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

Card, overwhelmingly. London has been effectively cashless for years, and most locals tap their contactless bank card or phone for nearly everything — Tube fares, coffee, pub rounds, market stalls, taxis. The Oyster card still works on TfL, but a contactless debit or credit card does exactly the same job at the same price, so most residents just use that. Smaller independent restaurants and a handful of market vendors occasionally run cash-only, but they're the exception and usually post a sign. ATMs are plentiful around high streets and tube stations if you do need notes. The one practical note: foreign cards sometimes trigger fees on every transaction, so check your bank's policy before relying on it exclusively. A Wise or Revolut card solves that cleanly and costs nothing to set up. Carry £20 tucked away as backup, but you can realistically go days in central London without touching it.

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• Where do locals actually go for aperitivo in London?
• Where do locals drink coffee in London?
• What does a local breakfast look like in London?
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• How do I get from the airport to the city in London?