Trying to avoid paying crazy ATM fees while traveling in Pakistan. Anyone found ATMs that are free for foreign cards? Would love specific banks or locations if possible.
From a backpacker’s perspective, always pick banks based on your cash needs and location. Dubai Islamic Bank and Meezan Bank ATMs-especially the ones near Regal Chowk (Karachi) or Saddar-are traveler-friendly with clear English menus and rarely run out of cash. I had the least issues with Meezan Bank, but MCB and Allied sometimes wouldn’t accept my Revolut Visa. Dubai Islamic Bank was the cheapest at 600 rupees. To avoid multiple fees, pull out the max (Rs 100,000 where allowed) and definitely carry extra if traveling to smaller towns where international ATMs are even less common.
Habib Bank, Bank Alfalah, MCB, and Allied Bank all hit you with Rs 1,000 per transaction, with limits mostly around Rs 20,000-25,000 per withdrawal. Allied and MCB branches near Lahore’s Old City let me withdraw Rs 50,000 if I split into two transactions, but the total fee doubled fast. Save hassle by checking withdrawal limits and planning ahead, since the costs add up if needing a lot of cash on a longer trip.
I wish the ATM fees in Pakistan were lower, but if you’re traveling around Islamabad or Rawalpindi, Faysal Bank and Dubai Islamic Bank offer some of the cheapest options. Faysal’s fee is Rs 600 or 4% (whichever’s higher), while Dubai Islamic Bank only charges Rs 600, plus their machines let you pull Rs 100,000 per transaction. Using my Wise card at Dubai Islamic Bank near Centaurus Mall, I always got cash on the first try. Just beware: some MCB and Allied Bank ATMs added extra verification steps that were confusing for foreigners.
For anyone using international debit cards in Pakistan, try Meezan Bank’s ATMs first-especially in bigger cities like Karachi or Lahore. They charge a flat $5 per withdrawal, and their machines reliably let me take out up to Rs 100,000 in one go, far more than most others. I found the Meezan ATM right outside Avari Towers Hotel very consistent, with good English instructions. Compared to banks like Habib or Alfalah, which cap at Rs 25,000-100,000 and charge Rs 1,000, Meezan’s higher limit really helped me minimize fees during a longer stay.
Used Bank Alfalah ATM in Pakistan to withdraw PKR 25,000 but I paid 1000 PKR fee (ridiculous). Final rate came out to 268/USD vs market 278 - includes all charges. Not bad!
Habib Bank in Pakistan advertises fee-free withdrawals, but I was charged Rs 1000 on a Rs 20,000 withdrawal. Not cool.
Loved Faysal Bank atms - good network and 600 rupees withdrawal fee for a 25,000 PKR limit. dont expect fee-free withdrawals in Pakistan - all bank ATMs charge something or the other.
Bank Alfalah and MCB Bank both charged me 1,000 rupees to withdraw 25,000 so i cancelled. then got lucky with Dubai Islamic Bank - only 600 rupees fee (cheapest i found).