Cash or Card? Advice from a UK Traveller
I’ve just come back from a trip to Australia, and the honest answer is that you can get by mostly using cards. Even so, I was still glad I took some Australian dollars with me as a backup.
Australia is one of the easiest places I’ve visited for card payments. Visa and Mastercard were accepted almost everywhere, and contactless payment was completely normal. I used my card for coffees in Sydney, taxis in Melbourne, meals out, shops, hotels and even small cafés. In most places, paying felt no different from being in the UK.
I used a Wise debit card for most of my spending and had no problems. It worked smoothly, and I liked knowing that I was using a travel card designed for overseas spending rather than being caught by avoidable foreign transaction charges every time I tapped.
Should you take cash to Australia?
There were still a few occasions when cash was useful. Some smaller businesses preferred it, particularly away from the main city centres. I also found Australian dollar notes handy for local markets, small purchases and the odd situation where a card terminal was not convenient.
My advice is simple: do not take your entire holiday budget in cash, but do take a small amount of Australian dollars as backup.
For most UK travellers, I would suggest taking a few hundred Australian dollars. That should be enough to cover small expenses without leaving you to carry around a wallet full of cash that you are unlikely to need.
Is Australia cashless?
Australia is not completely cashless, but cards and contactless payments are widely accepted. In Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Fremantle, I found that paying by card was usually the easiest option. Cash was useful occasionally rather than essential every day.
Is it expensive to use ATMs in Australia?
Some Australian ATMs charge a flat withdrawal fee. Your UK bank or card provider may also charge a foreign cash withdrawal fee or use a less competitive exchange rate, so it is worth checking your card terms before travelling.
Where possible, I used bank-operated ATMs rather than independent machines in tourist areas. Independent ATMs can be more expensive, so check the fee shown on screen before confirming a withdrawal.
Taking a modest amount of Australian dollars before you travel can reduce the need to use an ATM immediately after arrival. I would then withdraw extra cash only if I genuinely needed it.
Watch out for card surcharges in Australia
I saw some restaurants and hotels adding a card surcharge, particularly for credit cards or American Express. The fee was usually shown clearly, but it is still something to watch.
A small percentage may not look significant on one coffee, but repeated card fees on meals, hotels and trips can add up over a longer holiday. Check the payment screen and receipt rather than tapping on autopilot.
Always pay in Australian dollars, not pounds
If a card machine or ATM asks whether you want to pay in pounds or Australian dollars, choose Australian dollars (AUD).
Paying in pounds may sound helpful, but it usually means the retailer or ATM operator is converting the payment through dynamic currency conversion. Its exchange rate may be worse than the rate used by your own card provider.
The simple rule is: when you are in Australia, pay in AUD, not GBP.
Can you use a UK debit card in Australia?
Yes. UK-issued Visa and Mastercard debit cards are generally accepted in Australia, although the cost depends on your bank. Before travelling, check whether your card charges a foreign transaction fee, an overseas cash withdrawal fee, or both. A fee free or low fee travel debit card can be useful, but I would still carry a separate backup card.
How much cash should you take to Australia?
There is no need to carry your full spending budget in cash. For my trip, the sensible combination was a few hundred Australian dollars, a travel-friendly debit card and a backup card. The precise amount depends on the length of your trip and whether you plan to visit rural areas, markets or smaller businesses.
In summary: cash or card in Australia?
Australia is easy for card payments, and I would not worry about needing large amounts of cash. I would, however, take some Australian dollars with me.
My approach would be:
• a few hundred Australian dollars in cash
• a fee-free or low-fee travel debit card
• a backup credit or debit card
• a clear rule to pay in Australian dollars, not pounds
That gives you the convenience of cards, with enough cash for the occasions when paying by card is not ideal.
So, do you need cash in Australia? Not much, but yes, I would still take some.
Graham Pilkington, Director at besttravelmoney.com
January 2026