ATMs in Pakistan: locations, fees, and tips

Travelling to Pakistan from the UK? Whether you’re on a short work trip or are staying longer to visit family, you’ll need to figure out the best way to spend.

If cash is your preferred form of holiday money, you’ll need to know where you can withdraw Pakistani rupees (PKR).

In this helpful guide, we’ll show you where to find ATMs in Pakistan, along with what fees they charge and which cards they accept. Plus, some vital info on exchange rates and currency conversion.

We’ll even show you a super convenient way to spend abroad using the Wise card, which works in 150+ countries.

Discover the Wise card

Where do I find ATMs in Pakistan?

You shouldn’t have a problem finding ATMs if you’re visiting major cities or larger towns in Pakistan. They’re available in international airports, shopping malls, in popular tourist destinations, town squares and of course, outside bank branches.

In smaller towns though, they might be harder to find. And if you’re heading somewhere remote or rural, you’ll find it a lot trickier to track one down. In this case, it’s definitely worth taking cash out before you travel there.

To find the nearest ATM where you’re staying, you can use one of the these ATM locator tools for some of Pakistan’s largest banks:

• Habib Bank ATM locator
• MCB Bank ATM locator
• National Bank of Pakistan ATM locator
• Allied Bank ATM information and list
• Standard Chartered Pakistan ATM locator.

What are ATMs called in Pakistan?

ATMs are generally called ATMs in Pakistan, so you should be able to spot them easily. They look similar to the cash machines you’ll find back in the UK.

Will my credit or debit card work in Pakistani ATMs?

ATMs in Pakistan generally accept Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards. This is handy for UK travellers, as these are the most commonly issued types of cards in the UK.

You might find that not many ATMs accept American Express or Discover cards.¹

So, in general, you should be fine to use your UK-issued card in Pakistan. The only thing to check before withdrawing cash is whether your bank at home has any charges for overseas ATM withdrawals.

You can search for your nearest cash machine in Pakistan with these global ATM locators from Visa and Mastercard:

• Visa ATM locator
• Mastercard ATM locator.

Pakistan ATM Pins

ATMs in Pakistan accept the 4-digit PINs we use here in the UK.¹

When it comes to paying for things with your card, you’ll find that Chip and PIN technology is used where debit cards are accepted.

But there’s also a chance you may encounter magnetic stripe systems (where your card needs to be swiped).

Many debit cards have both, but it’s a good idea to check before you travel.

Pakistan ATM max cash withdrawal limits

The maximum amount you can withdraw from an ATM both in the UK and overseas will largely depend on your home bank. Each bank usually has its own daily, weekly and/or monthly withdrawal limits.

But the ATM itself may also impose cash withdrawal limits.

In Pakistan, there are some ATM withdrawal limits and they tend to vary considerably between banks.

You can expect a maximum limit of anywhere between 20,000 PKR to 100,000 PKR (approx. £71 to £286 GBP) or perhaps even higher, depending which ATM you use.¹

Let your bank know before you travel

It isn’t strictly necessary these days to tell your bank you’ll be using your debit card abroad. But it could be an idea to do it anyway, to prevent any disruptions to your travel spending.

When you spend overseas, there’s always the risk of an overly vigilant anti-fraud team flagging up your transactions as suspicious. This could lead to problems with payments or even your card getting blocked.

To avoid any of this hassle, it could even be worth getting an alternative spending card - one that is specially designed for international travel.

A great option is the Wise card, as it works in 150+ countries and lets you withdraw up to £200 a month (max. 2 withdrawals) from overseas ATMs without any fees*. Wise doesn’t charge for these withdrawals but you’ll need to check that the ATM operator doesn’t charge its own fees.

Choose to withdraw in the local currency and your Wise card will do the currency conversion at the mid-market exchange rate with only a small conversion fee*.

This means no expensive mark-ups eating into your spending money.

What are the ATM fees in Pakistan?

Now we come to the all-important topic of ATM fees in Pakistan. So how much will it cost you to withdraw cash there?

Read on for info on potential costs, including transaction fees and currency conversion costs.

Exchange rate fees at ATMs in Pakistan (DCC)

Before we dive into other ATM fees, it’s really important that you understand currency conversion and how it works at overseas ATMs.

If you’ve ever used an ATM in another country, you’ll be familiar with the screen asking you if you want the transaction to be carried out in British pounds or the local currency. You’ll encounter this in Pakistan too.

It’s always recommended to choose to withdraw in the local currency, which in this case is Pakistani rupees (PKR) - without a currency conversion.

This should mean you get a better rate, as the conversion will be done by your bank or card provider.

But if you decide to accept the currency conversion and are charged in GBP, the ATM will choose its own exchange rate using something called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). This rate will almost certainly be unfavourable, and can make the transaction expensive for you.

