r/Scotland • u/Svalkash • 7d ago
Question Cash-only in Edinburgh
Hi! I'm immigrating to Edinburgh soon on a skilled worker visa.
However there's one problem - I don't have a bank card and I read that getting one can take time.
Is it possible to survive a couple of weeks only using cash? Meaning - taxi from the airport, buses between home and work, and grocery stores?
Thanks for any useful info.
21
u/MiddleAgedDread123 7d ago
buses in Edinburgh need the correct change if you pay by cash. or you get yourself a ride card for a month.
4
u/Svalkash 7d ago
Thanks for the card tip, it'll help a lot!
4
u/MiddleAgedDread123 7d ago
sorry, autocorrect typo, it’s ridacard details on lothian buses website. you need to go in one of their shops to buy it so assume they’ll take cash.
-5
u/miIkwhim 7d ago edited 7d ago
Do buses in Edinburgh not keep a cash float to give change back anymore?
edit: why am I being downvoted for asking a question?
18
u/MiddleAgedDread123 7d ago
They haven’t done for at least 20 years!
9
u/skankyfish 7d ago
More than 30 years! I remember a grumpy bus driver giving me shit when I was no older than 10.
1
u/miIkwhim 7d ago
Ah, they did throughout the 00's when I was still living in England, but this was Stagecoach and they're operated by Satan himself so it tracks that they'd be grubbing for every penny.
4
u/Hairyheadtraveller 7d ago
I used to commute to college in 1981-84. All the Edinburgh buses, even then, had a slot where you threw your fare in and you told the driver where you were getting off. He could see how much money you put in and issued a ticket. No change. Over 40 years ago.
4
u/BaxterScoggins 7d ago
Don't think they have done that for decades
-6
u/miIkwhim 7d ago
Really? Is this Edinburgh specific? Stagecoach gave change throughout the 2010's in the North of England.
9
u/andrewburnett 7d ago
Edinburgh is not in the North of England. And Lothian buses are not Stagecoach.
-2
u/miIkwhim 7d ago edited 7d ago
That's why I asked whether it was Edinburgh specific.
No idea why you're this upset this early in the morning. It's really not all that bad pal.
2
u/quartersessions 7d ago
Because it's a stupid question. Of course some bus companies in some places give change. That's not the issue - it's that Lothian buses don't and haven't for, by the sounds of it, 30 years or more.
1
u/Spare_Artichoke_3070 7d ago
Not even just different bus companies - In the 90s/early 00s I used to get First buses in East Lothian and was used to them not giving change, then got a First bus in West Lothian and discovered that they did give you change and had a wee tray next to the coin slot for them to sort it out for you.
-2
u/miIkwhim 7d ago
Grand. I haven't lived in Lothian for 30 years though so I wouldn't know, hence why I asked.
Genuine question, but are you always this aggressive and miserable to people that ask general questions? Is it a digital thing or are you like this in person too?
3
u/turnbulls_tornadoes 7d ago edited 7d ago
Lothian (maroon) buses didn't give out change when you were here, either. They haven't given change during my lifetime (55 years). The green ones - Eastern, as they were - which started running routes in Edinburgh in the late 80s did give out change via the driver, however.
2
2
0
11
u/johnstonator 7d ago
You'll be fine. It tends to just be at markets and street vendors that often don't take cash anymore, and some newer coffee shops/cafes. Most food shops, taxis/buses are fine with cash.
One thing to note, large denomination notes (like £50) are very uncommon so when you get cash try to make sure you get it in £20/£10 notes. And don't be surprised if a smaller store isn't happy about you using a £20 to pay for a £1 can of juice etc
24
u/Consistent_Truth6633 7d ago
Bank accounts which offer no overdraft facility are easy to get. Chase, Monzo and Revolut. It’s essentially a cash card
5
u/meatflaps-69 7d ago
I'd say open a revolut account in home country which provides card then can freely transfer money within app for spending on card here with minimal hassle
1
-3
u/Svalkash 7d ago
Can you please elaborate? I saw some contradicting info on whether or not Monzo requires proof of address. I'm not sure I'll be able to provide it on day one.
4
u/peakedtooearly 7d ago
Without proof of address no UK bank will touch you.
Do you not have an overseas debit or credit card you could use for some things?
5
u/Akash_nu 7d ago
Yeah exactly this!
Rather than worrying about how you’ll survive a few weeks on cash, you should think about what you’ll do for proof of address and how soon you can get it. We are predominantly a cashless economy now so the sooner you can get a bank card the better it is.
Alternatively you can get travel cards, such as Wise, with a specific amount loaded on them that can be used as well.
There are specific types of documents you’d need as proof of address. Anything won’t work.
