In many countries you pay for almost everything on holiday by card or phone. Even so, some cash is never a bad idea: for the taxi from the airport, the little beach bar, a tip or the market stall without a card reader. The question is how much you need and how to get it most cheaply.
How much cash?
There is no fixed amount. It depends on the country, how you travel and how much you like paying by card.
| Destination | How important is cash? |
|---|---|
| Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia | Not very, cards almost everywhere, a little cash for small bars |
| Greece | Medium, often cash on the islands and in tavernas |
| Turkey | Medium, cash is worth having in bazaars and with traders |
| Egypt | High, many expenses and tips in cash |
| Morocco, Tunisia | High, much is cash only, currency usually only available locally |
| USA | Not very, cards are usual, cash for tips |
| Thailand | Medium to high, cash at markets and small restaurants |
Take a small amount for the first one or two days, in small notes. Get the rest at your destination.
Exchange beforehand or withdraw locally?
The cheapest option is usually a cash machine at your destination, with a card that charges no or low fees abroad. Before asking a bank in Germany to order foreign currency, compare the costs. Bureaux de change at airports and in tourist areas often have poor rates.
For some countries, such as Morocco or Tunisia, you may not import or export the currency at all, or only in small amounts. There you exchange or withdraw money after arrival.
Cash machine fees
Many cash machines abroad charge their own fee, which is shown before you withdraw. So it is better to withdraw larger amounts less often than small amounts every day. Machines at bank branches are usually cheaper and safer than free-standing ones in tourist areas. How much your own bank charges is shown by the calculator in our article Paying by card abroad.
Keeping cash safe
Split your money: one part stays in the hotel safe, one part you carry with you, and an emergency reserve goes somewhere else in your luggage. When you are out, only carry the money you need for the day. If your wallet goes missing, not everything is lost.
Limits when entering a country
If you travel to or return from a country outside the EU with €10,000 or more in cash, you must declare it to customs. Many other countries also have limits above which you must declare cash. For normal holidays this hardly matters.
In short
- Small starting amount: for the first one or two days.
- Withdraw locally: with a card without high foreign fees.
- Choose the local currency: never let the machine convert into euros.
- Small notes: for tips and markets.
flug-123.de editorial team, updated 10 November 2026. We review our guides regularly. Rules can change. If in doubt, the details in your booking apply.
