Cash or card in Copenhagen — what do locals actually use?
Card, almost exclusively. Copenhagen is one of the most cashless cities on earth, and you can go an entire week without touching a krone. Danes pay by Dankort (the national debit card) or contactless Visa and Mastercard everywhere from Netto supermarkets to the smallest smørrebrød lunch counter. Apple Pay and Google Pay work reliably across the city. The Metro, buses, and S-tog trains all accept contactless payment directly at validators — no ticket machine required. Street food stalls at Reffen and Torvehallerne are card-only at most vendors. Some older cafés in Nørrebro or Vesterbro may post a small minimum for card purchases, typically 50 DKK, but cash refusals are now legally restricted, so major retailers cannot turn away physical currency entirely. Bring a card with no foreign transaction fees, keep maybe 200 DKK in your pocket for the rare exception, and don't waste airport time at a currency exchange booth.
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