Papua New Guinea, a land of striking biodiversity, tribal traditions, and rugged natural beauty, offers a truly off-the-beaten-path adventure. Whether you’re trekking the Kokoda Track, visiting remote villages, or exploring the vibrant markets of Port Moresby, understanding how to access cash is essential. Card acceptance is limited outside of major hotels and urban centers, and cash remains the primary method of payment throughout much of the country. This guide provides key information on cash and ATMs in Papua New Guinea, including withdrawal fees, transaction limits, exchange rates, and card acceptance, helping you stay financially prepared in this extraordinary destination.
Where to find ATMs in Papua New Guinea?
In cities like Port Moresby, Lae, Mount Hagen, and Madang, ATMs are available near major banks, shopping centers, and hotels. BSP (Bank South Pacific), Kina Bank, and Westpac Papua New Guinea operate most ATM networks. These machines dispense Papua New Guinean kina (PGK) and support both local and international cards, though international withdrawal fees may apply.
Tourist Spots:
ATMs are available at Jacksons International Airport (Port Moresby), as well as in key hotel areas like Ela Beach and Waigani. Some tourist hubs – such as Kokopo (East New Britain) or Goroka – also have a few bank-operated machines. That said, even in developed areas, ATM outages and connectivity issues are not uncommon, so it’s wise to carry backup cash.
Rural Areas / Remote Regions:
In remote regions like the Sepik River, highland villages, and island provinces (e.g., Milne Bay or the Trobriands), ATM access is nearly nonexistent. Cash is critical in these areas, especially if you’re staying at community lodges or traveling by small boat or bush transport. Always withdraw enough money before leaving urban centers.
Best ATMs to use in Papua New Guinea for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Papua New Guinea are those owned by popular banks such as:
- Westpac,
- BSP, and
- Kina Bank.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Papua New Guinea, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in PGK).
– If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
– If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in PGK’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Papua New Guinea?
Yes, many foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Papua New Guinea. ATMs commonly accept Visa, Mastercard, Plus, CUP, JCB, Maestro cards. Only some of them accept others like American Express, Diners, and Discover cards.
What are the ATM opening hours?
In cities like Port Moresby and Lae, most ATMs operate 24/7, especially those at banks, malls, and airports. However, outages are common, and ATMs in rural areas may follow bank hours only (Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm).
What are ATMs called in Papua New Guinea?
They’re referred to as “ATMs” or “Cash Machines”, with signage usually showing the name of banks.
Language options at ATMs
ATM interfaces are typically in English, which is one of the official languages. Some may also display Tok Pisin, but English remains the default and traveler-friendly option.
You can use Google Translate App’s camera function to translate the ATM screen if you don’t understand these languages, but be cautious as the translations may not be entirely accurate.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Papua New Guinea?
ATMs in Papua New Guinea dispense only Papua New Guinean kina (PGK), the official currency of the country. There is no option to withdraw U.S. dollars or other currencies directly from local ATMs.
ATM withdrawal limits in Papua New Guinea?
ATMs in Papua New Guinea have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of PGK 2,000 per transaction. Banks usually do not limit the number of transactions per day.
ATM Fees in Papua New Guinea
There are usually no fee-free ATMs in Papua New Guinea. Majority of the bank ATMs in Papua New Guinea charge PGK 2.5 to PGK 10 per transaction ATM Access Fee for foreign card holders. There is only one ATM part of the Global ATM Alliance Network that may not charge your card ATM fees, if you have a card from a bank part of the same network.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Papua New Guinea. These are:
1. Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
2. Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Papua New Guinea
Use the lower fee ATMs in the country.
Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
Consider getting fee-free cards from your home country.
Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Papua New Guinea?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Papua New Guinea. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Papua New Guinea. Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Safety at ATMs
ATM safety in Papua New Guinea can vary significantly depending on the location. While urban centers like Port Moresby and Lae have accessible banking infrastructure, they also report higher instances of crime, including armed robbery and theft. It’s strongly advised to use ATMs located inside bank branches, major hotels, or secure shopping centers. Avoid using standalone machines, especially at night or in quiet areas. Be discreet when withdrawing cash, stay aware of your surroundings, and consider carrying a backup card. Regularly monitoring your account can help catch any unauthorized activity early.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Papua New Guinea takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs in Papua New Guinea?
No, its usually not possible.There are usually no fee-free ATMs in Papua New Guinea. Majority of the bank ATMs in Papua New Guinea charge PGK 2.5 to PGK 10 per transaction ATM Access Fee for foreign card holders. There is only one ATM part of the Global ATM Alliance Network that may not charge your card ATM fees, if you have a card from a bank part of the same network.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Papua New Guinea?
Yes. ATMs in major cities in Papua New Guinea and international hotel chains accept many types of international cards.
Bitcoin ATMs?
There are no confirmed Bitcoin ATMs currently operating in Papua New Guinea. While some crypto providers mention planned installations in places like Wewak or Port Moresby, no physical kiosks have been verified. Cryptocurrency access remains limited to online exchanges and peer-to-peer platforms.
Foreign bank ATMs’ presence in Papua New Guinea
- Bank of America: No, there are no Bank of America ATMs here.
- Citibank: No, Citibank does not operate in Papua New Guinea.
- Barclays: No, Barclays has no ATM presence here.
- HSBC: No, HSBC does not maintain consumer ATMs in PNG.
- Standard Chartered: No, Standard Chartered does not operate ATMs in Papua New Guinea.
