Budget & prices
Cash or card in Luxembourg: what should I bring?
5 min read
Contactless payment at a Luxembourg bakery
Where card is fine (nearly everywhere)
Visa and Mastercard contactless work at hotels, restaurants, supermarkets (Cactus, Auchan, Delhaize), pharmacies, museums, wine estates on the Moselle, and every chain shop in Ville Haute and Kirchberg. American Express is accepted at bigger hotels and department stores like Galeries Lafayette in the city, but plenty of independent restaurants refuse it. Apple Pay and Google Pay are ubiquitous. There is no minimum spend at most places, though a few cafes still post a 10 euro minimum for cards.
Public transport is free so you never need to tap for that. Taxis all take cards. Parking meters take contactless or the Copilot app.
Where you will want cash
The Wednesday and Saturday morning market on Place Guillaume II, the Christmas markets in December, some bakeries in older neighbourhoods, small village restaurants in the Mullerthal or around Vianden, and public toilets (0.50-1 euro coin) all prefer or require cash. Church donation boxes and tips also need coins. ATMs (called Bancomat) from BCEE, BGL BNP Paribas and Spuerkeess are everywhere in the capital and charge nothing for EU cards; check your home bank's fee. Airport ATM rates are fine, no worse than in town.
Frequently asked questions
Are US dollars accepted anywhere?
No. Change money before you leave or use an ATM on arrival. The airport has several in the arrivals hall.
Is there a limit on contactless without a PIN?
50 euros per transaction, same as elsewhere in the eurozone. Above that you enter a PIN or use your phone.
Where to stay
Rooms worth pairing with this guide.
Ready to plan this trip?
Real prices for the places this piece names.
