The world is going digital, but cash is still king in many top travel destinations – and it pays to arrive with local currency in hand.In smaller, rural areas, cafés, shops and markets may only accept local currency – for example, across Morocco around 90 per cent of purchases are made using cash.By using cash, travellers can stick to their budget, have a reliable form of backup, and avoid unexpected fees when settling souvenir purchases, restaurant bills or taxi fares.For those who do arrive at their destination unprepared, a hasty trip to the ATM can cost hundreds of pounds due to hidden fees, poor exchange rates and ‘trick’ prompts to make you pay more.One of the biggest culprits is Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), where the ATM offers to handle the conversion into your home currency, often applying a terrible exchange rate.Laura Evans-Fisk, head of digital & engagement at Eurochange, said: ‘Wherever you’re travelling, it’s a good rule of thumb to take slightly more cash than you expect to need, as relying on ATM withdrawals will eat into your holiday budget.’This is because overseas ATM providers will often charge for using their machine and offer unfavourable exchange rates, on top of the foreign transaction and withdrawal fees typically charged by UK banks for each transaction. This can put you several pounds out of pocket each time you use an ATM.’With nearly 30 per cent of travellers still relying on card for international purchases, we reveal ten destinations that still rely on cash – and how much an ATM withdrawal there will really cost you.Albania In Albania, visitors using ATMs to withdraw cash could be charged as much as £7.20Albania is generally a cash-reliant nation, especially in smaller, rural areas outside major cities.While credit and debit cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants and shops across Tirana, Durrës, and Vlorë, the local currency, Albanian lek (ALL), is required for smaller transactions, taxis and some cafés.Contactless payments aren’t so common in Albania, with the limit set to 2,000 ALL (£18), after which a PIN needs to be entered for purchases.The country has around 40 ATMs per 100,000 people, so getting out cash on a whim won’t be difficult to do – however, many visitors have reported broken machines or hesitancy from vendors who may be reluctant to use ‘point of sale’ terminals.In addition, visitors may typically be charged as much as 800 ALL (£7.21) per withdrawal, so it’s wise to come prepared prior to arrival.Laura said: ‘Albania is primarily a cash economy, with card payments not always accepted outside of urban centres.’Here, it can get particularly pricey to rely on ATMs, as not only can you expect local ATM fees (typically ranging from £4 to £7 per transaction), unfavourable exchange rates and bank charges, but as of 2026 there are new limits on how much you can take out at once.’And the more often you withdraw, the more your budget gets chipped away at.’Algeria Algeria has just 12 ATMs per 100,000 people – which only dispense local currency at the official exchange rate For those visiting Algeria, carrying local currency is essential for most transactions, especially with banks being few and far between here.According to travel guide publishers Fodors, the North African country has just 12 ATMs and 5.3 commercial bank branches per 100,000 people.While ATMs are available in major hubs like Algiers and Oran, international cards may not be accepted, and there are regular reports of machines running out of cash.Cash machines also only dispense Algerian dinars (DZD) at the official exchange rate, which is significantly lower – around 30 per cent less value – than the black market rate.Cash withdrawals in Algeria typically come with a flat fee of up to £3 per transaction, though local ATM owners can charge up to £5.Cambodia Cambodia boasts plenty of ATMs, though it can cost up to £6.60 to withdraw cash at any one time In Cambodia, credit and debit cards are virtually unused by locals, meaning it’s wise to carry local currency for purchases in shops, cafés, markets and for transport.There are plenty of ATMs available in tourist-heavy cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, all of which dispense US dollars (USD) and Khmer riel (KHR).Despite being highly accessible, ATMs are considered expensive due to high fees – between around £3 to £6.60 per withdrawal.As well as cash, it may be helpful to take a prepaid credit or debit card abroad, such as Caxton, Revolut or Wise Travel Money cards.Laura said: ‘Cash remains king in South and South-East Asia, claiming a 67 per cent share of POS transaction value across the APAC region in 2024.’Cambodia and Vietnam’s [ATM