Total European travel noob...

I can't remember the last time I used cash to pay for something in the U.S. Gas, groceries, haircuts, etc. It all goes on my C.C.

But I'm think Europe may be different?
We'll be in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. What can I expect when it come to using credit cards to pay for: taxis, shuttles, tours, food, restaurants, etc.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks

All those countries are First World.
They all accept credit cards; Visa and MC more so than AmEx.

Typical Europe is not country issue. Just as an example: In Sweden there are situations where cash isn't accepted at all anymore, while Germany often is cash-only.

For Germany

taxis: most in Hamburg accept Visa/MC
tours: no idea
food: high-end supermarkets (Rewe, Edeka) accept Visa/MC/Amex, low-end ones (Aldi, Lidl) only cash and local debit cards.
restaurants: many accept Visa/MC, but prefer cash. Many smaller places are cash only.

Get a Schwab/Fidelity/Capital One debit card that doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee and that will rebate you for any ATM fees. Take out money, pay with cash as needed. See this FW thread for some recent comparisons on debit fees:

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/finance/1323178/

Keep in mind most American credit cards charge 1-3% foreign transaction fees, so you might be better served paying in cash anyway.

Thanks everyone for the info.

I have several C.C. with no foreign transaction fees. So I guess I'll carry around some Euros and only use those when I have to. I mean if I'm paying for most of the trip using points from my C.C., I might as well continue to earn points along the way.

You may want some Francs as well if you're going to Switzerland...

Ah.. good point. Forgot about that.

And remember that more and more in Europe it is 'pin and chip' cards only in 'machines'. The (for us) old 'swipe cards' often don't work. They usually do work in the handheld machines that waiters in restaurants often use (and then you have to sign the CC slip), but not in (for instance) train station ticket machines!

you can pay for a significant portion - hotels, nicer or popular restaurants - with card.

for smaller transactions, and maybe for 1/2 of overall # of transactions, cash is better.

its not that card is not accepted, but that it becomes a bit more of a hassle whether you have the wrong kind of card, network of card, travel blocks, etc etc

Again, as has been mentioned, the answer varies by country. As far as Switzerland is concerned the idea that it is necessary/"better" to use cash to pay for 1/2 of all transactions is completely wrong. Restaurants, public transport, supermarkets, hotels and pretty much every store all take credit or debit cards, though as others have pointed out, the OP would be wise to stick to MC and Visa where possible, and bear in mind that having a non CHIP/PIN card may require extra work (such as going to the counter in the railway station instead of using a ticket machine). I personally use debit or credit cards for more like 90% of transitions. I generally use cash at the open-air markets when buying vegetables and fruit etc, but even there I could use cards if I wanted with most vendors.

In Austria are some Restaurant dont have an CC Terminal but in the major Shops thats no problem. In Germany its a huge problem...
I need some Medicine for me and i was ask in 23 Pharmacy who accept my CC and No 24 say yes because i have to pay >200€ for that drugs...

I can't remember the last time I used a credit card in Germany or Switzerland - I have always used cash. Just seems to be faster and easier.

Doesn't Germany have some weird CC network which may accept German issued CC but not foreign? Or did someone pull a fast one on me?

I often use mastercard/visa card in Germany in shops and in ATMs. No problems.
My cards are European ( not German though ) with chip and code.

on a typical vacation trip, i make 6-10 payments a day. over 100 little charges on a credit card report would drive me crazy. i pay most under $50 charges with cash. do not use a credit card to pull money out of an atm. use a card that will give you 100% on the dollar cash.