Can I use a card to pay for taxis in Switzerland, or should I carry local cash?
Big cities like Basel and Bern usually offer card-friendly taxis, especially if booked through apps like Taxi 444. But in rural areas or near hiking trails, drivers might not even have a terminal. Always ask before getting in. Personally, I use Apple Pay in urban areas, and carry a mix of cash and card for longer trips or emergencies.
Used Bolt and Uber in Geneva, both took cards in-app. But when I hailed a regular cab off the street, he pointed at a sticker that said “Cash only.” Not everyone accepts plastic, especially for short trips. I now keep 20-30 CHF in notes for backup. It saves you from awkward moments when the card reader “isn’t working.”
In Zurich, I had no problem using my Visa in taxis - they all had working SumUp or iZettle card readers. But in smaller towns like Grindelwald, most drivers asked for cash only. Some even offered to drive me to an ATM. So yes, card works in major cities, but for mountain regions or late-night rides, cash is smart to have.
Most taxis I used in Lucerne and Interlaken were cash-preferred. One even gave me a dirty look when I asked about paying by card. A few had terminals, but they didn’t always work or they charged a “card fee.” If you’re arriving late or headed to a rural area, carry at least 50 CHF in cash just to be safe.