credit cards in Copenhagen & Stockholm

[Can'tstopcruising]

I am trying to figure out how much cash to bring for our upcoming cruise.

 

I am especially thinking of Copenhagen and Stockholm because of their individual currencies.

 

From your experience, what would require cash?

 

The Rosenborg museum?

 

The canal boat ride?

 

Trams or buses?

 

Thanks

[MADflyer]

I sometimes visit both cites with absolutely no cash as cards are widely accepted.

 

You can virtually find a way to pay for everything with a card. Even small businesses are starting to have card payment systems tied to their mobile phones or with tablet applications.

 

The exceptions can be automated payments systems that do require a chip and pin code for payment. While non chip payments systems exist their communication sometimes fails as well, resulting in the need for cash payment.

 

Another obstacle can be that a card can be frozen when 2 transactions are made at the same location on the same card in a short period of time. I think a call to the credit card issuer prior to travel can help.

[hallasm]

The most common credit card in Copenhagen is VISA, but you should have no problem with Master Card and American Express as well.

Most places will add a 3% surcharge on foreign card transactions.

ATMs/cash machines will accept those cards. Bring your PIN code.

 

Rosenborg Castle and Canal tours both accept credit cards

 

PRICES

Rosenborg Castle is DKK 90,00 p.p.

 

Canal Tours - my recommendation is Netto Bådene - both Nettp Bådene and DFDS does offer the same 1 hour guided tour

Netto Bådene from HOLMENS CHURCH or Nyhavn is DKK 40,00 p.p.

DFDS from Gammel Strand or Nyhavn is DKK 75,00 p.p.

 

Public busses does not accept credit cards

2 zones DKK 24,00 p.p.

3 Zones DKK 36,00 p.p.

 

depending on where your ship does dock Rosenborg and the Canal Tours are within walking distance.

[Desdichado62]

Most places in Stockholm accept several types of credit & debit cards.

However you might need cash for public toilets and some smaller kiosks and food stalls.

 

Museums, restaurants, harbour ferries.. will accept credit cards.

However buses and trams only accepts pre-paid tickets&travel cards.

[LondonTowner]

I have a Mastercard credit card which makes no charges on foreign transactions. I used the card in both Copenhagen and Stockholm last year, even for small transactions. There was no problem at all and I didn't have any local currency.

[MADflyer]

If you make sure you have the charges posted to your account in DKK or SEK and not in your cards currency, you should avoid any local fees or poor conversion rates.

 

The question of whether you want a transaction posted in your home currency should be asked. I have now started stating that I want all charges posted in the local currency and not my cards currency prior to handing over my card.

 

If you then have a fee from your bank is another thing. I have switched to the United Airlines Chase card as they have no fees dollar card. These fees can now be avoided in most markets with planning.

[Can'tstopcruising]

Thank you all for your help.

 

Glad that the Canal tour takes credit cards. We took it years ago and I have in my notes that they only took cash.

 

I will see if I can get a little DEK today. If not, I think the ship bank will convert a few Euros for me (they did the last time, in 2005)

 

I think in Sweden, even the buses can be paid with credit cards. Here again, we probably will need a little cash.

 

Do you think $20 worth for each port (we are 2 people). I figure for water and buses.

[Desdichado62]

Thank you all for your help.

 

Glad that the Canal tour takes credit cards. We took it years ago and I have in my notes that they only took cash.

 

I will see if I can get a little DEK today. If not' date=' I think the ship bank will convert a few Euros for me (they did the last time, in 2005)

 

[b']I think in Sweden, even the buses can be paid with credit cards. Here again, we probably will need a little cash.[/b]

 

Do you think $20 worth for each port (we are 2 people). I figure for water and buses.

 

No, see my previous post. Buses and trams only accepts pre-paid tickets and travel cards. No cash or credit cards are accepted.

Edited July 14, 2014 by Desdichado62

[Can'tstopcruising]

No, see my previous post. Buses and trams only accepts pre-paid tickets and travel cards. No cash or credit cards are accepted.

 

But I can buy a ticket at the bus stop with my credit card, right?

[Crystal Cruiser 5000]

We were in Copenhagen 2 weeks ago and took the bus into town from the port (about 15 minute walk from ship to bus stop). The drivers definitely took cash, both coming and going. We didn't buy a pass since we were only using it twice.

 

Oh and by the way, there's a great self-guided tour of Rosenborg Castle in Rick Steves' Scandinavia book. Copy the pages before you go so you won't have to tote the book.

Edited July 14, 2014 by Crystal Cruiser 5000

[Desdichado62]

But I can buy a ticket at the bus stop with my credit card' date=' right?[/quote']

 

Most likely not. Very few bus stops have ticket machines.

 

Goto: http://sl.se/en/ and click sales point to find out where you can buy bus tickets.

[Can'tstopcruising]

Most likely not. Very few bus stops have ticket machines.

 

Goto: http://sl.se/en/ and click sales point to find out where you can buy bus tickets.

 

How long would it take to walk to the Vasa museum from the ship?

 

If we take a boat, can we pay on the boat.

