Money Exchange in Lahore Pakistan

Society Travel & Tourism
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ASA, we are traveling from usa to lahore next month and i wanted to get some info about money/currency…i have heard it is better to get paki rupees in lahore versus here in the usa…we do not have any bank account there so i cannot send money beforehand…what is my best option to get paki rupees? has anyone used the money exchange or atm at the lahore airport? how do their rates compare to those i will get inside the city (like mall road)? trying to figure out if i shud get all the money i need for the trip at the airport or somewhere else? regardless, i do want to get some paki currency at the airport to get by for a day till i can get to an atm or bank outside.
also, how much do the atms in pak typically charge if you are using a foreign atm card? ( i know there will be a fee from my own bank, but want to know what the paki bank usually charge). If you have experience using atms in lahore, please let me know which ones accept foreign debit cards.
also, has anyone used western union in lahore for either money exchange?
thank you

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Re: Money Exchange in Lahore Pakistan

Wa’alaikum Salam.

You do not have to have a bank account to send money. Use western union’s cash send option.

If travelling via Dubai, I would recommend exchanging them at Dubai airport, they offer the best rates and it’s safe.

Used multiple times, I have noticed Standard Chartered ATMs offering the best rates. Naqi Center (Mall road) offer the worst rates because their targets are people with no bank accounts, hence the higher rates.

At any ATM in Lahore, ATM’s are safe to use. :k:

Their rates are pretty good (no extra charges) but there is certain amount of limit on money that you withdraw. I was able to draw Rs60,000 per day.

Standard Chartered meets all your requirements, their air-conditioned ATM’s are 24/7 available and are looked after by an armed guard.

Yes, their rates are same as those on Mall road. Surprisingly almost all the money exchangers in Lahore offer similar rates.

Remember not to enter invalid/wrong pin at the ATM’s, ATM eats up your card and banks in Pakistan will never ever return your card.

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Re: Money Exchange in Lahore Pakistan

Prince Ali, thank you so much for taking out the time to answer all my question...I really appreciate it...I never thought of exchanging money in Dubai, thanks for that suggestion...how much money would you recommend taking to
Pak For eating out, transportation, sightseeing, etc...just looking for an estimate...thank you again!

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Re: Money Exchange in Lahore Pakistan

Prince Ali, One more question ...if I send money beforehand via western union...what kind of documentation do I need to pick up the money in pakistan? I don't have pakistani shanakhti card... But I do have nicop and us passport...will they accept these as identification? Thank you

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Re: Money Exchange in Lahore Pakistan

Pleasure was all mine sir!

Dining in Pakistan especially Lahore, is very expensive. A dinner with few friends or family at an average restaurant would cost about Rs8,000.
I think Rs100,000 should be enough for 2 weeks stay.
Lahore Airport is very small and gets jammed up very quickly, try to be quick when plane lands to avoid very long queues.
Remember to be very careful at the airport, do not let the porters approach you, they go like, 'hey sir, the security is very tight and they are gonna open up all your bags, we can help you get past". Outside the airport they charge you heavily.
Help yourself, get your luggage and simply come out. Customs officials do not search bags on exit anymore.

You don't need Pakistani I.D.
When you send money through western union, they provide you with an MSN number.
Provide that MSN number at any western union (sometimes they need to identify you, so show them your passport). That would do.

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Re: Money Exchange in Lahore Pakistan

Thank you very much again Prince Ali for responding to my questions! Jazak Allah Khair!

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Re: Money Exchange in Lahore Pakistan

Anytime :D