The tourism department’s advice on money is short. The FAQ says the local currency is the Pakistani rupee and recommends carrying cash, because credit cards are not widely accepted in the region. That’s the official line — and this page doesn’t add to it.
What this page adds is a practical layer from the rest of the site. Our destination and place pages say where you can stock up on cash, where you can’t, and which parts of a trip are normally paid in cash. We’ve put those notes in one place and arranged them by route, so you can plan your cash before you leave a town rather than after.
We don’t publish exchange rates, ATM addresses, bank opening hours or prices. A rate printed today is out of date tomorrow — and our sources don’t keep an ATM map.
The rule in one paragraph
Bring Pakistani rupees, and expect to pay in cash. Card acceptance is uneven. Just because a card worked in one town, don’t assume it will work at a guesthouse, a jeep stand or a park gate further up the valley. Fill up on cash in the larger towns before you head into side valleys or high country — and split it so you never carry it all in one place.
What the department FAQ says, and what it doesn’t
| The FAQ says | The FAQ doesn’t say |
|---|---|
| The currency is the Pakistani rupee | Exchange rates, or where to change money |
| Carry cash | How much cash to carry |
| Credit cards are not widely accepted | Which businesses take cards |
| Where ATMs are, or whether they work |
Our travel overview repeats the same two facts alongside the FAQ’s guidance on dress and safety. Everything else on this page comes from our travel pages and is credited to each one.
Where the site says to stock up
Several of our pages name a “last good stop” for cash before a remote stretch. Use them as planning points — and check locally.
Gilgit and the Hunza side
- Gilgit. The Gilgit destination page says to withdraw or bring Pakistani rupees, and suggests using your first Gilgit night as a logistics stop for the airport, cash and a licensed operator.
- Hunza. The Hunza destination page lists ATMs in Karimabad and Gilgit, and says to carry cash for the villages.
- Naltar. The Naltar Valley page says there are no ATMs in the valley, so bring cash from Gilgit.
- Shimshal. The Shimshal Valley page says there are no ATMs. Bring enough from Aliabad, Karimabad or Gilgit for your whole stay, plus an extra delay day.
- Khunjerab. The Khunjerab Pass page mentions an ATM near the border but says not to count on it. Bring cash for the park fee.
- Nagar. The Nagar destination page suggests carrying cash for guesthouse bills and jeep days.
Skardu and Baltistan
- Skardu. The Skardu destination page says to carry enough for Deosai, Shigar and village trips, where cards are rarely accepted.
- Deosai. The Deosai National Park page says there’s no food, fuel or cash inside the park, so stock up in Skardu or Astore. It also says to pay in cash at the checkpoint and keep your ticket until you leave.
- Kachura and Sadpara. The Kachura Lake page says there’s no ATM at the lakes. The Sadpara Lake page suggests bringing cash from Skardu for boats and tea.
- The K2 trek. The K2 Base Camp page says to bring rupees from Skardu or Islamabad.
Diamer and the Babusar side
- Chilas. The Babusar Pass and Fairy Meadows pages both describe Chilas as having banks. The Fairy Meadows page says there are no ATMs past Chilas or Gilgit, so bring enough for the jeep, your lodge and food.
- Babusar. The Babusar page says to carry cash because mobile coverage is patchy between Batakundi and Chilas.
Ghizer and the Shandur road
- Gilgit or Gahkuch. The Shandur Pass page says to stock up in Gilgit or Gahkuch, because there are no ATMs on the pass. The Khalti Lake page also says to bring cash from Gilgit or Gahkuch.
A note on how current this is. These lines describe conditions when each page was checked — not a guarantee. A cash machine can be empty, offline or gone. Treat every named town as a place to try, and carry enough to reach the next one.
What you’ll usually pay in cash
Our pages point to these as typical cash payments. We don’t give amounts — they change from season to season.
- Park and checkpoint fees. The Deosai and Khunjerab pages say to pay in cash at the checkpoint. The Khunjerab page reports that a ticket may be valid for one day only, so ask before you pay if you’ll come back through on a later day.
