Travelling soon - any advice if hostels accept cards in Thailand or I have to give them cash
Chiang Mai hostel asked for cash even though I booked with card. I booked via Hostelworld and prepaid 15%, but when I arrived, they said the balance had to be paid in cash only, no card terminal. Luckily, there was an ATM next door. Friendly staff, but no heads-up. Now I always message ahead if I'm relying on card - saves the panic.
Cash was king in Pai. Stayed at 3 hostels in Pai and Mae Hong Son loop - all wanted cash, no exceptions. Booking was online, but at check-in, they asked for full payment in Thai Baht. No ATM nearby at one stop, had to borrow from a friend. My advice: always keep some emergency cash for hostels in the north or rural spots.
Booked a hostel in Sukhumvit, Bangkok - yes, they accepted card, but only for payments over 500 THB, and they added a 2.5% fee for using Visa removed link So I ended up withdrawing cash anyway. Lesson: always ask about fees before you hand over your card. Smaller hostels usually prefer cash to avoid bank fees.
Travelling soon - any advice if hostels accept cards in Thailand or I have to give them cash
Big cities = cards, islands = cash
Stayed in hostels across Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Koh Tao this April. All the ones in Bangkok and Chiang Mai took card, no issues. But once I hit the islands, especially Koh Tao and Koh Lanta, most hostels asked for cash on arrival - even if I booked online. A few had card machines but charged a 3% fee. Always carry at least 2,000 THB in cash for check-in, just in case.