How do you pay at Sälen – by card, cash or foreign currency?

How do you pay at the Sälen ski resort? For the vast majority of visitors, a standard debit or credit card is sufficient for the entire stay. Sweden is one of Europe’s most card-based countries, and in Sälenfjällen, guests pay by card at the ski lift ticket office, in the supermarket, at restaurants and at ski hire shops. Cash is rarely needed, and some businesses do not accept it at all.

The currency used is the Swedish krona, SEK. Euros, Danish kroner (DKK) and Norwegian kroner (NOK) are not accepted as payment in shops, even if you are close to the border. It sounds dramatic but is actually quite simple: your card takes care of the currency conversion for you. For a group that has booked a cottage for couples in Sälenfjällen or a larger house, the only real preparation is to check what fees your own bank charges for purchases in SEK.

Short answer: the card is almost always enough

This is what the payment overview looks like for a foreign guest in Sälenfjällen:

• Debit and credit cards It is accepted at virtually all the places where you shop during your stay.
• Contactless payment and paying by mobile phone or smartwatch is common and works just like it does at home.
• Cash It is accepted in some places, but not everywhere, and is very rarely used by Swedes.
• Swish, the Swedish payment app, requires a Swedish personal identity number and cannot be obtained by visitors.
• The currency is SEK. No shop sets its prices in euros, Danish kroner or Norwegian kroner.

Feel free to bring two cards from different card networks and keep them separate. That’s the only backup you really need. Also check with your bank that the card is valid for use in Sweden and that the spending limit is sufficient to cover a week’s expenses.

Swedish kronor (SEK), euros and neighbouring currencies

Sweden has not adopted the euro. Prices are quoted in SEK, and this also applies to visitors from eurozone countries. The Danish and Norwegian kroner are separate currencies with their own exchange rates, so a Danish or Norwegian visitor cannot expect Swedish prices to correspond to prices at home on a krona-for-krona basis. You should therefore always convert the price into your own currency before making a comparison, otherwise the comparison will be misleading.

You do not need to exchange money before you set off. There is no practical advantage in arriving at Sälenfjällen with a wad of banknotes, and currency exchange bureaux are rare in mountain areas. If you do wish to have a small cash reserve, a modest amount will suffice for your entire stay.

Exchange rates, currency surcharges and ATM withdrawals

The cost of paying with a foreign card depends on three factors: the card issuer’s currency surcharge, any ATM withdrawal fee, and the exchange rate applied at the time of purchase. The first two are determined by your own bank, and this is what you should enquire about before your trip. The third is something you can influence whilst you’re there.

At card terminals and cash machines, you are often asked whether you wish to pay in SEK or in your own currency. Choosing SEK means that your own bank handles the currency conversion at its own exchange rate. Choosing your home currency means that the payment terminal provider sets the exchange rate instead. As a rule, it is cheaper to choose SEK, but do feel free to compare the rates yourself the first time. You’ll see both options on the screen.

Cash machines are available in the larger towns within the 1TP76 area, but there are fewer of them than in a major city. If you need cash, it’s easier to withdraw it on the way up than to look for a cash machine on the last day.

Swish and the Swedish payment apps that require a personal identity number

You’ll see the word ‘Swish’ on signs, in adverts and on noticeboards. Swish is a Swedish payment app linked to a Swedish bank account, a Swedish mobile number and electronic identification via BankID. You cannot set it up as a temporary visitor, nor do you need to.

In practical terms, this means that a few small-scale payments may be more difficult for you than for a Swedish guest: a private individual selling something on the spot, a small club charging for an activity, or a fundraising collection. Ask in advance whether card payments are accepted, so you avoid any surprises. All the major organisations in Sälenfjällen accept cards.

Where cash may still be needed

Cash hasn’t gone away, but it’s rare. There are a few situations where it’s handy to have a small cash reserve:

• Small-scale sales by private individuals, for example at a farm shop or a temporary stall.
• Tip in situations where you wish to give cash, even though tipping is not expected in Sweden.
• As a backup in the event that a card is blocked or a terminal is out of service.

Conversely, there are businesses that are entirely cashless and cannot accept banknotes even if they wanted to. This is permitted in Sweden and is in no way intended as a personal slight against customers. As for your regular weekly shop, it’s no problem: all major supermarkets accept cards, and you’ll find them in our overview of the shops near the accommodation.

Payment for accommodation, ski passes and hire

The three main expenses for a week’s skiing are usually paid before you even arrive. Accommodation is normally paid for in advance in accordance with the booking terms and conditions, and we explain how this works when booking from another country in our guide on booking from abroad. It’s best to buy your ski pass online in advance, and we go through the pricing in the article on how much the ski pass costs.

Ski and equipment hire is paid for either at the time of booking or in-store upon collection, depending on the supplier. Bear in mind that a security hold may be placed on your card for certain types of hire, such as vehicles or more expensive equipment. A hold is not a withdrawal, but it ties up funds on your card until it is released. You should therefore ensure you have plenty of credit available on your card, particularly if you are also paying for a hire car.

Summary – how to prepare your payments

Paying in Sälen in Dalarna is easier than many overseas visitors think. Bring two debit cards, check with your bank what the surcharge is for a purchase in SEK, and select SEK when the terminal asks which currency you wish to pay in. Do not exchange any money in advance, and expect to get through the whole week without cash. You cannot set up a Swish account as a visitor, but you won’t need one when paying at the major retailers either. Check the current terms and fees with your own bank before you travel, as these vary between banks and cards. If you have any questions about how payment works for your specific booking, we’ll be happy to answer them before you travel.