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

Card, almost exclusively. Stockholm is one of the most cashless cities on earth, and you will go entire days without seeing anyone pay with notes. Tap-to-pay is the default at cafés, restaurants, bars, transit, museums, and market stalls. The SL transit system accepts contactless cards directly at validators, so you don't need cash or even a separate transit card. A handful of older church collections and the occasional street musician aside, there is essentially no situation in central Stockholm where cash is expected or preferred. Bring a Visa or Mastercard with no foreign transaction fees — Amex is accepted at most larger venues but occasionally refused at smaller spots. Apple Pay and Google Pay work nearly everywhere that accepts contactless. Withdrawing Swedish kronor at an ATM is not worth the trouble unless you're heading to a very rural area far outside the city. Your card will handle everything.

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