Fill up on petrol and withdraw cash in Chitral town, then again at Booni and Mastuj if you are going up the valley. Beyond Chitral, cash machines are rare, fuel stops are few and far apart, and neither the internet nor the roads can be relied on after a flood. Plan on carrying more cash than you think you need, and never let the tank go below half on the Chitral to Shandur road.
Few guides give names and locations for pumps and ATMs, because they change. This one sticks to what travel reports and bank listings confirm, says where we found nothing, and gives rules that hold whatever the exact pump.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Best place for cash | Chitral town, which has the main bank branches and ATMs |
| Upper Chitral | Booni has bank branches with ATM, listed by the banks themselves |
| Kalash valleys | No ATM found in Bumburet; withdraw in Chitral first |
| Fuel on the valley road | Reports mention Booni and Mastuj |
| Beyond Shandur | Reports mention Phander and Gupis on the Gilgit side |
| Mobile and internet | Patchy; the main link was cut for about 22 hours in August 2026 |
Where do you withdraw cash in Chitral?
Chitral town is the place to do it. It is the district headquarters and has the main bank branches, including an HBL branch in the town listed in the bank's ATM directory. Other banks may have branches too, but check which machines are working on the day, because a machine can be empty or offline, especially around Eid and in the tourist season when many people withdraw at once.
Take out enough for the whole trip, not just the next day. The usual spend you cannot put on a card includes jeep hire, guesthouse bills, meals, park and valley fees and tips. For an idea of how much a trip costs, see our Chitral trip cost guide.
Are there ATMs in Upper Chitral and Booni?
Booni, the headquarters of Upper Chitral, has bank branches. Bank of Khyber's Islamic banking branch in Booni Bazar lists an ATM, and Bank Islami also lists a Booni branch. We could not confirm how reliable those machines are in the tourist season, or whether any other town higher up the valley has one. Treat Booni as a possible top-up, never as your only source.
Further up, at Mastuj and in the Laspur and Yarkhun valleys, we found no verified ATM. Assume cash only from Mastuj onwards.
What about the Kalash valleys?
Travel writers who have been to Bumburet say there is no ATM there, so cash must come from Chitral town, about 36 km away by jeep road. Guesthouses in the valleys generally take cash, and Rumbur rooms were listed at about PKR 2,000 to 3,000 per person depending on the season. Small notes help, because change is hard to find. See our Kalash Valley guide for the villages.
Where do you get petrol and diesel?
On the Chitral to Gilgit route, which is the one covered in most detail, reports advise filling up fully after leaving Gilgit, then at Gupis and at Mastuj, with pumps also mentioned at Phander and Booni. We found no report of fuel at Shandur Top, so cross with a full tank. Our Shandur Pass guide and Chitral to Gilgit via Shandur cover the route.
Some practical rules:
- Fill up in Chitral town before heading to the valleys or up the Yarkhun.
- Top up at Booni and Mastuj even if the tank is half full. The next pump may be a long way off.
- Do not trust a "defeated-looking" station. A rider's guide suggests sticking to well-known brands such as PSO, Shell, Attock or Go where you can, because poor fuel is a risk with small independent pumps.
- Carry spare fuel in a proper container if your vehicle has a small tank or you plan a side trip.
- Jeep drivers handle the fuel on hired trips. Agree beforehand who pays for it, and whether the quote includes it. See Chitral jeep rental.
What happens after a flood or road closure?
Pumps and machines depend on roads and power. On 3 August 2026, flash floods and glacial outbursts closed the Chitral to Peshawar highway and the Chitral to Shandur road, and a petrol station and vehicles were swept away at Gumbas Gol in Lower Chitral. The district's main fibre-optic link was cut and internet was suspended for nearly 22 hours. While it was down, card payments and online banking would have been unusable.
So the rule is simple: carry cash in small notes, keep the tank above half on any road beyond Chitral, and keep a day of food and water in the vehicle. Our Chitral road condition guide and the flood risk guide explain why roads close.
How much cash should you take?
We cannot give a single figure, because it depends on how you travel. Work it out from three lines: the jeep and driver for each day, the nights of accommodation with meals, and a reserve. Add about a quarter for a closed road and an extra night. Prices change, so confirm rates with the guesthouse or driver beforehand.
Keep the cash split between two places on your person and in the vehicle, and keep it dry.
Is it safe to carry cash in Chitral?
Carrying cash is normal and the usual precautions apply: keep it out of sight and do not count it in public. The wider safety picture matters more. The UK government's Pakistan travel advice, updated on 22 September 2026, advises against all travel to the Kalash valleys and along the N45 from Mardan to Chitral city, and to Upper and Lower Dir. Pakistani visitors still travel to Chitral, but check local news and police advice, and overseas visitors should note that their own government's advice can void insurance. See is Chitral safe and our travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Are there ATMs in Chitral?
Yes, in Chitral town, which has the main bank branches. Machines can be empty or offline, so withdraw early and take extra.
Is there an ATM in Kalash Valley?
Travel writers report none in Bumburet. Withdraw in Chitral town before you go.
Is there a petrol pump in Mastuj?
Travel reports mention fuel at Mastuj and Booni. Fill up at both anyway, and carry spare if you can.
Where is the last petrol pump before Shandur?
Reports advise filling at Booni and Mastuj on the Chitral side and at Gupis and Phander on the Gilgit side. We found no fuel reported at the top.
Will my debit card work in Chitral?
Often in town, rarely beyond. Internet and power failures are common, so carry cash.
