Since we arrived to Croatia, we have been using a combination of cash and credit cards depending if accepted or not, to pay for certain things, so I prepared a quick guide by country, that might be useful to some.
Croatia: Major credit cards (Visa & MC) were accepted at grocery stores and big restaurants (not Amex). No minimum purchase was necessary and no extra fees were added. For the rest we took out cash (in local currency: Kuna) at ATM's that do not charge an extra fee. Bosnia & Hercegovina: Same as Croatia, cards were accepted at grocery stores with no min or fees. The euro was also widely accepted at souvenir shops etc. but not at snack stands (at a rate of 1 euro = 2 marka). We didn't take out any cash since we could get by with Euros mostly at a better rate than on XE at the time (http://www.xe.com). Even at the hostel we exchanged some euros at the actual XE rate so better than taking out money and paying 2.5% conversion fee + International ATM fee. Some restaurants took Euros slightly below the daily exchange rate but not at a 2.5% loss. Overall this worked for us since we were only there for a few days. Montenegro: All three cards were good here including Amex at grocery stores & no fees. It was the only place were Amex was also accepted. For the rest, Montenegro has Euros luckily. Also we found some ATM's in Montenegro that only have a small maximum, it's ATM depended (and of course it also depends on the personal maximum bank withdrawal available). Since we needed Euros for a while it was worth searching for an ATM with the biggest maximum withdrawal option. Kosovo: Also has Euros which is great. (Both countries aren't EU members yet but use the currency). Restaurants and bigger stores all accepted Visa and M/C, no fees. Macedonia: Euros are not really accepted so we took out cash at an ATM with no fees. Stores and restaurants take cards. Furthermore domestic long distance bus tickets can be bought with cards (in Skopje), nowhere else in the Balkans "so far" was this an option. It's too bad since we had a lot of expenses in this category but always had to pay with cash. In all the above countries, hostels did not accept cards just cash (even though hostelworld stated the contrary). Air BnB can be paid in full with all cards. Albania: Cards are good at bigger grocery stores, but not at small ones such as in towns. It was very difficult finding an ATM that would give us cash. Tried 8 or so. Most did support the Visa plus or Maestro, but would not spit out the money. Exchange office did give a great rate for our Macedonian currency, almost XE rate and no commission. Definitely a cash country. Greece: Cards were good at the bigger supermarket but not common for some reason, it seems people prefer cash. We used cash for the buses and trains. Bulgaria: Cards worked for bus tickets and at grocery stores (except for Amex). Cash needed for snack stands. Hostel didn't take cards unfortunately. Serbia: Surprisingly credit cards (M/C, Amex & Visa) were widely accepted including at the bus station, grocery stores, restaurants and even at a souvenir store. Furthermore this was the "first" time in the Balkans, a hostel accepted credit cards. Cash needed for markets and smaller eateries. Exchange rates best at exchange offices (almost XE rate), helps to shop around. Romania: Credit cards good for trains, and at most stores (Amex also works at some grocery stores). Exchange offices give good rates as well. Even some hostels took cards which was great. We managed to get by with just little cash for city buses, souvenirs and some smaller restaurants. Moldova: Visa was surprisingly widely accepted at restaurants, grocery stores and at the train station. No extra fees, ATM gave a maximum of 5000 lei ($400). Transnistria: Cash only, currency is not on the XE anyways. But they do have their own, the ruble. Conversion rates at booths are at 2.5% loss (same as credit cards). Ukraine: Cards everywhere, except for Amex. Hostels, restaurants, shops all take Visa and M/C at no additional fee. Exchange rates at booths were only good for the Euro (0.01% loss), but absolutely terrible for Moldovan Lei. Other useful links: Balkanviator (http://www.balkanviator.com) To search for buses in the Balkans. It is extensive and shows most buses, however some are not running anymore or at different times so it's best to check at the stations. Good website nonetheless since it's in English and it does show most buses.
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