It used to be that travel meant planning around cash—figuring out how much to exchange, where to get it, and what to do with leftover coins. But things have shifted fast. In a lot of places, you can now go days, even weeks, without needing to pull out a single bill.
Digital payments—whether it’s with a phone, watch, or just tapping a card—have become the new normal. If you’re looking to skip the hassle of foreign currency altogether, here are 17 countries where you can travel easily without cash.
Sweden
Sweden might be the closest approximation to a fully cashless country. Most shops, restaurants, and even public toilets don’t take bills anymore—it’s all cards and mobile apps like Swish. Even food trucks and market stalls are set up to scan and go. Locals barely remember the last time they used coins, and visitors catch on quickly.
You could go a full trip here and never once need a trip to the ATM.
Norway
In Norway, carrying cash is more of a backup plan than a necessity. You can use your card for just about anything—coffee, groceries, taxis, even ferries in the fjords. Most places don’t expect you to have cash, and some won’t take it at all. Locals rely on tap-to-pay and mobile apps, and you won’t feel out of place doing the same.
It’s smooth, modern, and one less thing to think about when you’re traveling.
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Finland
Finland keeps things simple. Just tap your card or use your phone—no coins, no stress. Whether you’re in a busy Helsinki café or grabbing snacks at a small-town gas station, digital payments are the norm.
Markets and events usually have card readers ready to go. Most travelers find they don’t even need to bother getting local currency.
Denmark
In Denmark, you’ll rarely see people paying with cash anymore. Restaurants, shops, trains—just tap and you’re done. Many places no longer keep change on hand, so a card or mobile wallet is expected.
Even bakeries and food stands make it easy to go cashless. For travelers, that means fewer logistics and more time enjoying the city.
Netherlands
The Dutch don’t waste time with cash if they don’t have to. Tap-to-pay is everywhere, from bikes to bakeries to the train station. In some places, a card is the only option—they don’t even want to deal with paper bills.
Grocery stores, museums, and cafés are all ready for contactless. It’s a clean, no-fuss system that makes travel a little easier.
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United Kingdom
If you’re heading to the UK, you won’t need to worry about cash unless you really want it. London’s transit system is fully contactless, and even small-town pubs take cards. Most restaurants offer digital tipping, and kiosks often don’t have coin slots at all.
The move to cashless has been fast, and most places are completely on board. Just tap and carry on.
Canada
Canada feels like second nature for anyone used to paying with a phone or card. Nearly everywhere accepts contactless—from fast food to local taxis to farmers’ markets. Even rural towns are on board with digital payments. Public transit systems in cities like Toronto and Vancouver are built for cards and apps.
It’s easy to travel around without thinking twice about cash.
Singapore
Singapore runs like a well-oiled machine, and that includes how people pay. Locals use PayNow or a card for just about everything, and tourists have no trouble fitting in. Hawker centers, vending machines, and even public transit are all tap-friendly. QR codes are everywhere and super easy to use.
You’ll be surprised how fast you forget about coins altogether.
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Australia
Australia has been easing out of cash for years now. In Sydney or Melbourne, nearly everything is contactless—from buses to bottle shops. Smaller towns have followed suit, and even outdoor markets often take cards.
Tipping is usually done digitally, too, so you’re not stuck trying to break a big bill. Traveling here without cash is effortless.
New Zealand
New Zealand keeps things user-friendly for travelers. Credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay work nearly everywhere—city or the countryside. Ferries, shops, attractions—they’re all ready for digital payments.
You might want a little cash in your back pocket just in case, but most people never need it. The whole country runs on tap-to-pay.
South Korea
South Korea is quick, clean, and very card-friendly. Most places—from small diners to huge malls—have card readers. Locals use apps like KakaoPay, but your Visa or Mastercard will work in almost all the same spots. Transit cards are easy to get and reload digitally.
It’s one of the most convenient places to explore without needing any cash at all.
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Japan
Japan once relied heavily on cash, but not anymore—especially in big cities. You can use Suica or Pasmo cards for way more than trains now, and most chain restaurants and shops take credit cards. Mobile payments and QR codes are becoming more common, too.
You’ll still want some cash if you’re headed way off the grid, but in Tokyo or Kyoto, you’ll mostly just tap and go. The country has adapted fast.
Switzerland
Switzerland’s reputation for precision shows in its payment system too. Most places—from ski lifts to corner bakeries—take contactless cards and digital wallets. People rarely use cash here, and businesses are set up to keep things quick. You won’t need to stop at an ATM unless you’re going somewhere extremely remote.
The whole setup makes travel easier and faster.
Germany
Germany used to be one of the few places in Europe that clung to cash. But in the last few years, things have shifted. Now, most cities offer contactless options in restaurants, transit, shops—you name it.
There are still a few smaller spots where cash comes in handy, but it’s no longer essential. Berlin, Munich, and other major cities now feel just as digital as anywhere else.
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Iceland
In Iceland, everything works with a card. You can tap to pay for coffee, whale-watching tours, even bathrooms in national parks. Locals have gone fully digital, and visitors are expected to do the same. Even gas stations and souvenir shops in remote towns are set up for contactless.
It’s one of the easiest places in the world to forget cash even exists.
China
China’s digital system is in a league of its own. Locals use apps like WeChat Pay or Alipay for everything—from meals to taxis to rent. Until recently, tourists were left out—but now, those apps let visitors link their foreign cards.
QR codes are everywhere, and they’re fast and reliable. As long as you get your payment set sorted, you won’t need a single bill the entire time.
United Arab Emirates
In the UAE, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, paying without cash is the norm. Whether you’re using public transit, grabbing groceries, or dining out, everything is contactless. Locals rely on cards or phones, and tourists are expected to do the same.
Shops and restaurants are fully equipped for digital, and tipping is usually done through the payment terminal. It’s a smooth, easy place to move through with just your phone.
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When Less Really Is More
You don’t need to carry a wad of local bills to travel smart anymore. In these countries, the shift to digital payments isn’t just happening—it’s already done. That means you spend less time figuring out coins and more time actually enjoying your trip. With just a card or mobile wallet, you can move freely, eat well, and experience more.
Sometimes, lighter pockets make for smoother travel.
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