- Jeeps and local drivers. The Naltar page advises agreeing the fare, the waiting time and whether the lakes are included before you get in. The Babusar page gives the same advice about waiting time.
- Boats. The Attabad and Sadpara pages mention boat rides paid locally. Agree the price before you board, and insist on life jackets, as the Attabad Lake page advises.
- Guesthouses and homestays in remote valleys. The Shimshal page notes that guesthouses there have no booking websites.
- Tea, snacks and small purchases at lakeshores and pass-top stalls.
Keeping cash safe
The packing guide advises carrying enough cash because remote areas may have limited banking or card payments. It also says not to carry all your money in one place, and to keep some emergency cash separate from your main wallet. It suggests keeping digital and paper copies of important documents too.
A few more points from our pages:
- Crowds. At Shandur in festival week, the place page advises keeping your valuables close.
- Daypack, not luggage. The packing guide suggests keeping essentials in your daypack on long drives, not in bags stored in the vehicle.
- Lost wallet or documents. Our contacting the tourist police guide covers reporting a lost passport, wallet or other belongings, and says serious incidents should be reported promptly.
Paying an operator or booking a package
If you book through a tour operator, much of your spending may be agreed in advance rather than paid in cash day by day. Our hiring a tour operator guide suggests:
- asking for a clear breakdown of what’s included, such as accommodation, transport, meals and guide services;
- being wary of unclear prices or arrangements that change a lot after booking;
- getting the itinerary and included services confirmed in writing;
- checking cancellation and refund terms before paying, including what happens if weather or a road closure cuts part of the trip.
International visitors will find the same questions — including what happens to the permit and the money if dates move — on hiring registered operators for international visits.
Official payments are different
Not every payment is made in cash at a counter. Our archaeological survey NOC guide, for example, describes a fee paid by bank draft in favour of the director. Permit and licence payments follow the rules of the office concerned. See the trekking and mountaineering permits guide. This page doesn’t cover how to make those payments — follow the office’s own instructions.
For investors, our PPP authority guide advises verifying any opportunity through an official website, procurement notice or authorised office before sending money or confidential documents.
A simple cash plan
- Before you fly or drive in, make sure you have rupees — and don’t rely on a card for your first day.
- On your first night in Gilgit or Skardu, top up and split your cash.
- Before each side trip, check the stock-up line above for that route.
- Add a delay day’s worth for remote valleys, as the Shimshal page suggests. Roads and flights can hold you up.
- Agree prices first for jeeps, boats and guides, and keep any park ticket until you leave.
Frequently asked questions
What currency is used in Gilgit-Baltistan?
The Pakistani rupee, according to the tourism department FAQ.
Can I pay by card?
Don’t count on it. The FAQ says credit cards aren’t widely accepted — so carry cash.
Are there ATMs in Gilgit-Baltistan?
Our Hunza page lists ATMs in Karimabad and Gilgit, and our Babusar and Fairy Meadows pages say Chilas has banks. We don’t keep an ATM map — and a machine may be empty or offline.
Where are there no ATMs?
Our pages say there are none in Naltar Valley, Shimshal, on Shandur Pass or at the Kachura lakes, and none past Chilas or Gilgit on the Fairy Meadows route. Deosai has no cash available inside the park.
Can I rely on the ATM near Khunjerab?
No. The Khunjerab page says not to count on it. Bring cash for the park fee.
Do you publish exchange rates?
No. Rates change daily, so check with your bank or a licensed exchange before you travel.
How much cash should I bring?
The FAQ doesn’t say, and neither do we. Plan for each remote stretch, and add a delay day.
How are park fees paid?
The Deosai and Khunjerab pages say to pay in cash at the checkpoint. Keep your ticket.
What should I agree before hiring a jeep?
The fare, the waiting time and exactly where the trip goes, according to our Naltar and Babusar pages.
What if I lose my wallet?
Report it promptly. Our contacting the tourist police guide explains how to get help.