 

Idon't think we will need an all day ticket because we like to walk.

[Desdichado62]

How long would it take to walk to the Vasa museum from the ship?

 

If we take a boat' date=' can we pay on the boat.

 

[i']Idon't think we will need an all day ticket because we like to walk.[/i]

 

It depends on where your ship docks.

 

From Frihamnen it is about 2.5km,

https://www.google.se/maps/dir/59.3429128,18.1187094/Vasamuseet,+Galärvarvsvägen+14,+115+21+Stockholm/@59.3356102,18.1006205,15z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d18.1181815!2d59.3414093!3s0x465f82b5dd1b7b65:0x9f5b14747c91ff36!1m5!1m1!1s0x465f9d546d8329af:0xcff09af1b4c13241!2m2!1d18.091693!2d59.328264!3e2

No other options, both buses and boats (Sjövägen) requires pre-paid tickets/cards.

 

From Stadsgårdskajen it is about 4.5km:

https://www.google.se/maps/dir/59.3429128,18.1187094/Vasamuseet,+Galärvarvsvägen+14,+115+21+Stockholm/@59.3356102,18.1006205,15z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d18.1181815!2d59.3414093!3s0x465f82b5dd1b7b65:0x9f5b14747c91ff36!1m5!1m1!1s0x465f9d546d8329af:0xcff09af1b4c13241!2m2!1d18.091693!2d59.328264!3e2

Other public transport option (except bus) is to buy a single way ticket for the HoHo boats' direct trip to Vasa in the morning.

 

If your ship moor at a buoy at Strömmen or at Skeppsbron the best way to get to Vasa is by going with Djurgårdsfärjan and then walk the remaining distance to Vasa.

https://www.google.se/maps/dir/Stockholm+Slussen+kajen/Vasamuseet,+Gal%C3%A4rvarvsv%C3%A4gen+14,+115+21+Stockholm/@59.3265832,18.0860689,15z/am=t/data=!3m1!4b1!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x465f77fccfb0f271:0x94cd8ffc9c79fd35!2m2!1d18.074621!2d59.3217!3m4!1m2!1d18.0794838!2d59.3213272!3s0x465f77fc2cca4e29:0x482c41eea6e4980c!1m5!1m1!1s0x465f9d546d8329af:0xcff09af1b4c13241!2m2!1d18.091693!2d59.328264!3e2

http://kartor.eniro.se/m/N4RzW

 

Walking distance is about 2.7Km.

https://www.google.se/maps/dir/Stockholm+Slussen+kajen/Vasamuseet,+Gal%C3%A4rvarvsv%C3%A4gen+14,+115+21+Stockholm/@59.3237534,18.0863478,15z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x465f77fccfb0f271:0x94cd8ffc9c79fd35!2m2!1d18.074621!2d59.3217!3m4!1m2!1d18.0760506!2d59.3237576!3s0x465f77fd363c7c3f:0x16c5cb7a84621336!1m5!1m1!1s0x465f9d546d8329af:0xcff09af1b4c13241!2m2!1d18.091693!2d59.328264!3e2

 

 

At both Frihamnen and Stadsgårdskajen there are possibilities to buy bus tickets which are sold by Stockholm visitor board.

[LondonTowner]

We docked in Frihammen and walked to the nearest bus stop to go into town, which was probably about a kilometre, or, maybe a bit more. There was a credit card machine at the bus stop which we used to buy our bus ticket.

 

We had an overnight stop in Stockholm, so bought the SL card for 24 hours unlimited use on public transport. It was good value for money and enabled us to use the buses, tram and ferry. We didn't have time to go on the Metro.

 

The bus from the dock area also took us very close to the Vasa Museum.

[Can'tstopcruising]

It depends on where your ship docks.

 

From Frihamnen it is about 2.5km,

https://www.google.se/maps/dir/59.3429128,18.1187094/Vasamuseet,+Galärvarvsvägen+14,+115+21+Stockholm/@59.3356102,18.1006205,15z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d18.1181815!2d59.3414093!3s0x465f82b5dd1b7b65:0x9f5b14747c91ff36!1m5!1m1!1s0x465f9d546d8329af:0xcff09af1b4c13241!2m2!1d18.091693!2d59.328264!3e2

No other options, both buses and boats (Sjövägen) requires pre-paid tickets/cards.

 

From Stadsgårdskajen it is about 4.5km:

https://www.google.se/maps/dir/59.3429128,18.1187094/Vasamuseet,+Galärvarvsvägen+14,+115+21+Stockholm/@59.3356102,18.1006205,15z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d18.1181815!2d59.3414093!3s0x465f82b5dd1b7b65:0x9f5b14747c91ff36!1m5!1m1!1s0x465f9d546d8329af:0xcff09af1b4c13241!2m2!1d18.091693!2d59.328264!3e2

Other public transport option (except bus) is to buy a single way ticket for the HoHo boats' direct trip to Vasa in the morning.

