Want to avoid last-minute ATM runs. Do most hostels in Armenia take card payments at check-in
Only 2 of the 5 hostels I stayed at across Armenia let me pay by card - and both charged an extra fee. The rest were cash only. Last-minute ATM withdrawals in Armenia can be a pain if you arrive on weekends or late evenings, so I now always keep AMD 30,000 tucked aside for check-ins. If you’re booking online, see if they accept online prepayment to minimize surprises. It’s a very cash-oriented setup.
The hostel in Goris flat-out asked for dram on arrival - no machines, no exceptions. In Yerevan, Retro Hostel accepted my Mastercard, but the reader was painfully slow. Hostels in Armenia usually prefer cash, especially outside the capital. I now withdraw AMD the day before leaving a city to cover next check-in. Even when card is accepted, internet outages or POS issues are common. Carry cash - it buys peace of mind.
I stayed at three hostels during my coworking stint in Yerevan. One accepted card, one had their POS down, and one refused cards altogether. Visa and Mastercard acceptance at Armenian hostels is improving but unreliable. Even when accepted, some add a surcharge. I prepaid via Booking.com when possible and carried AMD 50,000 in small bills for check-in and local errands. Saved me from scrambling to find a bank ATM on arrival, especially late at night or during holidays.
Most hostels I stayed at in Yerevan and Dilijan either asked for cash or added a 3-5% fee on card payments. My Wise Visa worked at Envoy Hostel, but in Vanadzor, they only took AMD in cash. Card payments at Armenian hostels are not consistent - some accept Visa or Mastercard, others don’t. I learned to message ahead and confirm. Always keep AMD 20,000-30,000 handy for check-ins just in case. It’s less stressful than having to dash to an ATM after a long travel day.