June 2026 · 7 min · By Bilal Hussain
Money in Pakistan: Cash, Cards, ATMs and Exchange
Cash is king once you leave the cities. Here's what to carry, where to change it, and what tips look like.
The Pakistani Rupee (PKR) is the only legal currency. money in pakistan travellers think about runs on a simple rule: cards in five-star hotels and city restaurants, cash everywhere else, especially in the mountains. Plan for a cash economy and you'll be fine.
The currency
PKR notes circulate in 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 and 5,000. The 5,000 note is hard to break in small shops, keep a wad of 500s and 1,000s. As of mid-2026 the rate is roughly 1 USD ≈ 280 PKR, 1 EUR ≈ 305, 1 GBP ≈ 355. Rates fluctuate; check on the day.
Cash vs cards
- Cards accepted: 5★ hotels (Serena, Marriott, PC), upmarket city restaurants, airline ticketing, a few large supermarkets.
- Cards not accepted: mountain lodges, almost all restaurants outside major cities, fuel stations, bazaars, drivers, guides, jeep cooperatives, fort-hotels' bar tabs.
- Bring two cards on different networks (Visa + Mastercard). Some ATMs accept one but not the other.
- Notify your bank before travel, Pakistan triggers fraud locks on roughly half of first-use foreign cards.
ATMs, where they work
- Reliable: Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Multan, Rawalpindi.
- Usually works: Gilgit, Skardu, Chitral, Gilgit-area Karimabad branches.
- Don't count on it: Sost, Chapursan, Khaplu town and beyond, Kalash, Astore.
Use the bigger Pakistani bank ATMs, HBL, UBL, MCB, Standard Chartered. Per-transaction limit is typically PKR 25,000-50,000 (USD 90-180). Withdraw early in cities to stock cash for the mountain leg.
Exchanging USD, EUR, GBP
Money changers in Islamabad and Lahore give better rates than banks. Bring crisp, unmarked notes, post-2017 series for USD. Old, torn or marked notes are discounted or refused. Exchange at the airport for the first day's costs, then in the city for the bulk. Hotels exchange at poor rates, avoid except in emergencies.
How much cash to carry
For a private trip where your operator has pre-paid hotels, vehicles and meals: USD 200-400 per traveller per week is plenty for personal items, tips, drinks and shopping. Carry it split, money belt, day bag, hotel safe. For independent travel: USD 30-60 per day on a comfort budget. Always carry USD 200 in cash as backup; it works as a universal solver in a country where many things go offline.
Tipping
| Who | Suggested tip |
|---|---|
| Trip guide | USD 10-15 per traveller per day |
| Driver | USD 5-8 per traveller per day |
| Porter (trek) | USD 8-12 per porter per day, pooled at end |
| Hotel housekeeping | PKR 200-500 per night |
| Restaurant | 10% if no service charge, less if added |
| Airport baggage handler | PKR 200 per bag |
Tip in PKR not USD where possible, easier to spend. Tip the guide and driver at the end of the trip, in an envelope, not in front of others. We brief on amounts in your final pre-trip pack.
Common money mistakes
- Changing money at the airport for the whole trip, bad rate, no need.
- Trusting unsealed bottled water, pay 20 rupees more for the sealed brand.
- Accepting old or marked dollar notes back as change, refuse.
- Carrying all cash in one pocket, split it.
- Assuming the mountain lodge takes cards, it doesn't.
Q. How much money do I need per day in Pakistan?
Backpacker: USD 25-40 per day. Mid-range independent: USD 80-150. Private operator clients spend USD 20-50 per day in cash on personal items on top of the prepaid trip. The all-in private trip cost is a separate question, see our cost guide.
Q. Is Pakistan an expensive country?
No. Food, transport and labour are cheap by international standards. The expensive parts of a Pakistan trip are the top-tier hotels (Serena, Shigar Fort) and internal flights, which are still less than their equivalents in India or East Africa.
Q. Can I use US dollars to pay directly?
Almost never in shops. Some hotels in Islamabad and Lahore quote in USD on the invoice but expect payment in PKR or by card. Always convert to PKR for everyday spending.
Q. Is bargaining expected?
In bazaars and with taxis (without meter), yes. In shops with price tags and in restaurants, no. Start at 60-70% of the asking price and meet in the middle. Stay friendly, bargaining is a conversation, not a fight.
Q. Are travellers' cheques accepted?
No. They are functionally extinct in Pakistan. Use cards + cash + ATM withdrawals.
Written by
Bilal Hussain
Safety and logistics lead
Bilal runs ground logistics, permits, NOCs, drivers, contingencies. He writes about the practical and safety side of travel in Pakistan with the directness of someone who has to make it work.
Coordinates with district authorities across Gilgit-Baltistan and KP.
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