Money, payment & tipping

Yes, payment cards are widely accepted, but this varies somewhat according to region:

Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland): Most restaurants, hotels, shops, taxis and public transport accept payment cards, with VISA and MasterCard being the most widely accepted. American Express (AMEX) may not be accepted everywhere.

Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania): VISA and MasterCard are commonly accepted in hotels, restaurants and stores. American Express (AMEX) has a very limited acceptance in the region. Taxis may not accept card payments.

Please be sure to bring your PIN code and a valid ID when using your card. The PIN code is often required when using the card in shops and restaurants. 

We recommend informing your bank about your travel plans in advance in order to prevent your credit card provider from blocking your card on suspicion of fraud when it is used abroad. In some cases, credit cards may still be blocked automatically even when the bank is informed, so we recommend bringing more than one form of payment.

VISA, MasterCard, Eurocard, American Express (AMEX) and Diners Club are the most widely accepted credit cards. Please note that some smaller stores/supermarkets do not accept foreign credit cards, although they accept foreign debit cards. When in doubt, please ask before shopping. In the Nordic countries, PIN codes are commonly required for all credit and debit cards.

It is no longer common to use cash for goods and services in the Nordic countries. Even smaller purchases, such as a bottle of water, can be paid for by credit or debit card in most shops.

However, having a small amount of local currency can be useful, e.g. for luggage lockers, small vendors or in remote areas. For most purchases, you can rely on your card, but carrying a little cash is recommended for convenience.

In addition to credit/debit cards, mobile payments have also become increasingly popular in the Nordic countries.

Norway = Norwegian kroner (NOK)

Sweden = Swedish kronor (SEK)

Denmark = Danish kroner (DKK)  

Iceland = Icelandic kronur (ISK)

Finland = Euro (EUR)

Estonia = Euro (EUR)

Latvia = Euro (EUR)

Lithuania = Euro (EUR)

The different currencies generally cannot be used across the country borders.

Euros and US Dollars might be accepted at bigger hotel chains in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland, but otherwise non-local currency is not commonly accepted. 

Please check http://www.xe.com for today’s exchange rate. Note that your bank/credit card provider may charge a conversion fee on top of the exchange rate.

ATMs are widely available in cities, towns and airports across the Nordic and Baltic countries. Remote areas and some smaller towns or villages, such as Abisko in northern Sweden, may have limited ATM access. Your bank may charge a service or exchange fee for withdrawals, but these are generally lower than exchanging money at home.

Tipping in the Nordic and Baltic countries is not mandatory, as service charges and taxes are usually included in the price at restaurants, hotels and for other services. However, it is appreciated if you receive exceptional service.

• Restaurants: In both the Nordics and the Baltics, it is common to round up the bill or leave about 5–10% in cash for excellent service.

• Bar staff or café servers may not expect tips, though rounding up small amounts is appreciated.

• Taxi drivers rarely expect tips, but rounding up the fare is a polite gesture.

• Guides and drivers (escorted tours): €4–€6 per day for a tour guide and €1–€2 per day for the driver is considered reasonable for guided tours.

In short, tipping is always optional, and the amount is at your discretion.

Here you can find some more information on tipping etiquette in different countries.