Getting Around Pakistan
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use rickshaws and metros in Lahore and Karachi. Rural: Rent a car for northern valleys exploration. Mountains: Shared jeeps and buses. For convenience, book airport transfers from Islamabad to your destination.
Train Travel
Pakistan Railways Network
Extensive rail system connecting major cities with economy and AC class options for comfortable long-distance travel.
Cost: Lahore to Karachi PKR 1,000-3,000, journeys 12-20 hours between key routes.
Tickets: Book via Pakistan Railways app, website, or station counters. Advance booking recommended.
Peak Times: Avoid Eid and summer holidays for availability and lower fares.
Rail Packages
Tourist packages offer discounted multi-journey tickets for PKR 5,000-10,000 covering major routes like Khyber Mail.
Best For: Extended trips across Punjab and Sindh, savings for 4+ stops.
Where to Buy: Major stations, official website, or app with e-tickets for quick access.
Premium Services
Executive class on select trains like Karakoram Express for better amenities, connecting to northern areas.
Booking: Reserve 7-14 days ahead for peak seasons, discounts up to 20% online.
Main Stations: Lahore Junction central hub, with links to Karachi Cantt and Rawalpindi.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Ideal for exploring Gilgit-Baltistan and rural Punjab. Compare rental prices from PKR 3,000-8,000/day at Islamabad and Lahore airports.
Requirements: International driver's license, credit card, minimum age 21-25.
Insurance: Full coverage advised, verify inclusions for mountain roads.
Driving Rules
Drive on the left, speed limits: 60 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, 120 km/h motorways.
Tolls: Motorways like M2 require tolls (PKR 500-1,000 per trip).
Priority: Yield to oncoming traffic on narrow roads, roundabouts common in cities.
Parking: Free in rural areas, metered PKR 50-200/hour in urban centers like Karachi.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel available at PKR 250-280/liter for petrol, stations frequent on highways.
Apps: Google Maps or Maps.me for offline navigation in remote areas.
Traffic: Heavy congestion in Lahore and Karachi during rush hours and festivals.
Urban Transport
Lahore Metro & BRT
Modern Orange Line Metro in Lahore, single ticket PKR 40, day pass PKR 100, covering key areas.
Validation: Use smart cards or app payments, security checks at stations.
Apps: Punjab Masstransit app for schedules, live tracking, and e-tickets.
Rickshaws & Bike Shares
Auto-rickshaws ubiquitous in cities, PKR 100-300/ride; Bykea app for bike rentals PKR 50-150/hour.
Routes: Negotiate fares upfront, safe for short urban trips in Islamabad.
Tours: E-rickshaw tours in historic areas like Lahore Fort for guided experiences.
Buses & Local Services
Daewoo Express and local operators cover inter-city and urban routes with AC options.
Tickets: PKR 200-500 per ride, purchase onboard or via apps like Careem Bus.
Green Line BRT: Karachi's bus rapid transit, PKR 30-100 for coastal and city connections.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near transport hubs in cities for easy access, old Lahore or Islamabad's F-7 for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 1-2 months ahead for summer (June-Aug) and festivals like Eid.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for weather-affected mountain travel.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, secure parking, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Strong 4G/5G in urban areas, 3G/4G in most rural Pakistan including highways.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from PKR 800 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before arrival, activate on landing, works nationwide.
Local SIM Cards
Jazz, Telenor, Ufone, and Zong offer prepaid SIMs from PKR 500-1,500 with broad coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, mobile shops, or kiosks with passport for registration.
Data Plans: 5GB for PKR 800, 10GB for PKR 1,200, unlimited for PKR 2,000/month.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi common in hotels, cafes, and malls across major cities.
Public Hotspots: Airports and tourist sites offer free access, but use VPN for security.
Speed: 10-50 Mbps in cities, suitable for streaming and navigation.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Pakistan Standard Time (PKT), UTC+5, no daylight saving observed.
- Airport Transfers: Islamabad Airport 15km from center, taxi PKR 1,000 (20 min), or book private transfer for PKR 2,000-3,000.
- Luggage Storage: Available at airports and stations (PKR 200-500/day) in major cities.
- Accessibility: Buses and trains vary, metros in Lahore improving; many sites like forts have steps.
- Pet Travel: Limited on public transport, check private services; accommodations often restrict pets.
- Bike Transport: Rickshaws carry bikes for PKR 100-200, trains allow for extra fee off-peak.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Pakistan
Islamabad (ISB) and Lahore (LHE) are main international hubs. Compare flight prices on Aviasales or Kiwi for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Islamabad International (ISB): Primary gateway, 15km from city with taxi and bus links.
Lahore Allama Iqbal (LHE): Busy hub 13km from center, shuttle PKR 500 (30 min).
Karachi Jinnah (KHI): Southern international airport, 12km away, Uber PKR 800-1,200.
Booking Tips
Book 1-2 months in advance for winter travel (Oct-Mar) to save 20-40% on fares.
Flexible Dates: Mid-week flights (Tue-Thu) often cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Fly into Dubai and connect via short flight for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
Airblue, Serene Air, and FlyJinnah offer domestic and regional routes affordably.
Important: Include baggage and transfer costs in comparisons for total expenses.
Check-in: Online 24 hours prior required, airport fees add up quickly.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Common in cities, fees PKR 200-500, prefer bank ATMs over tourist spots.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard work in hotels and malls, cash preferred elsewhere.
- Contactless Payment: Growing in urban areas, apps like EasyPaisa for mobile payments.
- Cash: Essential for markets, transport, and rural spots, carry PKR 5,000-10,000 in small notes.
- Tipping: Not mandatory, 10% in restaurants for good service is appreciated.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport kiosks with high fees.