How Much Cash to Bring When Traveling: A Country-by-Country Guide

The Cash Conundrum

How much physical cash should you bring on an international trip? The answer has shifted dramatically over the past decade as card acceptance has expanded worldwide. In 2015, most travellers needed significant cash in most destinations. In 2026, the answer ranges from “none” in some countries to “quite a lot” in others.

The right amount of cash balances several factors: card acceptance rates in your destination, ATM availability and fees, the cost of exchanging currency before you travel versus withdrawing abroad, and your tolerance for carrying physical money. This guide provides practical recommendations for 25+ destinations based on current conditions.

General Principles

Before country-specific recommendations, understand the framework. The goal is not to optimize to the last dollar but to avoid two costly extremes: exchanging too much cash at poor rates before your trip, and arriving with no local currency at all.

A good starting point for most international destinations is: enough local currency to cover your first 24 hours of expenses — transport from the airport, your first meal, and small purchases. Beyond that, use cards for most spending and ATMs for occasional cash refills.

If your bank rewards you with cash-back bonuses for using foreign ATMs, the calculus changes. Without ATM fees, you can withdraw smaller amounts more frequently, keeping less cash on hand without penalty. If you are using a travel credit card with strong rewards, card spending pulls ahead of cash in cost-effectiveness.

Cash-Heavy Destinations

Japan: Despite rapid card expansion, cash remains important. Carry JPY 20,000–40,000 on arrival. Ramen shops with ticket machines, temple fees, rural ryokan, and local buses in smaller cities remain cash territory. Replenish at 7-Eleven ATMs.

Thailand: Card acceptance is concentrated in malls, hotel chains, and upscale restaurants. Street food, markets, and local transport require cash. Carry THB 3,000–5,000. ATM fees are high at THB 220 per withdrawal, so withdraw large amounts (THB 20,000–30,000) at once.

Vietnam: Predominantly cash. Cards work at international hotels and high-end restaurants in major cities only. Carry VND 2,000,000–3,000,000 and replenish at ATMs frequently.

Morocco: Cash dominates outside international hotels. Markets (souks), small restaurants, taxis, and guides expect cash. Carry MAD 1,000–2,000. ATMs are widely available in cities with fees of MAD 25–35 per withdrawal.

Egypt: Very cash-heavy. Cards accepted at international hotels and some upscale restaurants and shops. Carry EGP 2,000–4,000. USD and EUR are also widely accepted and sometimes preferred.

Cash-Light Destinations

United Kingdom: Cash is increasingly optional. Carry GBP 50–100. Card acceptance, including contactless, is near-universal. London’s transport is fully contactless. Even market stalls and small shops take cards.

Sweden, Norway, Denmark: Cash is nearly optional. Carry SEK/NOK/DKK 200–300 as a formality. You may complete an entire trip without touching physical money.

Australia: Overwhelmingly card-friendly. Carry AUD 50–100. Contactless payments are the default everywhere. Some cafes and market stalls are card-only.

Singapore: Almost cashless. Carry SGD 50–100. Most hawker centres now accept cards or mobile payments. The cashless transition is near-complete.

Canada: Cards dominate. Carry CAD 100. Contactless payments are universal. Farmers’ markets increasingly accept debit and credit.

Netherlands: Card-friendly but with a crucial quirk — some businesses only accept Dutch debit cards (Maestro/V-Pay), not credit cards. Carry EUR 50–100. A Wise or Revolut card often works where credit cards do not.

Mixed Destinations

United States: Card acceptance is near-universal in urban and suburban areas. Farmers’ markets and some very small independent businesses remain cash-only. Carry USD 100–200.

France: Cards are dominant. Small bakeries and markets may have EUR 5–10 minimums. Carry EUR 50–100.

Germany: The most cash-heavy Western European economy. Many traditional restaurants, bakeries, and beer gardens are cash-only. Carry EUR 100–200, more if visiting rural areas.

Italy: Cards work in most cities and tourist areas. Small rural businesses and some taxis prefer cash. Carry EUR 100–150.

Spain: Cards widely accepted. Carry EUR 100 for small purchases and rural areas.

Greece: Cards widely accepted post-capital-controls. Carry EUR 100 for remote areas.

Turkey: Cards work in Istanbul and tourist resorts. Cash preferred in smaller towns and markets. Carry TRY 1,000–2,000. ATMs charge low fees.

Mexico: Cards accepted in cities, resorts, and chain businesses. Small towns and markets require cash. Carry MXN 1,000–2,000.

South Africa: Cards widely accepted in cities and tourist areas. Petrol stations, rural areas, and small vendors prefer cash. Carry ZAR 500–1,000.

India: Cards growing rapidly (UPI is dominant domestically, but visitors cannot easily access it). Carry INR 5,000–10,000. USD is accepted at some tourist businesses but at unfavourable rates.

Bottom Line

The global trend is toward less cash and more cards. In 2026, most travellers can cover 70–90% of spending by card in developed destinations and 40–60% in developing ones. Bring enough local currency for your first 24 hours, then use cards for purchases and ATMs for cash refills. In cash-heavy destinations, withdraw large amounts to dilute ATM fees. In cash-light destinations, carry less cash and rely more on cards.

Last updated: July 2026. Cash recommendations are based on typical conditions and individual businesses may differ. ATM networks, card acceptance, and fee structures change. Currency amounts are approximate. This does not constitute financial advice.