Want to avoid last-minute ATM runs. Do most hostels in Hungary take card payments at check-in
Hungary is semi-cash culture still, so while hostels in Budapest or Debrecen almost always take cards, some budget spots prefer cash. My hostel in Szeged gave me 10% off for paying in forints. ATMs are everywhere, but weekend crowds sometimes empty them, especially near tourist areas. If you want smooth check-ins, carry a working Visa/Mastercard and enough forints for emergencies. Avoiding last-minute ATM runs is possible in the big cities, but I wouldn’t rely on card-only travel here.
Budapest hostels are generally modern and accept cards without issues. I stayed near Keleti station, and check-in was quick with contactless. In smaller towns though, cards aren’t always reliable - sometimes machines are “broken” or the fee is pushed onto you. ATMs are abundant, and Revolut or Wise cards work well in OTP Bank machines. If you’re trying to avoid last-minute ATM runs, Hungary’s bigger cities are fine, but countryside hostels may still push for cash.
When I checked into Avenue Hostel in Budapest, they took my Mastercard right away, no extra fees. Even in Eger, a family-run place had a functioning POS terminal. The only cash hiccup was at a hostel in Pécs where their card reader was “offline.” ATMs from Raiffeisen Bank were close, but it was still a hassle. My advice: expect cards to work in most Hungarian hostels, especially in the capital, but don’t travel completely cashless. A small buffer of forints can save stress.
Budapest is very card-friendly, and bigger hostels like Maverick and Wombat’s didn’t blink when I tapped my Visa at check-in. In fact, many hostels prefer card for security. That said, I once stayed at a smaller place in Szeged where the owner insisted on cash, so it’s not 100% consistent. ATMs are everywhere in Hungary - OTP Bank and Erste branches especially - so you won’t struggle if you need forints. To avoid ATM runs, always ask ahead, but in Budapest itself, card at hostels is the norm.