You're going to Belgium Austria and Switzerland for a week Apart from some local currency do you pay

Gobsh

You're going to Belgium Austria and Switzerland for a week

Apart from some local currency for gifts, do you pay mainly by currency or card?

JosephK

Credit card, make sure it's a fee-free one, e.g. Barclaycard Rewards, Halifax Clarity. Accepted just about everywhere and saves carrying wodge of cash

eDicky

Why would local currency be needed for gifts in particular? You mean for gifts of money to someone..?

Mr_Blue52

I suggest using one of the cards mentioned above.

If you want to use cash, then you need to get francs as well as Euros. Switzerland still use francs & personally I feel it would be a hassle & using a credit card would be easier. 

However, you may need cash if the retailer does not accept credit cards. 

michele-p

I would usually use mainly card on holiday, we have a fee free clarity card and a barclaycard.  But in Austria be aware some places may ask for cash. It was more likely in Germany on our road trip, we saw lots of signs to say  "card reader broken" maybe to save their card fees? I also ski every winter, cash is usually preferred on the mountain in Austria.

jbrassy

Card every time. I use Barclaycard Rewards for spending, and if I need to withdraw cash, I use Starling Bank. I never take cash with me, just withdraw it when I'm there. You get a much better rate using a card. 

Doshwaster

jbrassy said:

Card every time. I use Barclaycard Rewards for spending, and if I need to withdraw cash, I use Starling Bank. I never take cash with me, just withdraw it when I'm there. You get a much better rate using a card. 

The only cash I take with me is any I have left over from a previous trip. Haven't changed money in the UK for at least 10 years.

Acceptance of cards does vary across Europe. In Scandinavia, it's virtually cash free. Germany has been more reluctant to change so you will still see a lot of cash in use. Some places in the Netherlands can be picky about which cards the accept where for historic reasons Visa isn't as common as Mastercard. 

Gobsh

eDicky said:

Why would local currency be needed for gifts in particular? You mean for gifts of money to someone..?

Well at least you got my edit because original it said "Apart from some local currency for girls" 😁