Honestly, even locals prefer cash for small stays. ATMs can run empty and card terminals are unreliable. If you’re backpacking through Nigeria, always...

My stay in Mozambique was great, but if you’re planning ahead, note that cash is king. Booking sites may let you reserve online but the bill at check-...

I did a two-week stay and found that hostels usually quoted in tugrik and preferred notes at check-in. Some would let you transfer via bank app, but i...

Malta was easy when it came to payments. My hostels in Valletta and Sliema both had working terminals, and contactless worked every time. Carry a bit ...

My advice: don’t expect to use a card in Madagascar hostels. The two I stayed at in Antananarivo and one in Nosy Be were strictly cash only. ATMs from...

Liechtenstein isn’t like other backpacking spots where cash is king. In Vaduz, my hostel and even small guesthouses were happy to take my card. UBS an...

I backpacked across Kyrgyzstan, and card acceptance was almost nonexistent in hostels. The one I stayed at in Karakol said their terminal had “never w...

Personally, I’d say cash is still king in Kuwaiti hostels. Mine in Salmiya requested cash, though the bigger hotels in Kuwait City took my Mastercard ...

Jersey was very straightforward. My hostel in St Helier only accepted card, and even preferred it. I had a Revolut card and it worked instantly. I bar...