Do hostels in Saudi Arabia accept cards or only cash?

This happened to me in Jeddah back in May right outside a SNB (Saudi National Bank) branch near Al Andalus Mall. I inserted my Australian NAB Visa card into the ATM, the screen just froze, and nothing came out. No error, no explanation. I went inside the branch right away, and they told me the machine was owned by SNB but it would only be serviced the next day. Since it was a Friday, they couldn’t retrieve it until Sunday. I ended up blocking the card via my bank app and had a replacement sent to my hotel in Riyadh later. Best thing to do is call the bank that owns the ATM immediately their number is usually printed right on the machine and also notify your home bank so they freeze or cancel the card

I was in Mecca during Ramadan and stayed at a small hostel-style guesthouse about 15 minutes from the Haram. The owner didn’t have a card machine so I had to pay in cash at check-in. I had assumed they would take cards because I booked online with my German N26 card but turns out the booking site just took a reservation and the actual payment had to be made in person. Luckily there was a Bank Aljazira ATM nearby. From what I saw in Mecca, smaller hostels and religious guesthouses often prefer cash, while hotels and bigger places accept cards.

I spent four nights at Al Eairy Apartments in Jeddah and while it was more of a budget hostel setup than a classic dorm-style hostel they did accept card payment. I used my French Amex during booking and at check-in they swiped it without issues. But I saw another traveler who had a prepaid card from India that didn’t go through so they had to walk to an ATM to pay in cash. My advice is yes most places in Jeddah take cards at check-in but always bring a Visa or Mastercard just to be safe. Some places still reject Amex or digital-only cards like Wise.

I stayed at Artal Hostel in Riyadh this June and paid for everything using my UK Monzo Mastercard. They accepted the card at check-in with no problem and even took it for a late checkout charge on my last day. They had a card machine at the front desk and emailed me a receipt. I asked if they ever needed cash and they said they were trying to go fully cashless. There were a few other travelers from Germany and Turkey checking in too and all of them paid with Visa or debit cards. You won’t need cash for hostel check-ins in Riyadh unless it’s a really small or old-school place.