Pakistan runs on cash outside its biggest hotels and shops, and the safest plan for most tourists is to arrive with clean US dollars, change what you need through a licensed exchange dealer, and carry more cash than you would in a country with wider card acceptance. This guide covers exchanging currency, what ATMs and cards actually do here, and how much to keep on you once you leave the main cities.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Currency | Pakistani rupee (PKR) |
| Best foreign currency to bring | US dollars or euros, recent notes |
| Where to exchange | Licensed exchange dealers in cities, or your bank |
| Card acceptance | Common in city hotels and restaurants, patchy elsewhere |
| ATMs outside cities | Sparse in the northern valleys; carry cash for several days at a time |
| ATM withdrawal fee | Typically PKR 600–1,000 per transaction for a foreign card, on top of your own bank's charges |
Exchanging money in Pakistan
US dollars and euros are the easiest foreign currencies to change. Bring notes printed after 2005, in good condition, without tears, marks or excessive creasing — damaged or old notes are routinely refused or exchanged at a poor rate.
Change money through a licensed exchange dealer (look for State Bank of Pakistan authorisation on display) rather than an informal money changer on the street. Airport exchange counters are convenient the moment you land, but their rates tend to run a few percent worse than a city bureau, so change only enough for your first day or two at the airport and do the rest once you reach a city exchange market. Banks can also exchange currency, though queues and paperwork usually make dedicated exchange dealers quicker.
Using ATMs with a foreign card
ATMs are common in Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi and other major cities, and most accept international Visa and Mastercard-branded cards. Two costs stack up on a foreign withdrawal:
- The Pakistani bank's own fee. Many machines charge a flat access fee to foreign cards, commonly in the PKR 600–1,000 range, and a few charge a percentage instead.
- Your home bank's foreign transaction fee. This is separate and set by your own bank or card provider, often a fixed charge plus a percentage of the amount withdrawn.
Withdrawal limits per transaction vary by bank and machine, commonly somewhere between PKR 20,000 and 100,000, so a larger cash need may mean several withdrawals. Because of the stacked fees, it is usually cheaper to withdraw a larger amount less often than to make frequent small withdrawals.
Outside the main cities, ATMs thin out fast. In the northern valleys — Hunza, Skardu, upper Chitral, Neelum — machines are limited to the larger towns, and they occasionally run out of cash or go offline. Don't rely on finding one once you're travelling day to day in the mountains; our guide to ATMs in the northern areas covers where they actually are.
Where cards work and where they don't
Card payments have grown in Pakistan's cities. International hotel chains, larger restaurants and shopping malls in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi generally accept Visa and Mastercard. Once you're outside that circle — local restaurants, bazaars, fuel stations, most guesthouses in the northern areas, taxis and porters — cash is the only practical option. Tour and trekking operators may take a card or bank transfer for the booking itself, but day-to-day spending on the ground is cash.
How much cash to carry
Work out roughly what you'll spend per day — meals, fuel, entry fees, small purchases — and carry several days' worth in cash once you leave a city with reliable ATMs. On a northern-areas trip this matters more than usual: between Karimabad, Skardu and the valleys around them, there may be a day or two of driving between towns with a working ATM. Keep some cash split between your wallet and your bag rather than all in one place, and keep a reserve for park entry fees and border-area permits, most of which are collected in cash on the spot.
A few practical habits
- Count and check notes when you receive change; a torn or heavily worn rupee note can be hard to spend on afterwards.
- Small denomination notes are useful for tips, tea stalls and toll booths where a large note may not be broken.
- Keep your currency exchange receipts if you plan to convert leftover rupees back before leaving — some banks and exchange counters ask for them.
For the wider practical picture of travelling in Pakistan, our travel guide covers the basics visitors ask about most, from documents to timing a trip. If you're still working out a budget, our guide to northern areas trip costs breaks down what a typical trip spends money on.
Frequently asked questions
Should I bring US dollars or exchange money before I arrive?
Bring US dollars or euros and exchange them once you're in Pakistan; rates at home are generally worse. Change a small amount at the airport for immediate needs, then use a city exchange dealer for the rest.
Do ATMs in Pakistan accept foreign cards?
Yes, most ATMs in cities and larger towns accept international Visa and Mastercard cards, though a fee applies and machines become far less reliable once you're in the northern valleys.
Can I pay by card everywhere in Pakistan?
No. Cards work in city hotels, bigger restaurants and malls, but cash is needed almost everywhere else, including most of the northern areas.
How much cash should I carry in the northern areas?
Enough for several days at a time, since ATMs are limited to the larger towns and can be unreliable. Carry cash for fuel, food, entry fees and any permits along your route.
Are old or damaged dollar notes accepted in Pakistan?
Generally no. Bring notes printed after 2005 in clean, undamaged condition, or expect them to be refused or exchanged at a poor rate.
