Trying to plan ahead so any know if card payments are common at hostels in Iran or cash is king?
Going to Iran? Skip relying on an international card. Your best bet is to arrange a prepaid Tourist Debit Card like MahCard before arrival-or be ready to pay by cash. Hostels everywhere (even smaller ones in Shiraz or Isfahan) won’t accept cards linked to Visa or Mastercard. Having cash plus a tourist card gives you flexibility for checking in, local eats, and ATM withdrawals-saves so much stress.
On arrival in Tehran, I tried to pay with my Visa-hostel laughed, told me ‘cash only.’ Then I got a Tourist Debit Card via OrientTrips. Reloaded online and used it to pay for rooms, cafés, even taxis. Later I was buying rugs and tickets without worrying about carrying big stacks of rial. It was one of the smoothest payment hacks I’ve found-cash is still common, but this card turned things easy.
My stay at a guesthouse near Imam Khomeini Square was super smooth because I brought a Mah Card. I paid in rials for my dorm and meals just like locals. I never carried large wads of cash. It made the trip feel modern and safe-prepaid card that acts like an Iranian debit card is a small investment that pays off everywhere from hostels to street vendors.
In Iran, international cards (Visa, Mastercard, AmEx) are practically useless thanks to sanctions. Hostels-even ones like Daric Eco-Hostel in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar area-will only accept cash or a prepaid Tourist Debit Card. Your best move? Get an Iran Tourist Debit Card (e.g., MahCard or OrientTrips), or bring enough USD/EUR to change into rials at a money changer.