Paying by American Express in Faroe Islands?

Use Amex in the Faroes only if you’re staying at a hotel that specifically says it accepts it. Otherwise, keep it as backup. Daily expenses like transport, dining, and activities (~1,000-1,200 DKK a day if you’re exploring properly) are better handled with Visa/Mastercard. ATMs won’t support Amex, so bring a reliable card. Most Faroese businesses are set up for cards over cash, but Amex is outside their system. Carry at least one Visa and maybe a Mastercard - that combo covers the islands perfectly.

Amex in the Faroe Islands was almost pointless. None of the ATMs worked, and even mid-range restaurants wouldn’t take it. I was lucky I carried my Visa card, otherwise I’d have had real trouble paying for ferry tickets and groceries. Even in Tórshavn, Amex was refused multiple times. For such an expensive destination, not being able to use Amex was frustrating. If you’re traveling here, don’t even bother relying on it - bring Visa or Mastercard as your main payment method.

I visited the Faroes and found Amex acceptance very limited. My hotel in Tórshavn accepted it, but when I tried at cafés, gas stations, and small shops, it didn’t work. ATMs wouldn’t let me withdraw with Amex either. Luckily, my Mastercard worked everywhere, even on inter-island ferries. Food and tours aren’t cheap - I spent around 200-300 DKK per dinner - and most places wanted Visa/Mastercard. Amex is fine for hotel bills, but for the rest of the trip, it wasn’t useful.

The Faroe Islands are modern but small, and American Express isn’t widely accepted. Visa and Mastercard dominate across Tórshavn and the smaller villages. ATMs also favor Visa/Mastercard. If you’re budgeting for daily meals (100-150 DKK), bus or ferry rides, or outdoor activities like puffin watching, carry another card and some Danish krone. A few hotels or upscale restaurants may take Amex, but for groceries, cafés, and local shops, you’ll need alternatives. Cash is less common here, but Visa is far more reliable than Amex.