
#28
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I spent a couple of nights in Hallstatt, Austria. When I checked out the cc machine was suddenly not working. Can you pay cash? Joke was on her, she accidently charged me for one night instead of two. LOL! However, just hours before, the cc machine was working just fine in the restaurant.
I had read about this cash scam before my trip. They don't want to pay taxes and cc fees.
Didn't have the cash issue any where else in Austria or Germany.
I had read about this cash scam before my trip. They don't want to pay taxes and cc fees.
Didn't have the cash issue any where else in Austria or Germany.
Aug 20th, 2019, 01:44 AM
#30
<< It's not a scam. In Germany generally, there is also much more awareness about privacy and accessibility issues in the economy. >>
In this case, I believe she was scamming me. The night before the cc machine was working just fine in the restaurant where many people were dining. So it would have been difficult to refuse everyone's cc. However, the next morning when I was one of a very few people staying there, the cc machine upstairs was not working. I had previously read about this happening to avoid taxes and cc fees.
Although not in Germany, it was in Austria so still very close by. I honestly don't believe it had anything to do with privacy since she said the cc machine was not working, she never said said anything about privacy nor accessibility.
In this case, I believe she was scamming me. The night before the cc machine was working just fine in the restaurant where many people were dining. So it would have been difficult to refuse everyone's cc. However, the next morning when I was one of a very few people staying there, the cc machine upstairs was not working. I had previously read about this happening to avoid taxes and cc fees.
Although not in Germany, it was in Austria so still very close by. I honestly don't believe it had anything to do with privacy since she said the cc machine was not working, she never said said anything about privacy nor accessibility.
Aug 20th, 2019, 08:53 AM
#31
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I was just in Berlin and used my CC most of the time. I don't remember any place that was cash only (restaurants or museums). Of course my hotel took a CC, they couldn't stay in business if they didn't, but it was a regular big hotel. I did pay cash to a taxi which I just used arrival and departure, but I usually do that, I don't remember if they would take CCs or not. I never bought anything small from a small vendor, if I did, I'd pay cash, but I never did that. I bought a Berlin Welcome card so just used that for transportation and never had to buy any other tickets for that. The TI took a CC to buy it.
I bought some wine and minor food items at a large store, they took CCs for sure. That was the Galeries Lafayette food section, though.
It would be odd if they only took cash when you have some Scandinavian countries that refuse to take cash (which I think is discriminatory, but they do it). But you never know, one reason business don't like taking cash (in those countries) is that it cuts down on crime and security and other costs a lot when you aren't dealing with lots of cash on your premises (not to mention having to take it to the bank).
I was only in the main part of Berlin, true, not some rural area.
I bought some wine and minor food items at a large store, they took CCs for sure. That was the Galeries Lafayette food section, though.
It would be odd if they only took cash when you have some Scandinavian countries that refuse to take cash (which I think is discriminatory, but they do it). But you never know, one reason business don't like taking cash (in those countries) is that it cuts down on crime and security and other costs a lot when you aren't dealing with lots of cash on your premises (not to mention having to take it to the bank).
I was only in the main part of Berlin, true, not some rural area.
