Travelers Warned: Cash Still King Abroad Despite Cashless Trend

As of November 13th, 2025, many travelers have stopped carrying cash altogether, with shops, restaurants, and transport providers becoming increasingly cashless. However, according to travel experts, it is still wise to have a small amount of cash on hand when traveling abroad.

A recent survey by the website Be Clever With Your Cash found that 39% of respondents reported unexpected situations where physical cash was essential during their travels. The research revealed that cash was most often required for tipping, paying for taxi journeys, and shopping at smaller, independent retailers.

While prepaid travel cards and online banking have made it more convenient to use contactless payments, travelers who find themselves without cash in a moment of need could end up paying extra. A survey by Opinium found that some people who had to make an emergency cash machine withdrawal on their last trip overseas were charged an ATM fee. Others reported turning to airport exchange desks for last-minute cash, even though they may have received a worse deal than if they had shopped around for their travel money.

To help travelers, there is a handy currency conversion tool built into the calculator app on iPhones and iPads. This feature, which was introduced with the iOS 18 update last September, allows users to easily convert currencies while on the go.