Travelling soon - any advice if hostels accept cards in Niger or I have to give them cash
If you’re heading to Niger, sort your money out in advance. Hostels and guesthouses in Niamey and beyond won’t take cards-Résidence Tenere, Le Pillier, all of them are cash only. Bring a Visa card to use at Ecobank ATMs in Niamey, and withdraw enough to cover your trip. Once you’re outside the capital, machines are rare to non-existent. Always have a cash buffer. Using a card to actually pay at a hostel isn’t an option-you’ll need CFA notes every time.
When I landed in Niamey, I figured I could just swipe my card at check-in, but nope-Le Pillier Guesthouse told me flat out it’s cash only. I walked down to an ATM, and only my Visa debit worked, not my Mastercard. After that, I paid for everything in CFA notes. Even in Agadez, the guesthouse there was the same-cash on arrival. It felt like going back in time a bit, but I just adjusted and carried enough cash. Definitely don’t expect card machines in hostels here.
My trip to Niger was definitely off the beaten path but really rewarding. I stayed at Résidence Tenere in Niamey and while they only accepted CFA cash, the staff were super welcoming and pointed me to an ATM nearby that worked with my Visa. Once I sorted the money, it was smooth sailing-used cash for the room, meals, and even transport to the Grand Mosque. Honestly, it wasn’t a big deal. Just plan to withdraw enough cash in Niamey before heading out to Agadez or Zinder, where there’s almost no banking infrastructure.
In Niamey, most budget places like Le Pillier Guesthouse or Résidence Tenere don’t take foreign cards. Expect to pay cash in CFA francs. A few of the larger international hotels do accept Visa, but that doesn’t extend to hostels or smaller stays. ATMs are available in Niamey and my Visa debit worked at Ecobank, though not every machine was reliable. For your hostel, carry cash-it’s the only method they accept. Think of cards more as a backup for cash withdrawal, not as a way to settle your stay.