Is changing cash now becoming the best MSE option?

flaneurs_lobster

Work it out, you used "BdeC counters" in another post 😄(Bureau de Change in case anyone still hasn't got it)

DOH!

Mands

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6675921/is-changing-cash-now-becoming-the-best-mse-option

Out of interest, where in Cyprus did you need cash?

zagfles

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82066690#Comment_82066690

Buses only take cash. Some shops will give a discount for cash. Also tips, there's sometimes an option on the POS device to add a tip but even where there is the waiters often press 0, I know you don't really need to tip but sometimes I think it's worth a small tip. Also apparently taxis often claim the card machine is "broken", although we didn't take any taxis.

Mands

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82066738#Comment_82066738

Buses! Of course.

Taxi drivers with a 'broken meter' are scammers until proven otherwise. I always tip on the card in restaurants. If they've already zero-d the tip option they are happy to cancel and redo the transaction to allow the tip to be added. The default option is usually set to 10%.

Beaches are the only place I've used cash in 2026, oh and roadside frappe vendors. But I notice the bigger beaches have started to implement cashless options. Makenzy in Larnaca and Poseidon at Ayia Thekla both have that option as of this summer.

J_B

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82066690#Comment_82066690

We have a house in Paphos Cyprus - a couple of years ago our 'island wide' insurance company offered a discount for cash as their card fees were too high!

J_B

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6675921/is-changing-cash-now-becoming-the-best-mse-option

You will find that, certainly in Paphos, Cyprus, there are an abundance of 'blue and yellow' ATM machines that charge a high fee for with withdrawing cash - however, in my experience, if you go to a bank ATM, there are none of these fees.

silverwhistle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82066810#Comment_82066810

There's a shop in Paphos which my sister who live there uses: not a formal FX place but gives very good rates, so local knowledge is often useful.

I'm popping off to Italy soon and I just top up using my bank card and local bank ATMs without charges, which I find the best solution if not using CC for larger purchases. Just had an email from Smile that they're removing the 2.75% FX charge, so that'll be helpful. It would be a mistake to assume everybody takes cards, local markets to add to the list of examples, and appreciated in other situations, particularly for smaller transactions. Plus you can always try 'sconto per contanti?' with a smile..

zagfles

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82066773#Comment_82066773

All the beaches we went to took cards, we were in the east, Ayia Napa area. Thought we might need some cash in the Turkish part but they mostly took cards too. Or GBP.

But the most useful reason for having cash is in the shops, bought a few t-shirts, souvenirs etc and as usual when shopping for such stuff tried negotiating a discount, usual reply was "we can give you a discount for cash".

zagfles

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82066810#Comment_82066810

I did try a proper bank ATM, can't remember which bank, but even that wanted to charge about 5EUR. I always avoid Euronet etc.

Brie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82066577#Comment_82066577

I can't remember the rate but it was enhanced with use of my Nectar card. I have got money out of an ATM in the past but I knew where we were going and remembered it was a pain to get an ATM to work last time.

I've found that the difference in rates is minimal and for a relatively small amount what might be saved isn't worth making too big an effort.