Can you book Seychelles apartments on Booking.com without an international card and pay cash on arrival?

From messages by 2 participants in 1 source · Last activity: 77 days ago

TL;DR

Yes, you can make a Booking.com reservation using a Russian card, then message the host to arrange cash payment on arrival. Booking directly with the owner typically offers no discount — prices match Booking.com listings.

What the community said

Another option: ask the apartment owner to pay for the Booking.com reservation themselves using their own card, then hand them cash directly upon arrival.

Owner pays online + cash instead of guest's card

Contacting apartment owners directly yielded the same price as listed on Booking.com — no discount for bypassing the platform.

The workaround works: book on Booking.com using a Russian card (the reservation goes through), then message the host explaining you have no international card and will pay cash on arrival. This method was successfully used to book three separate apartments.

Booking.com + cash on arrival

Beyond apartment costs, bring cash euros for car rental and the tourist tax — these are separate expenses not covered by the accommodation booking.

Cash euros needed: car rental + tourist tax