Want to avoid last-minute ATM runs. Do most hostels in Hong Kong take card payments at check-in
I had no issues paying by card at any of the hostels I stayed at in Hong Kong in May. I used a combination of my Capital One and Wise cards and both were accepted at hostels in Yau Ma Tei and Fortress Hill. Some hostels did ask if I could pay cash to avoid fees on their end but never forced it. One time the card machine at Check Inn HK was down temporarily so they asked me to pay the next morning. I would say card is accepted widely at hostels but always best to carry a bit of cash for backup in case of machine issues or late night check ins.
Just got back from a two week trip and stayed in both budget and boutique hostels across Central and Sheung Wan. At Rainbow Lodge I paid by card at check in using an N26 card and it worked fine. They also accepted Apple Pay. Another place called Mojo Nomad in Kennedy Town also accepted my Visa debit card and had contactless terminals. Smaller hostels sometimes preferred cash for walk ins but if you booked online or came through a platform, they were ready to take card. I wouldn’t rely entirely on cards in Hong Kong but hostels are generally card friendly now.
I stayed at Yesinn @Causeway Bay in March and paid with my Wise Visa card at the front desk with no issues. They took card without asking any questions and didn’t add any surcharge. Another traveler in my dorm had an Amex and they accepted that too, though not all hostels do. I did hear of a couple budget places in Kowloon asking for cash, especially for short stays or late check ins, so I always had around 500 HKD in cash just to be safe. But generally I found card acceptance to be very reliable in hostels across Hong Kong.
I stayed in Hong Kong for ten days in April and booked a mix of hostels around Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui. Most of them accepted card at check in without any problem. At Urban Pack in TST I paid with my Revolut Mastercard and it went through instantly. No extra fee was added. Hop Inn also took card but they asked if I could pay cash first which I declined, and they were fine with it. I noticed that even small hostels usually have a card terminal in HK, but it's always a good idea to confirm during booking just in case.