ATMs in Gilgit-Baltistan exist only in the bigger towns, mainly Gilgit and Skardu, with a handful more in Aliabad and Karimabad in Hunza, and even those can run out of cash or lose their connection for a day or two. Card payments are accepted at some hotels and almost nowhere else. The safe approach is to draw most of what you need before you leave Islamabad or Rawalpindi and treat any working machine in the north as a bonus, not a plan.
This guide covers where ATMs actually work, which banks have them, how mobile wallets fit in, and roughly how much cash to carry.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Reliable ATM towns | Gilgit, Skardu |
| Limited ATM towns | Aliabad and Karimabad (Hunza) |
| Almost no ATMs | Everywhere else: Ghizer, upper Hunza, Nagar, Astore, Khaplu, Shigar, the Neelum-style side valleys |
| Card acceptance | A few larger hotels only; almost nowhere else |
| Best plan | Carry most cash from Islamabad, split between two people |
| Mobile wallets | JazzCash and Easypaisa agents exist in main bazaars, useful for topping up but not a substitute for cash on hand |
Where ATMs actually work
Gilgit and Skardu, the two largest towns in the region, are where you have the best chance of a working cash machine, with branches and ATMs from several national banks. Between them, machines run by HBL, National Bank of Pakistan, Allied Bank, Bank Al Habib and Askari Bank have been reported working in these towns.
Aliabad and Karimabad, the commercial centre and the tourist hub of Hunza, have a smaller number of ATMs, including HBL, Soneri Bank, National Bank of Pakistan and Allied Bank machines along the main road. Do not assume all of them will be working or stocked with cash on any given day.
Everywhere else — Ghizer, upper Hunza beyond Aliabad, Nagar, Astore, Khaplu, Shigar and the smaller Neelum-style side valleys — has few or no ATMs at all. Plan on cash for the whole time you are away from Gilgit, Skardu or central Hunza.
Why you can't rely on a machine, even where one exists
Three separate problems show up regularly, and any one of them can leave a working-looking ATM useless:
- The machine runs out of cash, especially during the summer tourist season and around Eid, when demand is highest and refilling a remote branch takes time.
- The connection drops. Mountain internet and power supply are not as steady as in the cities, and an ATM offline for a day is common rather than unusual.
- Power cuts are routine in the region, more so in winter, and can take a machine out of service along with everything else.
None of this is unique to any one bank. Treat every ATM in the region as something that might not work when you need it, not as a fallback for running short.
Card payments: rare outside a few hotels
Card machines exist at some of the larger hotels in Gilgit, Karimabad, Skardu and Hunza's better-known resorts, and almost nowhere else. Jeeps, park entry fees, most guesthouses, restaurants outside the main hotels, and every roadside stop are cash only. Don't count on paying by card for anything except a hotel bill, and even then, ask before you check in rather than assuming.
Mobile wallets and SCOM
JazzCash and Easypaisa agents operate in the main bazaars of Gilgit, Skardu and Hunza, and both have real reach into smaller towns through their agent networks, useful mainly for topping up a phone or sending money rather than as a way to pay for everyday purchases. SCOM, the network built specifically for the region, carries its own S-Paisa wallet and tends to have the most consistent signal in remote valleys where other networks drop out; our guide to which SIM works in Gilgit-Baltistan covers coverage in more detail. None of this replaces carrying physical cash, since most transactions on the ground, from a jeep driver to a fruit seller, expect notes.
How much cash to carry
There is no fixed number that suits everyone, and how much you need depends on your itinerary, group size and how many park fees and jeep hires are ahead of you; our guide to the Gilgit-Baltistan trip cost helps with working that out. As a rule of practice rather than a quoted figure:
- Draw most of your cash in Islamabad or Rawalpindi before you leave, where ATMs are plentiful and reliable.
- Split it between two people or two bags, so a lost wallet is not a lost trip.
- Keep smaller notes for jeeps, park fees and bazaar purchases, since change can be hard to find in small shops.
- Top up in Gilgit or Skardu if a machine is working, rather than counting on it.
What to do if you run short
If you find yourself short of cash in a smaller town, a hotel or guesthouse will sometimes help with a bank transfer arrangement or hold your card until you can pay in Gilgit or Skardu, but this is a favour, not a service to rely on. The better approach is always to over-carry cash at the start of the trip rather than try to solve a shortfall once you are deep in a valley with no ATM for hours in any direction.
Frequently asked questions
Are there ATMs in Hunza?
A limited number, in Aliabad and Karimabad, run by HBL, Soneri Bank, National Bank of Pakistan and Allied Bank among others. They can run out of cash or lose connection, so don't rely on them.
Do hotels in Gilgit-Baltistan accept cards?
Some of the larger hotels in Gilgit, Karimabad and Skardu accept cards. Most guesthouses, restaurants and every jeep, park fee and bazaar purchase is cash only.
How much cash should I carry to Gilgit-Baltistan?
There is no fixed figure, since it depends on your itinerary and group size. The safe approach is to draw most of what you expect to need in Islamabad or Rawalpindi and carry more than you think you'll use.
Does JazzCash or Easypaisa work in Gilgit-Baltistan?
Agents for both operate in the main bazaars and are useful for mobile top-ups and money transfers, but they don't replace cash for everyday spending on jeeps, food and fees.
Which bank has the most ATMs in Gilgit-Baltistan?
No single bank covers the whole region. HBL, National Bank of Pakistan and Allied Bank between them have the widest spread of machines across Gilgit, Skardu, Aliabad and Karimabad, but coverage outside those towns is thin to non-existent.
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