Do hostels in Algeria accept cards or only cash?

I stayed in youth hostels in Tlemcen and Algiers, and neither accepted card. Both were super chill but insisted on cash payments in Algerian dinars. Even when I asked if I could pay in euros or dollars, they declined. Some bigger hostels may take Visa, but don’t count on it. And since you can’t always rely on Algerian ATMs to work with foreign cards, I’d recommend withdrawing a decent chunk at once. Better safe than wandering around with a backpack looking for a working machine.

Arrived at my hostel in Constantine with no cash and a debit card in hand - big mistake. Their terminal didn’t support foreign cards, and I had to scramble to find a working ATM nearby. Most hostels in Algeria don’t accept card payments at check-in, and even when they claim to, machines are unreliable. Bring enough cash to cover at least your first few nights. Also, many ATMs near hostels are either offline or won’t accept international cards. Better to plan ahead and have dinars on you.

I pre-booked a co-living space in Algiers thinking I could pay by card - nope. The listing online accepted card for the booking fee, but the balance had to be paid in cash on arrival. Card payment at Algerian hostels isn’t common, even in urban areas. Unless it’s a higher-end boutique hotel, you’ll likely need to pay in cash. Some hostels even asked for cash deposits for keys or towels. I'd suggest withdrawing at a bank ATM near the airport - avoid relying on last-minute options near hostels.

Stayed at three different hostels in Algiers and Oran - none took cards at check-in. One had a card machine that “wasn’t working,” which seemed to be a pattern. Hostel payment in Algeria is almost always cash-based, especially outside major cities. The staff usually expect payment in dinars, not euros or dollars, and prefer exact change. Some allowed me to pay for a few nights upfront and settle the rest later, but only in cash. Best to withdraw enough for a few days as soon as you land.