COVID Cash or Card? Answered Thanks.

[George Vancouver]

To those currently on the Camino, is everything still pretty much cash-based or have merchants and albergues switched to non-cash transactions because of Covid?

 

[trecile]

Check out this recent thread

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/cash-on-the-camino-covid.70328/#post-928376

@LTfit says that they paid cash everywhere.

 

[George Vancouver]

Check out this recent thread

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/cash-on-the-camino-covid.70328/#post-928376

@LTfit says that they paid cash everywhere.

Thanks.

 

[arobins]

I plan on taking cash/euros and credit cards. If I need more cash I’ll go to an ATM. I’ve booked some pensions/hostels already with my CC.

 

[ivar]

In Santiago (and I think bigger cities in general) tap and pay cards (Apple pay and so on) is used mucho more now. Even for small purchases..

 

[lisaflora]

To those currently on the Camino, is everything still pretty much cash-based or have merchants and albergues switched to non-cash transactions because of Covid?

I am on Norte ....very hard to exchange dollars..most banks now say you must have an acct or thyeveont have a caja. I wind up pulling cash off my debit or credit card (watch cash advance fee). I use credit card for all purchases in stores, restaurants, and even most albergues. Very few require cash but you must always have some euro

 

[trecile]

I am on Norte ....very hard to exchange dollars..most banks now say you must have an acct or thyeveont have a caja

I believe that has been the situation for a number of years.
I use my Charles Schwab debit card to withdraw Euros - they rebate all ATM fees.

 

[Marbe2]

I use cards with zero conversion charges. Always pay in Euros not dollars.