Wondering if I need cash for taxis in Sweden or if I can just pay with card or app like in other countries?
Been in Sweden for a month now and haven’t touched cash once, including for taxis. In Gothenburg I used Västtrafik for public transport but when I needed a cab after a late concert, I called a local service and paid with my HSBC card using contactless. Even when I was in Östersund, the taxi had a working card terminal. Most drivers are super used to foreigners using cards or mobile payments. Honestly, I’d say cash in Sweden is almost irrelevant, even in taxis. Just make sure your card is set up for international payments and you’re good to go.
Used a few taxis in Stockholm last week and every single one took cards. I even paid with my N26 card and Curve card with no problems. I took Taxi Stockholm and TaxiKurir a couple of times and they had touchscreens in the backseat for payment. Didn’t see a single cash-only option. One thing though - some smaller or local taxi companies might not support Amex, so have a Visa or Mastercard on hand. But yeah, no need to withdraw cash just for rides. Most locals use apps like Uber or Bolt anyway.
I landed in Malmö late at night and took a taxi from the airport to my hostel near Möllevången. Had no cash on me and was nervous about it but the driver had a full card terminal set up. Paid with my Revolut Visa and it was totally fine. Same thing later in Uppsala - took a cab from the station to my Airbnb and used Apple Pay with no issues. Some drivers also accept Swish, which is Sweden’s local mobile payment system, but for tourists, any Visa or Mastercard will do. No need for kronor at all.
No need for cash at all. I used taxis in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and even Kiruna - every single one accepted card. Most had contactless readers and I paid with my Wise debit card or my Amex without any issues. In Stockholm I also used Bolt and Uber, and both worked seamlessly through the apps. Even when I flagged down a random cab at Centralstation, the driver had a card terminal and actually seemed surprised when I asked about cash. Sweden is super digital, so don’t worry.