Currency in Pakistan
The complete Pakistani Rupee (PKR) travel guide
The Pakistani Rupee (PKR, symbol ₨ or Rs) is the official currency of Pakistan. Issued by the State Bank of Pakistan, banknotes come in Rs 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, and 5,000 denominations; coins in Rs 1, 2, 5, and 10. PKR has experienced sustained depreciation against USD — from 100 (2014) to 280+ (2025) — driven by chronic current-account deficits, IMF program dependencies, political instability, and persistent inflation. Pakistan receives $30+ billion in annual remittances from its diaspora, primarily from Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK, and the US.
Cash, cards, and ATMs in Pakistan
Pakistan is a cash-first country, especially outside Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. Visa and Mastercard work at chain hotels (Pearl Continental, Marriott, Serena), upscale restaurants, malls (Dolmen Mall, Centaurus), and tourist-oriented businesses. Amex acceptance is minimal. ATMs at Habib Bank, MCB, UBL, and Standard Chartered branches accept foreign cards with per-transaction limits of Rs 25,000–50,000 (~$90–180) and fees of Rs 300–700 per withdrawal. Easypaisa and JazzCash are dominant local mobile-money services for Pakistanis but require Pakistani CNIC and SIM. Tap-to-pay is uncommon — chip-and-PIN is standard.
Tipping culture in Pakistan
Tipping ("baksheesh" or "khidmat") in Pakistan is appreciated and increasingly expected. Restaurants: 10% is standard at sit-down restaurants where service charge isn't already included. Taxis: round up to nearest Rs 50–100. Hotels: Rs 100–200 per bag for porters at international chains; Rs 100–200 per night for housekeeping. Tour guides: Rs 1,000–3,000 per person per day for private tours. Drivers (hired by day): Rs 500–1,500 per day. Spa/salon: 10%. Small baksheesh expected for many service interactions — keep small bills (Rs 100, Rs 500) handy.
Best way to get Pakistani Rupee (PKR)
For USD-to-PKR, multi-currency cards (Wise, Revolut) deliver rates within 0.5–1% of the official market rate. Pakistan has historically had a meaningful gap between official and parallel/black-market rates — though State Bank reforms in 2023-2024 have narrowed it. Avoid Karachi and Islamabad airport currency exchange counters — spreads of 5–8% above mid-market are common. Authorized currency exchange companies (Karachi: Wall Street Exchange, ANB Currency Exchange; Lahore: Galaxy Forex) offer competitive in-person rates. For diaspora remittances, Roshan Digital Account (introduced 2020) provides Pakistanis abroad with dedicated foreign-currency accounts at home banks; SBP gives preferential rates for these remittances. Wise and Remitly also compete strongly for USD-to-PKR remittances.
Practical money tips for Pakistan
- •Get a tourist SIM card on arrival (Jazz, Telenor, Zong, Ufone) — SIMs require passport and visa to activate; 7-30 day plans available for Rs 500–2,000
- •Use Careem or InDriver for ride-hailing in Karachi/Lahore/Islamabad — much cheaper and safer than street taxis
- •GST (typically 18%) is included in displayed prices at chain retailers
- •Pakistan plug types C and D (mixed); voltage 230V/50Hz — pack universal adapter
- •Carry small denominations (Rs 100, Rs 500) — many small shops can't change Rs 5,000 notes
- •Foreign passports required at hotel check-in by law; carry copies
- •Friday is a half-workday for many offices; Sunday is the weekend off-day
Common money scams to avoid in Pakistan
Common tourist money scams in Pakistan include: aggressive shopkeeper bargaining tactics at major bazaars (Anarkali in Lahore, Saddar in Karachi) where initial prices are 3-5x reasonable; rigged taxi meters in major cities (use Careem/InDriver instead); some currency-exchange shops showing different "buy" vs "sell" rates with bait-and-switch tactics; counterfeit Rs 1,000 and Rs 5,000 notes in change (check watermark and security thread); and overpriced "tour packages" sold by hotel concierges that include forced shopping stops. Use only government-licensed PTDC tour operators or established travel agencies for substantial bookings.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use US dollars in Pakistan?
Some tourist businesses accept USD at terrible rates (10–15% loss). Always convert to PKR. Use an authorized currency exchange shop or a Wise card for the best rates. The official PKR rate aligns closely with the parallel/grey market rate as of 2024-2025 — much improved from earlier eras with 30%+ gaps.
How much cash should I bring to Pakistan?
Plan on Rs 3,000–8,000 ($10–30) per day in cash for tips, taxis, street food, tourist sites, and small purchases. With cards accepted at hotels and upscale restaurants, your card spend covers the rest. Pakistani ATMs cap foreign-card withdrawals at Rs 25,000–50,000 per transaction.
What's the cheapest way to send money to Pakistan?
For diaspora-to-Pakistan remittances, the Roshan Digital Account (RDA) program offers preferential SBP rates for overseas Pakistanis with USD/GBP/EUR accounts at major Pakistani banks (HBL, UBL, Meezan, Bank Alfalah). For non-RDA transfers, Wise, Remitly, and Western Union compete closely — Wise typically wins by 0.5-1% for amounts over $500.
Why has the Pakistani Rupee kept depreciating?
Multiple compounding factors: chronic current-account deficits (Pakistan imports oil, food, capital goods), repeated IMF program dependencies (currently on its 23rd IMF program), high inflation that compounds over time, political instability that triggers capital flight episodes, and limited FX reserves. USD/PKR has gone from 100 (2014) to 280+ (2025) — among the world's worst major-currency performances over the period.
Is it safe to visit Pakistan?
Yes for major cities (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad) and tourist areas (Hunza Valley, Skardu, Swat Valley) with standard travel precautions. Foreign-tourist arrivals have rebuilt significantly since 2018 visa reforms. Check your home country travel advisory before booking — some regions (Balochistan, parts of KP/FATA) remain restricted. Always carry passport, register with embassy, and consider using a local tour operator for first-time visits to northern Pakistan.
Convert to and from PKR
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Exchange rates refresh hourly from Frankfurter (European Central Bank reference data). Travel money information was compiled in 2026 and reflects current cash/card culture, tipping norms, and common scam patterns.