Men's Ashes 2027
Money & Payments
Paying for things in England is straightforward for most international visitors. Card payments are widely accepted, cash is rarely essential, and the infrastructure for contactless and mobile payments is well established.
Currency
- Pound Sterling (GBP)
- England uses Pound Sterling. All prices are shown in pounds. There is no need to familiarise yourself with a secondary currency.
- Cash
- Most visitors carry very little cash. Contactless card and phone payments work at grounds, transport, hotels, and most restaurants. A small amount of GBP can be useful as a backup, but is rarely essential.
- Foreign currency
- You do not need to carry large amounts of cash converted from your home currency. If you want some GBP on arrival, airport and city-centre ATMs are the most straightforward way to obtain it.
Card Payments
Card payments are the default for most transactions in England. Contactless payment is standard at supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, public transport and cricket grounds.
- Visa and Mastercard
- Accepted almost everywhere. These are the most reliable cards to bring.
- Contactless
- Widely supported. The contactless limit for card payments in the UK is £100. Higher amounts require chip and PIN.
- Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Accepted at most larger retailers, food vendors and transport. Where a contactless card reader is present, mobile payments will generally work.
- American Express
- Accepted at most larger venues, hotels and chain restaurants. Less reliably accepted at independent traders and smaller food stalls.
- Chip and PIN
- Know your card PIN. Some transactions — particularly at unmanned terminals and over the contactless limit — require it.
Cash
Most visitors to England rely primarily on cards. Cash is still useful in some situations — small market stalls, some car parks, and occasional independent traders — but it is not required for day-to-day spending at cricket grounds or in city centres.
If you prefer to carry some cash, a modest amount is sufficient. There is no practical reason to carry large sums.
ATMs
- Availability
- ATMs are widely available throughout all four host cities — in bank branches, supermarkets, petrol stations and transport hubs. You will not need to seek one out in advance.
- International fees
- Check your home bank's international withdrawal fees before travelling. Many banks charge a fixed fee per withdrawal plus a percentage of the amount. Withdrawing larger amounts less frequently reduces this cost.
- Machine type
- Use bank-operated ATMs where possible. Independent machines in convenience stores and some petrol stations sometimes charge additional usage fees, which are displayed on screen before you confirm the withdrawal.
- Dynamic currency conversion
- If an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in your home currency rather than GBP, decline. This service applies a less favourable exchange rate. Always choose to pay in GBP.
Travel Cards
Multi-currency travel cards can be a convenient option for some visitors. They allow you to load GBP before travel and lock in the exchange rate at the time of loading, which removes currency fluctuation as a variable during your trip.
They are entirely optional. Standard debit and credit cards work well for most visitors. If you already have a card that works internationally without significant fees, there is no strong practical reason to obtain a separate travel card for this trip.
Tipping
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory in England. In restaurants, a tip for good service is customary — but always check the bill first, as many restaurants include a service charge automatically. If a service charge is already included, there is no expectation to add more.
At bars and pubs, tipping is less common and there is no social pressure to do so. For taxis, rounding up the fare is a common informal gesture but again not expected. There are no rigid conventions; use your own judgement.
Before You Travel
- Notify your bank if required before international travel
- Check foreign transaction fees with your card provider
- Bring a backup payment card
- Enable contactless payments before leaving home
- Carry a small amount of GBP if preferred
- Know your card PIN
For a broader pre-departure checklist covering documents, entry requirements, accommodation and connectivity, see the First-Time Visitor Guide. If you are thinking through what to pack for match days, the Packing Guide covers payment cards alongside clothing, electronics and matchday essentials. Guidance on spending in each host city is also covered on the Host Cities pages.