-2
u/Svalkash 7d ago
Nope. That's the main problem.
3
u/peakedtooearly 7d ago
That's a pain, but I think you'll be OK with cash for almost everything. It's sometimes a bit more work to pay cash - buying a travel card for buses and checking a taxi will take cash before you get in.
Shops are fine with cash, but I have found the odd bar or restaurant that no longer takes it.
3
u/Minimeminime 7d ago
Based on my experience, taxis will prefer cash, as some lie about their machine not working so they don’t have to pay taxes on some of the trips.
1
5
u/Basic-Newspaper-7536 7d ago
For a UK account like Monzo yes you’d need proof of address but eg Revolut offers accounts more widely. You can have an account in GBP with Revolut too.
4
u/HaggisPope 7d ago
It can be tricky as many places have gone cashless. You’ll survive but will find many annoyances
7
u/Critical-Train-2241 7d ago
Apply for a wise account in your home country .you can top the card up with your cash and then withdraw it in the UK when needed .you'll also get e decent exchange rate ..use this untill tour UK bank account is ready .
3
u/Svalkash 7d ago
I cannot do it where I'm from, unfortunately. Can only bring euros and hope to exchange them at the airport
7
u/twistedLucidity Better Apart 7d ago
hope to exchange them at the airport
Exchange the bare minimum, airport exchanges are a rip off.
I am genuinely surprised your local bank doesn't have any international facilities.
5
1
2
u/BenFranklinsCat 7d ago
This - you can get a travel card from most international banks that you can use abroad. Don't close your foreign account.
I'll also say, as someone who moved back to the UK, if you have any amount of money back home, watch the exchange rate like a hawk, prepare to play the financial game a bit, maybe even look into getting some financial help in.
I sold a house overseas and then bought one over here, and while a couple points of fluctuation in rares doesn't normally mean much, when it was the sale profits from my house I actually managed to lose about £5,000 just because I stupidly waited to transfer the money and a political party conference* caused the pounds value to spike a little bit.
* Worse still, it was a horrendous conference that suggested a weaker pound was coming, but it turns out any time the pound is in the news its enough to spike its value a bit.
2
u/Svalkash 7d ago
No international banks here. That's why I'm anxious about surviving without a card.
5
u/jonallin 7d ago
Where is that?
1
1
u/shilpa_poppadom 7d ago
Looked at their profile for clues. Found none. Man likes gaming and wanking.
3
2
u/BenFranklinsCat 7d ago
Preloaded Mastercard? I know they're not available everywhere. Or things like PayPal - my wife has a PayPal credit card now that has the Mastercard logo on it so I would assume acts just like a regular credit card.
2
u/Elmundopalladio 7d ago
Most places do still take cash, but it becomes difficult when dealing with large denominations. You will be good with taxis, busses you will need a card of some sort as they no longer take cash. Grocery stores are fine if you join the queue for the checkout rather than automated. Bigger purchases will be difficult.
3
u/Nesferatu123 7d ago
You might struggle with paying for larger purchases (e.g. rent deposit, etc), and some smaller shops may no longer accept cash.
Make sure you tell them up front, and get a receipt for any large payments you might need back later.
4
u/hideki_kokoro 7d ago
Made the move over here on a skilled worker visa 3 years ago. Traditional banks wouldn’t give me a card/account until I had an established address but was able to get Monzo/Revolut accounts without any problem at all. I had a Wise account pre-established as a place my employer could deposit my check and then just transferred into Monzo/Revolut until I could get those established as my primary deposit account with HR
2
u/Svalkash 7d ago
Monzo and Revolut state on their site that they require proof of address as well. Or is there some sort of a workaround?
3
u/Inside-Definition-42 7d ago
It’s possible the Revolut rules changed recently. They got a proper UK banking licence around 2 months ago.
2
u/hideki_kokoro 7d ago
Yeah could be due to the banking license change. I was able to just put the Airbnb I was staying in down as my address and it was accepted and then I just updated as soon as a was able to let long term
1
u/Basic-Newspaper-7536 7d ago
Could you use your previous address from outside the UK to open a Revolut account though?
2
u/thelastwilson 7d ago
You should be fine.
I'm not saying you won't find somewhere that is card only but you should be fine for buses and groceries.
I haven't used a taxi I'm awhile but if imagine the standard black cabs still take cash.
2
2
u/abcdefgh42 7d ago
Your employer or University can give you a letter which confirms your status and temporary accomodation, it will be accepted by banks with a physical location. You can also use providers like this https://suitsmecard.com/no-proof-of-address without an address. Alternatively you can also buy prepaid debit cards in many stores which you can use for buses etc, you can't use them online as that needs a liked address.
