Do hostels in Cyprus accept cards or only cash?

Cyprus overall is card-friendly, but the exception is northern hostels. I stayed in Nicosia on the south side - no problem paying by card - but when I moved across the checkpoint, the first hostel wanted cash immediately. Euros work in the south, lira in the north. ATMs are reliable in both zones, but don’t depend on them at the last minute. If you want to avoid stress, always carry some cash before crossing between regions.

In my experience, most hostels in Cyprus proper (Nicosia, Paphos, Ayia Napa) accept card without hesitation. It’s pretty modern. But the second you’re in the north, it becomes cash-heavy. I had to pay in lira in Famagusta. ATMs weren’t hard to find, but you don’t want to be rushing to one at night. If your itinerary includes both sides of Cyprus, better to prepare cash for the north. The south is safe for card use.

I paid with card easily in Limassol and Larnaca hostels, but when I crossed into North Cyprus, the family-run hostel only wanted cash. It seems more professional hostels in the south are fully set up with card machines, while in the north it’s hit-or-miss. Carrying some euros and lira saves a lot of stress. You’ll find ATMs everywhere, but fees vary. If avoiding last-minute ATM runs is your goal, always bring a cash cushion when moving between regions.

Cyprus is split between the Republic and the north, so it really depends where you are. In Nicosia on the Greek side, every hostel I stayed in took card payments, no issues. But in the north, around Kyrenia, the small hostel I booked insisted on cash in Turkish lira. ATMs from Bank of Cyprus or Hellenic Bank are fine in the south, while Ziraat and İşbank ATMs in the north worked for me. Don’t assume both sides have the same policy.