Cash or card in Amsterdam — what do locals actually use?

Card is the default in Amsterdam — locals tap their debit card (pin-pas) for almost everything, including a single stroopwafel at a market stall. The Dutch banking system runs on Maestro and V Pay, so a Visa or Mastercard debit card with contactless works everywhere; credit cards are less universally accepted than you might expect, and some restaurants and smaller shops decline them outright or add a surcharge. Albert Heijn supermarkets, the GVB trams and metro, and most café-restaurants all operate card-first, often card-only. The outdoor Albert Cuypmarkt still has cash-only vendors, and a few brown cafes (bruine kroegen) in the Jordaan and De Pijp prefer it. Withdraw euros from a GWK Travelex or an ING/ABN AMRO ATM rather than the independent machines near Centraal Station, which charge punishing fees. Carrying 50 euros in cash covers the edge cases; beyond that, your card handles Amsterdam without friction.

Trip Friend knows Amsterdam cold.

Plan a real trip there, and Trip Friend can answer every follow-up — with your dates, your style, and your places baked into the conversation.

• Where do locals actually go for aperitivo in Amsterdam?
• Where do locals drink coffee in Amsterdam?
• What does a local breakfast look like in Amsterdam?
• Where is the street food in Amsterdam actually good?
• Where can I eat after midnight in Amsterdam?
• How do I get from the airport to the city in Amsterdam?