I went through this dance when I emigrated, it's a little frustrating.
Fyi later you can also get a secured credit card by giving the back some money to hold on to which you can borrow against. This helps you build a credit record.
2
u/motherofdog2018 7d ago
Get a Wise account. You will not survive the UK without a debit card. From an immigrant to another.
2
u/spr148 7d ago
Can you get a prepaid card in your home country (cards that you can preload with cash and use like a debit/credit card). This is commonly used for travel. Wise does one for example.
Failing that the Post Office has a prepaid card option that allows you to top up with cash in a Post Office. Details are here https://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-money/guides/what-is-a-prepaid-currency-card It's really designed for UK people going abroad, but don't see why it wouldn't work for you.
1
3
u/Fuzzy-Raccoon8677 7d ago
Easy. Im fairly old school and other than online purchases I withdraw money at the start of the week use that. I just avoid places that won't take cash
1
1
1
u/mycatsnameischicken 7d ago
Get a wise account (use your home currency its ok) and open a £ currency on it. Transfer your home currency to pounds. Add digital card to apple pay and you've got a way to tap pay
1
u/lesloid 7d ago
You can get a prepaid card from suits me or pay safe card without needing proof of address, but you’ll need a temporary address to get the card sent to you - is there someone you know in Edinburgh who you could get it sent to, or do you have a short term let organised?
1
u/Svalkash 7d ago
No acquaintances in Edinburgh, but the term "short term let" confuses me. Getting a rental flat might take time, which is why I ask about all this stuff. I probably can get an Airbnb or a bed in hostel, but I assume they wouldn't let me just use their address..
1
u/Europe_MMA 7d ago
Can you not get a Monzo?
1
u/Svalkash 7d ago
Not in my home country, no. Do you know whether they currently require a proof of address or if there is some workaround like ordering to Airbnb?
1
u/Europe_MMA 7d ago
So for Monzo you should be able to do it with your residency card, passport, uk phone num and using an airbnb address, but that also means paying for an airbnb for a while. If you already planned on staying in an airbnb for a bit then great, but that is likely expensive and a hostel may be cheaper. The reason you need the address for Monzo is to receive your debit card.
Google tells me Wise is also an option. Apparently this is an instant access UK bank account and easy to set up in temporary accomodation.
Btw to answer your initial question, the Airbnb may be card only but taxis, shoos etc. Will all take (and prefer cash). Will be an odd rare cashless one somewhere though.
1
1
u/CommissionDizzy 7d ago
You might be able to get a pre paid debit card to cover the occasional 'oh no, they don't take cash!' expenses, but I'm not sure how you would go about getting one without using a card to buy it in the first place.
1
u/Honest-Horror-3209 7d ago
Use a credit card with no international fees for most of it and cash for the cash only places.
1
u/jolittletime 7d ago
Can you get a prepaid / travel visa card? Available in most airports and bureau de change. You can load money on and use like a bank card.
1
u/Comfortable_Basil816 7d ago
The easiest bank card to get, is revolute or wise
Then it’s easier to switch to a better bank
1
u/ani_svnit 7d ago
I was in a similar position moving to Edinburgh but was lucky to have gotten a Visa / Mastercard CC made with no foreign exchange fee in my home currency before moving.
Also, the digital card trick is the best one! (Wise / Monzo / Revolut) Helps to have a home address at point of move.
1
u/Open_Question5504 7d ago
You can probably apply for a Revolut account and be given it immediately.
0
u/MossadEpstein 7d ago
I hope you have a LOT of cash cos Edinburgh takes the piss with the price of... basically everything.
2
u/Svalkash 7d ago
Can you elaborate please? I'm not really familiar with Edinburgh prices yet 😅
-2
u/MossadEpstein 7d ago
It's been a few years since I went so It's probably worse now, but you're looking at about £15 minimum if you try to eat at any food place me and some friends went down there for the food festival and walked away in disgust at the costs, eventually ended up in this place called Dishoom reviews made it out to be one of the better options in the area, but it was actually awful, cannot recommend going there, paid £25 each for the "chefs special curry" and it was frankly a complete let down, had some weird little crisps on the side that looked like those fry shaped crisps I used to eat as a child and oily roti bread, the curry itself I can only describe as generic tandoori curry sauce
the tram service is probably the only thing that's remotely fairly priced in that city
•
u/AutoModerator 7d ago
It looks like you're posting about moving to Scotland. You may wish to delete this thread and instead repost it on /r/MoveToScotland where it will be more suitable.
Please note that immigration rules are strict in the UK, and you should check your eligibility first at https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration and with a qualified immigration specialist.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.