Want to avoid last-minute ATM runs. Do most hostels in Togo take card payments at check-in
Planning a stay in Togo? Be ready with cash. Even though Visa works at some ATMs in Lomé or Sokodé, hostels-including those listed on Booking around Gnassingbé or Agoè-will want francs in hand. Get your cash early, maybe even exchange some euros if possible. That way, you breeze through checking in and skip last-minute ATM drama where reliability drops outside capitals.
When I rolled into Kara, I thought my Mastercard would cover check-in at a guesthouse-it didn't. They sent me to an Ecobank ATM nearby where my Visa worked just fine. After that, it was leafleting to pay in CFA for my room and tuk-tuk ride. Hostels didn’t fuss about cash, just wanted it. Since then, my rule: card to grab CFA, then operate in cash for the rest of Togo.
I stayed in a family-run hostel near Zongo market that only accepted cash-and that felt refreshingly straightforward. I found an ATM on the main drag in Lomé, pulled CFA with my Wise card, and then paid for my stay effortlessly. It felt more local, too, chatting with the host about markets and food. So yes-cash is king, but having a reliable Visa card to draw from means you can load up quickly and relax.
In Togo, cash still rules. Hostels and basic guesthouses-especially in places like Lomé’s Tokoin or Kara-almost always want francs CFA on arrival. While ATMs exist in major towns, they can charge a fee (200-400 CFA) and occasionally go offline. Visa is accepted at some larger hotels, but don’t count on it for hostels. Best advice? Withdraw enough CFA as soon as you arrive and rely on cash for those budget dorms or roadside stays.