So ultimately - it’s always best to press ‘no’ when asked about currency conversion at an overseas ATM.

Home bank ATM fees

One of the biggest costs of using an ATM abroad is often the fee charged by your bank back in the UK. Some UK banks have foreign transaction fees for spending and/or cash withdrawals, often called ‘non-Sterling transaction fees’.

So to avoid any surprise charges, it’s crucial to check this carefully before you travel. You can either contact your bank or check the fee information document for your account.

Pakistan bank ATM fees

Most ATMs in Pakistan will charge an access fee, whether you have a foreign card or one linked to a Pakistani bank account.

This fee varies widely between banks and other ATM providers. But you can expect it to be around 600 to 1500 PKR (approx. £1.72 to £4.29).¹

Can I get free cash withdrawals in Pakistan?

You might find it difficult to get free cash withdrawals in Pakistan. You can try a few bank’s ATMs - if there’s a fee, it’ll be displayed on the screen before you confirm the transaction.

Another option is to see if your UK bank has a partnership with any banks in Pakistan. If so, you may be able to withdraw cash for free (or for lower fees) at these ATMs.

Tips for avoiding ATM fees in Pakistan

Always choose to be charged in the local currency

When you use a UK-issued card in a foreign ATM, you may be offered the ‘service’ of being charged in your local currency (i.e. GBP). While you may feel relieved to see the figures on terms you’re more familiar with, it’s always best to decline this option.

Being charged in the local currency helps you avoid hidden ATM rip-offs by giving you the best possible exchange rate.

This is because if you choose the local currency (in this case, PKR), your bank or card provider will do the currency conversion and apply the exchange rate.

But if you choose to have the transaction charged in GBP, this gives the ATM permission to give you an arbitrary (generally much more unfavourable) exchange rate for your withdrawal. So, it’s best avoided.

Check out the latest GBP to PKR conversion rates below:

Avoid airport ATMs

Wherever you are in the world, ATMs at airports tend to be very expensive. They are known to charge high fees for withdrawing money or converting currency.

So even though it might seem the most convenient option to get cash out the moment you land in Pakistan, it might be best waiting until you reach a city centre.

Check whether your home bank has partner banks in Pakistan

If your UK bank has an overseas ATM network or partners with banks in Pakistan, you may be able to benefit from low or no fees on ATM withdrawals. It’s always worth finding out before you travel.

Choose the right fee-free card

An increasing number of UK banks offer fee-free spending and cash withdrawals overseas (although of course, you do need to watch out for ATM access fees).

If you’re stuck with a card that does charge non-Sterling transaction fees, it could be time to ditch and switch.

Another crucial thing to remember is that unless it’s unavoidable, you should never withdraw cash using a credit card.

It’s usually much more expensive than using a debit card, as fees are charged for cash-based transactions. Plus, interest will likely start accruing right away, so you won’t benefit from your usual interest-free period.

Spend and withdraw worldwide with the Wise card

If you’re a travel lover, digital nomad or regularly spend time between countries, the Wise card could be your perfect travel companion.

It’s a dedicated contactless travel card, letting you spend like a local in 150+ countries worldwide. It automatically converts your pounds to the local currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend.

And when you need cash, you can use it to withdraw up to £200 a month (max. 2 withdrawals) fee-free. You’ll just need to check whether the ATM operator charges its own fees.

Wise only ever charges small, transparent fees* for currency conversion, and it’s fee-free if you already have the currency in your Wise account.

Sign up for a Wise account online and you can get your own Wise card for a one-time fee of just £7.

Sign up for a Wise account

ATMs in Pakistan FAQs

Can I use my UK debit card in Pakistan?

Yes, you should be fine to use your UK debit card in Pakistan, as both Visa and Mastercard are accepted.

What is the ATM limit in Pakistan?

The maximum amount of cash you can withdraw in Pakistan depends on which ATM you use, as limits range from 20,000 PKR to 100,000 PKR (approx. £71 to £286 GBP) or perhaps even higher.¹

Do I need cash in Pakistan?

You’re likely to need cash while visiting Pakistan. While cards are accepted in big cities, cash is still widely used for everyday purchases. If nothing else, you’re likely to need some Pakistani rupees for public transport, tipping, small local shops and cafes, and smaller hotels, hostels and B&Bs.

Can I use Wise in Pakistan?

Yes, you can use Wise to send money to Pakistan, and to spend in Pakistani rupees using your Wise card.

Do you tip in Pakistan?

Tipping is common in Pakistan, but whether it’s appropriate or expected depends on the region and the service provided. For example, tipping is appreciated in restaurants and eateries, as well as within the tourist, tour and hotel industry.

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Sources used:

1. ATM Fee Saver - Cash & ATMs in Pakistan: Fees, limits, exchange, cards & more

Sources last checked on date: 26-Nov-2024