Want to avoid last-minute ATM runs. Do most hostels in Albania take card payments at check-in
Stayed in Tirana, Shkodër, and Vlorë. Larger hostels listed on booking.com usually accept cards, but family-run places? Always cash. I made ATM runs twice because I assumed wrong
Some do take cards but many smaller places prefer cash. The one I stayed at in Berat accepted Visa but not Mastercard. Weird. I still carried 10,000 lek in cash just to avoid surprises.
nah, don’t count on cards everywhere. even in saranda i had to pay cash at 2 diff hostels. they say “machine broken” or “only for Albanians.” bring enough lek or change EUR.
I stayed at 3 hostels in Tirana and Gjirokastër,only one took cards. The others were cash only and told me when I arrived. Best to message them ahead or bring some euros to exchange just in case.