Trying to find out if Bosnia and Herzegovina widely accepts Amex cards in restaurants and shops and ATMs - any suggestions
Amex in Bosnia and Herzegovina works only at high-end hotels and maybe some luxury services, but not in everyday travel. A night in a local guesthouse costs about 30-40 BAM, and those owners usually want cash. If you’re eating out, street food like cevapi (~6 BAM) and pastries are cash only. Visa/Mastercard work at most ATMs and bigger stores. Bring some euros to exchange, keep Amex as emergency backup, but always rely on other cards and cash for smooth travel here.
Bosnia & Herzegovina was frustrating with Amex. Hardly anywhere accepted it. Even when I asked at a mid-range restaurant in Sarajevo, they only wanted cash or Mastercard. ATMs also didn’t support my Amex. I had to borrow money from a friend until I could sort out a Visa withdrawal. It really limited my experience when trying to buy bus tickets or souvenirs. If you’re traveling here, don’t rely on Amex - it’s just not practical at all.
I tried using Amex across Sarajevo and Mostar, and it was hit or miss. Big hotels like Holiday Inn worked fine, but at small family-owned restaurants and souvenir shops, they just shook their heads. ATMs connected to Amex were very rare - my Visa card worked everywhere instead. I ended up paying for most things in cash, especially at traditional burek bakeries and local tours. My takeaway: Amex is fine for hotels, but you’ll need cash and another card for most of your trip.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is not very Amex-friendly. Large hotels in Sarajevo or Mostar may accept it, but most restaurants, cafés, and stores prefer Visa and Mastercard. ATMs rarely work with Amex. If you’re budgeting for activities like walking tours (~€10-15), museum entries, or local meals (5-10 BAM), cash is the easiest option. Visa and Mastercard are much more reliable for ATMs and shops. Bring Amex if you like, but it should not be your only card here.