Want to avoid last-minute ATM runs. Do most hostels in Russia take card payments at check-in
Before sanctions, Moscow and St. Petersburg hostels always accepted cards, but right now the situation is different. Many foreign Visa and Mastercard cards no longer work due to restrictions. Hostels technically have card readers, but they often only process local Mir cards. When I traveled recently, every hostel required cash in rubles. ATMs from Sberbank and VTB still function for locals, but foreign cards may not. If you want to avoid last-minute ATM runs, bring cash in rubles, because international cards won’t help.
My place near Kazan Cathedral had a card machine but wouldn’t take my UK card. They weren’t rude about it, just shrugged and asked for cash. Had to run to find a working ATM before I could get my room key. Lesson: never arrive in Russia assuming your card will work like it does in other countries. Bring cash for check-in.
I booked a co-living style hostel near Red October and they were upfront: cash only. Said it was due to “foreign card issues” post-2022. They let me reserve online with no payment, but I had to pay in rubles when I got there. A few bigger hostels had terminals, but again-only worked with Russian MIR cards. Don’t count on your Visa or Amex at check-in.
In St. Petersburg, my hostel accepted cards-but only Russian-issued ones. My foreign Mastercard got rejected, even though the terminal worked fine for others. I ended up paying in cash. Might be due to the current banking issues, so I’d suggest carrying enough cash just in case. It’s super awkward to be stuck trying to pay late at night.
The hostel I stayed at near Kurskaya in Moscow only took cash-even though their site said card accepted. Guy at the front desk apologized and pointed me to the nearest ATM (which, of course, didn't work with my card). Since then, I just message the hostel ahead of time and confirm payment options. It’s not consistent.