When Do You Need Cash In Amsterdam?

Amsterdam, and the entire Netherlands, is very card friendly and contactless is the way they expect to pay. Most of the time credit cards, including contactless and Apple Pay / Google Pay, is all that's needed. I took about € 100 with me and would have taken it all back home had I not made the effort to spend some of it. But, there is one big exception.
Table of contents

• Do you need cash for the Public Transport?
• Where accepts cards in Amsterdam?
• Do you need cash for the Red Light District??
• What currency do I need in Amsterdam?

Do you need cash for the Public Transport?

No. You just need a contactless card, which includes Google Pay or Apple Pay, and as you board or leave your mode of transport you simple tap on and off to register your journey. You will each need a different card, but if you only have 1 account you can have Apple / Google pay from that one account on each phone. The system at Schipol Airport is slightly different, see our Schipol to City guide for details.

Where accepts cards in Amsterdam?

Almost everywhere! We really struggled to pay for anything in cash, but then we weren't spending in the Red Light district. Even paying a tip in a really good restaurant (Bistrot Amsterdam) the tip could have been added to the card payment. However I was keen to use some cash!

We chose a prepaid walk - if you choose a free walk with tip afterwards that's about the only time I could have imagined needing cash. Even for bottles of water and small snacks in the local stores cards were fine.

Do you need cash for the Red Light District?

If you are visiting the Red Light District for more than a walk around and intending to visit a 'window' then these are cash only. From what I saw they are the only cash-only establishments in the city.

What currency do I need in Amsterdam?

Euros... That simple, you will just need Euros and plenty of them in Munich. A credit card for those one off just in case moments, but Euros are your biggest friend. You'll find notes for €5, €10, €20, €50 and more with coins from 1c to 2 Euros.