fees] are often the steepest at around £3 to £7 per withdrawal, followed by the Philippines at £3 to £5 – all before possible percentage-based charges from your home bank and poor exchange rates.’So in general across these regions, you could end up paying around 9 per cent to withdraw £100.’Egypt Egypt is known for its preference for cash payment, with banks difficult to locate in many areas Egypt attracts over ten million visitors a year thanks to its world-famous marvels, from the Pyramids of Giza, to the Nile River.But the country is just as renowned for taking cash payment over card, with visitors heavily encouraged to arrive with Egyptian pounds for purchases in souks, shops, restaurants, taxis and at attractions.Despite there being 30 ATMs per 100,000 people in urban hubs like Cairo and Alexandria, banks are more difficult to locate, while just under 3 per cent of the population is in possession of a credit card.Those in need of an ATM while holidaying in Egypt are advised to withdraw in Egyptian pounds (EGP) without a local currency conversion in order to get a better rate.Should travellers choose to be charged in British pounds, the ATM will make up its own exchange rate through DCC, resulting in an unfavourable rate.Generally, taking out Egyptian pounds from an ATM incurs fees of up to £1.50 from local banks, as well as potentially 2 to 3 per cent extra from your UK bank.Germany Germany might be an economic powerhouse, but cash is still preferred across the countryDespite being Europe’s largest economy, cash remains an important form of payment in Germany.In 2021, around 58 per cent of transactions across the country were completed in cash, with many Germans still ‘deeply’ mistrusting the financial industry even today, according to Daily Passport.Despite that, there is a dense network of ATMs available in major cities and small towns, most of which offer an English interface.To get a better exchange rate, travellers are advised to select ‘No’ or ‘Without Conversion’ when using ATMs.However, foreign visitors who are with major banks like Barclays and Bank of America may be able to use partner ATMs like Deutsche Bank that do not charge fees.It’s worth keeping around 100 euros in cash when visiting Germany as this money can be used to easily settle bills and buy souvenirs to take home.Laura commented: ‘It’s possible to find lower-fee or free ATM withdrawals in Germany, so be sure to check before you commit to your transaction – especially if you’re using a privately owned ATM.’This doesn’t however mean it won’t still cost you to take money out in Germany, as unfavourable exchange rates and bank charges will likely still apply.’India In India ATMs are relatively uncommon, even in key cities, with many local vendors still relying on cash for payment Across India digital payments are sharply on the rise, with most hotels and upscale restaurants accepting card in major cities.However, many local vendors and small businesses still rely on cash, Indian rupees (INR), for transactions. Currently, £1 converts to 128.87 INR.While ATMs are mostly located in tourist hubs and urban centres, they’re still relatively uncommon, with around 27 machines per 100,000 people.In some rural areas, ATMs are known to run out of cash or experience technical issues.As of 2026, international cards are also limited to around £88 per withdrawal, and new limits mean it’s now more expensive to make multiple small withdrawals.In addition to a local fee of up to £3, visitors will likely be faced with an extra foreign transaction fee from their home bank.Laura said: ‘India is a high cash use market, and travellers often encounter total costs of around £4 to £8 per withdrawal here once ATM fees and bank charges have layered up.’To access enough cash, you’ll likely have to make multiple transactions, as daily withdrawal limits have recently been cut to around £388 for many cards – meaning having to pay more withdrawal charges.’Jordan Cards are accepted in popular tourist spots across Jordan, but it’s a good idea to withdraw cash in the local currency when visiting remote areas or marketsIn major, tourist-heavy hotspots like Amman, Aqaba and Petra, credit and debit cards are widely accepted in large hotels, supermarkets and popular tourist sites.ATMs are generally easy to find in these areas, with around 388 machines per 100,000 people.However, the country is still cash-reliant, and ATMs are sparse in remote areas or towns located in the desert, so it’s advised to arrive at your destination with a good amount of Jordanian dinars (JOD).Occasionally, machines have been reported to have network issues, making it difficult to take out cash. Many ATMs also impose limits of up to 250 JOD (around £260) per transaction, though some Arab Bank locations may allow up to 500 JOD (£519).Visitors have also reported fees of up to 5 JOD (around £5) when using foreign cards.The expert said: ‘Fixed fees are common in Jordan for cash withdrawals, and in general you can expect to pay around £5 to £9 each time you take out cash.’Factoring in marked up exchange rates and possible bank charges, withdrawing £100 in Jordan could cost you 10 per cent. You’ll also tend to find a daily limit of around £275, so travellers can end up spending more than expected on frequent withdrawals.’Morocco Morocco is a cash-reliant nation with a closed currency, meaning money can only be exchanged within the countryMorocco is renowned for being reliant on cash, whether for souk purchases, restaurant and café bills or transport fares.While credit and debit cards are typically accepted in large hotels, shops and restaurants, smaller businesses may require cash payment.But with the Moroccan dirham (MAD) being a closed currency, arriving into the country with local money is near-impossible.A closed currency cannot be purchased or exchanged outside of a country, with visitors often required to exchange money upon arrival at airports, hotels and bureaux de change.For those who find themselves without local currency when out exploring, there are many ATMs across key cities like Marrakech, Tangier and Agadir, with around 20.9 per 100,000 people.However, machines are known to run out of cash, particularly in the evenings, and withdrawals often have a limit of around 2,000 MAD (£160) per transaction.Visitors can expect to pay up to £2.80 per withdrawal, plus an extra charge of up to 3 per cent from their UK bank.Laura added: ‘Most North African countries remain cash-focused, so relying on ATM withdrawals can get expensive.’ATM fees may not always look particularly steep in these regions and – especially in Morocco – you may find fee-free options for many foreign cards, but bear in mind that this is only part of the picture.’Unfavourable exchange rates and bank charges can still add up, which gets more expensive thanks to low withdrawal limits (sometimes around £75 in Tunisia). In general, withdrawing £100 could set you back up to 9 per cent in North Africa.’When returning home, it may be a good idea to exchange unused dirhams back to UK pounds before leaving the country.Tunisia In Tunisia, cash is needed for transactions across souks, shops and smaller restaurants Known for its sparkling Mediterranean resorts and golden-sand beaches, Tunisia is equally renowned for its preference for cash payments.In souks, cafés and even many petrol stations across the country, cash is king, so it’s advised to arrive at your destination with a good amount of Tunisian dinar (TND) in hand.While card is accepted in hotels and other larger businesses, visitors may be forced to use ATMs to withdraw cash, though these are plentiful in hotspots like Hammamet and Djerba, with around 32.7 per 100,000 in population.However, using ATMs in these areas carries risks, with visitors encouraged to use machines attached to banks like STB, BTL and BIAT to reduce the risk of fraud.Users can expect fees of up to 12 TND (£3) per withdrawal, and withdrawal limits of up to 800 TND (£203) per transaction.As with Morocco, Tunisian dinar cannot be exchanged outside the country, therefore it is wise to only withdraw the amount that is needed. There are ATMs available in the Tunis-Carthage arrivals hall at the airport.Vietnam In Vietnam, there are only 27 ATMs per 100,000 residents, meaning it’s wise to arrive with local currencyIn Vietnam, where street food and unique market finds are at the heart of bustling tourist cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, cash is still the preferred method for transactions.With only 27 ATMs per 100,000 residents, visitors – especially those who plan to travel into remote areas – are advised to arrive with money exchanged into local Vietnamese dong (VND).However, ATMs can still be easily found in airports and convenience stores across key cities and tourist hubs, with many supporting Visa and Mastercard.While some banks like VP bank offer lower rates or no fees, many local banks impose a fee of between 50,000 to 80,000 VND (£1.40 to £2.25) per transaction.Withdrawal limits are typically low – up to 10,000,000 per transaction through the likes of HSBC and Citibank – though users can make multiple withdrawals.Laura said: ‘Travellers to South-East Asia can also find their holiday budget impacted by low ATM withdrawal limits, averaging around £60 to £90 per day in Vietnam (depending on your card type). This means having to take out cash more regularly and paying more charges.’