Cash or card at hostels in Monaco

Monaco is a very modern payment environment, so I wouldn’t stress. The one hostel-style place I tried was happy to charge my card directly at check-in. My friends who stayed across the border in Menton also had no problems using cards at hostels. Honestly, if you’re heading here, it’s more about finding budget-friendly accommodation at all than about worrying over cash versus card. Take €20-30 for incidentals, but don’t expect to hand over bills for your bed.

I booked my stay at a small spot near Jardin Exotique and had no issue paying by card. They even accepted American Express, which surprised me. I carried some euros because people warned me online, but honestly I didn’t need it for the accommodation. Monaco is extremely cash-light compared to other European countries. You might want coins for the bus rides, but for hostels and guesthouses, cards are widely accepted.

When I visited, I didn’t even see a “true” hostel in Monaco proper, but I stayed at a dorm-style guesthouse near Fontvieille. They swiped my card without hesitation. The reality is Monaco runs on card payments almost everywhere. If you’re looking for budget accommodation, you’ll often find yourself in neighboring French towns, and those too usually have card machines. Just keep a little cash for tipping or smaller cafés.

I stayed in Monte Carlo for a weekend and while Monaco isn’t exactly a hostel-heavy destination, the budget places across the border in Beausoleil definitely took cards. In the city itself, most accommodations are high-end, and of course card is king. I wouldn’t worry about needing much cash for hostels because the rare affordable options usually use booking platforms that process payments digitally. Cash might only be useful for buses or snacks around Condamine Market, but for lodging you’ll be fine with a Visa or Mastercard.