Islamabad - Post Report Question and Answers
Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Generally it is safe to use plastic money. - Oct 2023
I was surprised by how many vendors could take credit cards (from the fancy hotel spas to carpet and furniture vendors to the coffee shops in the fancy parts of town). ATMs and accommodation exchange are available at the Embassy and I also found a few ATMs at banks in town that worked with my card; they’re perfectly safe. - Jun 2022
Can use ATMs at Embassy, but you will need to pay for everything at local businesses by cash. - Feb 2019
It's definitely a cash economy. There are ATM's at the embassy but I also had no problems using ATM's around town. Only two banks ATM's regularly took my American card but they had a lot of machines, so you just have to learn which will accept yours. Al Falah is a good bet. - Sep 2016
It's a cash economy, so you'll visit ATMs all the time. They're widely available, but about 40% of the time they're out of order. The most reliable ATM in town is outside the main Barclays agency. Only large hotels and a few elite restaurants take credit cards. - Sep 2015
I have used ATMs all over the city with no issues. - Aug 2015
I have bought carpets a few times with credit card. MasterCards work less, bring a Visa card. - Aug 2015
It's a cash-based society. We get cash on the Enclave and use it when we go into town. - Apr 2014
We used our credit cards on occasion in the city and never had any problems. I also used the Citibank and Standard Chartered Bank ATM's throughout my tour and had no issues or problems. - Feb 2014
Credit cards are only useful for some shops for large purchases like rugs or jewelry. ATMs abound in the city but for safety, we usually use the Embassy ATMs. - Dec 2013
Credit cards are only useful for select shops for large purchases (rugs, plane tickets, safaris, etc). ATMs abound and I never had a problem using USAA and Bank of America to get cash. - Mar 2012
Plenty of ATMs. Some places take credit cards. - Aug 2011
Per embassy advice I only used the ATM at the bank in the diplomatic enclave. I did use my credit card to make some large purchases (jewelry and carpets) with no issues. While Pakistan is a cash economy, hotels and any store that is large or sells expensive goods will take credit cards. - May 2011
ATMs are available throughout town and are fine. Most diplomats use the ATM in the Diplomatic Enclave or at the US Embassy. Most of the stores in F6 and F7 markets accept Visa/MC (rug stores, antiques, DVD stores, clothing, etc.).Some people are hesitant to use their credit cards, but I've had no problem at all (except that AMEX and Visa will shut down my card because it's a Pakistan charge--even though I've told them I live there!). - Jan 2010
No problems - well secured and cirrus enabled. - Oct 2009
Recent changes to Standard Chartered"s banking software has made it impossible for those on the Interac network to access funds using ATMs, although the bank will advance you funds against your credit card. Citibank (in the Blue Area)seems to accept most ATM cards. This is largely a cash society. Please note that if you attend an ATM on a Sunday or Monday, there is a good possibility that it will be empty of cash. Better days to visit the ATM are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (ie. mid week) after machines have been filled. General rule of thumb: Get as much cash as you can if there is still money in the machine. Service charges are high. - Oct 2008
