Getting Pakistani Rupees for Your Trip
Pakistan is emerging as an exciting destination for adventurous travellers, from the ancient Mughal architecture of Lahore to the stunning Karakoram Highway and peaks of Gilgit-Baltistan. Understanding money in Pakistan is essential - it's a cash-based economy with limited card infrastructure.
The Pakistani Rupee has experienced volatility in recent years, so check current rates before you travel. Pakistan offers excellent value for money - your pounds will go far, especially outside the major cities. Because of crime, the FCDO's advice is to steer clear of buses and other public transport as well as street taxis and ride apps, and to phone a licensed taxi company instead.
Best Ways to Get Pakistani Rupees
Based on rates and convenience (per £1,000 converted)
Tip: Bring cash and change it at a State Bank-licensed exchange company. Compare a few counters and keep the receipt.
Compare Exchange Rates →Using Cards in Pakistan
Pakistan still runs largely on cash, though cards are catching on (the Express Tribune put the number of card terminals at 125,593 in October 2024):
Where cards may work: International hotels (Marriott, Pearl Continental), some upmarket restaurants in Lahore and Karachi, major shopping malls, and some airline offices.
Where you'll need cash: Virtually everywhere else - local restaurants, guest houses, markets, transport, shops, tourist sites, and all of northern Pakistan. Even some places that have card machines may experience technical issues.
Important: Never rely on cards as your primary payment method in Pakistan. Always have sufficient Rupee cash, especially when travelling outside major cities.
Withdrawing Cash from ATMs
ATMs are available in Pakistani cities but have limitations:
- Best banks: HBL (Habib Bank), MCB Bank, Bank Alfalah, and UBL have the most ATMs and are generally reliable with international cards
- ATM fees: UBL and HBL list a charge for foreign-issued cards, but their 2026 schedules do not show the amount clearly. Check the charge shown on screen before you go ahead; your home bank may add fees
- Availability: Plentiful in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and major cities. Very limited or non-existent in rural areas and the northern mountains
- Reliability: ATMs can run out of cash, especially around holidays. Some may not accept foreign cards
Always decline the ATM's offer to convert to your home currency - choose to be charged in PKR for a better rate.
Exchanging Cash in Pakistan
Exchanging foreign currency in Pakistan is straightforward if you use a licensed exchange company:
- Money changers: Exchange companies licensed by the State Bank of Pakistan are found in all major cities and are the regulated way to change money. Compare the rate for pounds at a few before you change; unlicensed street dealing is illegal
- Currency preference: USD and GBP are easily exchanged. EUR is accepted but may get slightly worse rates. Bring clean, undamaged notes
- Banks: Banks exchange foreign currency but are slower and may require more paperwork than money changers
- Airport: We found no official list of exchange counters or cash machines at Karachi or Lahore airports, so change only a small sum there and the rest in town
- Keep receipts: Save your exchange receipts. You may need them when leaving Pakistan or for larger purchases
- Cash limits: An adult may carry out up to USD 5,000 in foreign currency on each visit, with a yearly ceiling of USD 30,000 (half for under-18s). Declare over USD 5,000 when leaving and over USD 10,000 when arriving
Money for Northern Pakistan
If you're heading to Gilgit-Baltistan, Hunza, or the Karakoram Highway, extra preparation is essential:
- Limited banking: ATMs are rare beyond Gilgit. HBL has branches in Gilgit and some larger towns, but don't count on ATM access
- Bring enough cash: Calculate your budget for the entire northern trip and withdraw or exchange before leaving Islamabad or Lahore. Add 20% buffer
- Small notes: Break larger notes in cities. PKR 100, 500, and 1,000 notes are most practical in mountain areas
- Budget: Northern areas are very affordable. Basic guest houses cost PKR 2,000-5,000 per night, meals PKR 300-800
Best Exchange Options for PKR
Top providers by category:
Habib Bank
Largest Pakistani bank. ATMs nationwide.
United Bank
Major bank with good coverage.
Meezan Bank
Largest Islamic bank in Pakistan.
Karachi/Lahore Airport
Counters not confirmed. Change a small sum only.
Unlicensed Street Dealers
Illegal, with no protection. Use a licensed exchange company.
Compare PKR Exchange Rates
See what you'd receive from providers local to you
Frequently Asked Questions
Bring cash and change it at an exchange company licensed by the State Bank of Pakistan; these are found in every major city, and you should compare the pound rate at a few counters and keep the receipt. US dollars and pounds change easily, euros may get slightly worse rates, and notes must be clean and undamaged. City ATMs are available too, but have their limitations.
Only in a limited set of places. Cards may work at international hotels such as the Marriott and Pearl Continental, some upmarket restaurants in Karachi and Lahore, the big malls and some airline offices; cards are catching on, but even places with card machines can have technical problems. Virtually everywhere else, including all of northern Pakistan, you pay in Rupees, so never rely on a card as your main method.
ATMs are plentiful in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad but scarce or absent in rural areas and the northern mountains; HBL, MCB Bank, Bank Alfalah and UBL are generally reliable with international cards. Machines can run dry, especially around holidays, or refuse foreign cards. UBL and HBL list a fee for foreign cards but not clearly how much, so check the on-screen fee and choose PKR, not your home currency.
Yes. On arrival, foreign currency above USD 10,000 must be declared. On departure an adult may take a maximum of USD 5,000 in foreign currency out per visit, within an annual limit of USD 30,000, halved for under-18s, and anything over USD 5,000 must be declared when leaving. Keep your exchange receipts, as you may need them when leaving or for larger purchases.
Take everything you need in cash. ATMs are rare beyond Gilgit, and although HBL keeps branches in Gilgit and a few bigger towns, do not count on ATM access. Work out your budget for the whole northern trip, get it in Islamabad or Lahore before setting off, add a 20% buffer, and break big notes in the city: PKR 100, 500 and 1,000 are the most useful in the mountains.
Only a small amount. We could not find any official listing of the exchange counters or ATMs at the Karachi and Lahore airports, so treat them as unconfirmed, change just enough to get into town and do the rest at a licensed exchange company in the city, comparing a few counters. Banks also change money but are slower and may ask for more paperwork.
Nearby Destinations
Planning to visit multiple countries? Check out exchange guides for nearby destinations:
India
UAE
Saudi Arabia