 

If your ship moor at a buoy at Strömmen or at Skeppsbron the best way to get to Vasa is by going with Djurgårdsfärjan and then walk the remaining distance to Vasa.

https://www.google.se/maps/dir/Stockholm+Slussen+kajen/Vasamuseet,+Gal%C3%A4rvarvsv%C3%A4gen+14,+115+21+Stockholm/@59.3265832,18.0860689,15z/am=t/data=!3m1!4b1!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x465f77fccfb0f271:0x94cd8ffc9c79fd35!2m2!1d18.074621!2d59.3217!3m4!1m2!1d18.0794838!2d59.3213272!3s0x465f77fc2cca4e29:0x482c41eea6e4980c!1m5!1m1!1s0x465f9d546d8329af:0xcff09af1b4c13241!2m2!1d18.091693!2d59.328264!3e2

http://kartor.eniro.se/m/N4RzW

 

Walking distance is about 2.7Km.

https://www.google.se/maps/dir/Stockholm+Slussen+kajen/Vasamuseet,+Gal%C3%A4rvarvsv%C3%A4gen+14,+115+21+Stockholm/@59.3237534,18.0863478,15z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x465f77fccfb0f271:0x94cd8ffc9c79fd35!2m2!1d18.074621!2d59.3217!3m4!1m2!1d18.0760506!2d59.3237576!3s0x465f77fd363c7c3f:0x16c5cb7a84621336!1m5!1m1!1s0x465f9d546d8329af:0xcff09af1b4c13241!2m2!1d18.091693!2d59.328264!3e2

 

 

At both Frihamnen and Stadsgårdskajen there are possibilities to buy bus tickets which are sold by Stockholm visitor board.

 

thank you so much for the helpful information.

[Giantfan13]

If you are heading to Vasa, best to try and secure some sort of transportation to get there as quickly as possible. Yes, it is walkable, but it would tale 40 minutes or so. I have also heard of people pre ordering a taxi and using that. Walking is fun, but when time is an issue, better to use the time more efficiently.

As was said, depending on where your ship docks, we can't give you definite travel plans as each has it's own way.

 

Cheers

 

Len

[dce85]

Just back from the Baltics. The only place we had problems was Denmark. I had $200 in Danish kroner and $200 in Swedish Kroners. We could not get the machine to recognize our credit card without a pin to buy the transportation pass when we first arrived so we had to cash a bill into coins to buy passes. Our card was declined at the restaurant where we ate and to pay for the taxi to the pier. (Discover card with PIN worked for the return trip.) In every other country, the vendors could hit an override button before swiping credit card which allowed them to simply use a signature. We did not find this to be the practice in Denmark. So we used up all our Danish kroner before we boarded the ship but had over $100 of Swedish left (which we used in Denmark on our last day). When credit cards are declined, any cash currency is accepted.

[sippican]

Although it is true that most places in the main tourist areas accept the traditional swipe and sign cards, we did have ours refused in two different grocery stores in Copenhagen two years ago. We now have a true chip and pin (not chip and sign) credit card. We found that on our trip to Switzerland and more recent journey to ports along the Danube, there were places (manned and unmanned) that would only accept our chip & pin card. The US is far behind in credit card technology and I anticipate this will become more of an issue for travelers as time passes.

[PhilipHF]

Beware American travelers... your magnetic strip credit card may not be accepted everywhere. Most restaurants and attractions in tourist area will except it, but not all. We had a problem buying a "Copenhagen Card" (all-day transit & museum card) at the Copenhagen airport using a magnetic-strip Visa.

 

A few US banks are offering "chip & signature" credit cards but no "chip & pin" cards are being offered... yet. I keep hearing that will happen here in a few years. US banks would rather keep paying for fraud than pay for the conversion to the (much more secure) chip & pin technology.

[jagoffee]

Beware American travelers... your magnetic strip credit card may not be accepted everywhere. Most restaurants and attractions in tourist area will except it, but not all. We had a problem buying a "Copenhagen Card" (all-day transit & museum card) at the Copenhagen airport using a magnetic-strip Visa.

 

A few US banks are offering "chip & signature" credit cards but no "chip & pin" cards are being offered... yet. I keep hearing that will happen here in a few years. US banks would rather keep paying for fraud than pay for the conversion to the (much more secure) chip & pin technology.

 

Just to confirm the US based chip cards are all chip and signature and do not require a PIN?

Thanks

Edited July 30, 2014 by jagoffee

[sippican]

Just to confirm the US based chip cards are all chip and signature and do not require a PIN?

Thanks

 

There are some (few) US true chip & pin cards. We have one from USAA. There are also banks that will tell you their card is chip & pin, when it is a chip & signature. They wil assign you a pin, but it is only good to use at the ATMs. You may use one of these cards and never encounter an issue until you are confronted with a machine (or store) that will not accept your card. Our friends made it all the way down the Danube, using their new card in many places. It was not until the last day when they tried to purchase metro cards in Budapest that they realized their card wouldn't work as a chip & pin.

[Desdichado62]

An article about the cashlessness in Stockholm/Sweden: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/11/welcome-sweden-electronic-money-not-so-funny?CMP=twt_gu

Edited November 12, 2014 by Desdichado62