Destination Guides
Pakistan

 
ravel - International
 
Air

The national airline is Pakistan International Airlines (PK) (website: www.piac.com.pk) and links Pakistan with 47 destinations around the world.

 
Approximate flight times

From Karachi to London is eight hours 40 minutes, to Los Angeles is 22 hours 30 minutes, to New York is 21 hours 40 minutes, to Riyadh is three hours 35 minutes and to Singapore is seven hours 15 minutes.

 
Main airports

Karachi (KHI) (Jinnah International Airport) (website: www.karachiairport.com) is 15km (10 miles) northeast of the city (travel time – 30 to 45 minutes). To/from the airport: Coaches to the city run every 25 minutes. A bus runs from dusk to dawn every 15 minutes. Taxi services to the city are available. Facilities: Duty free shops, restaurant, post office, bank and shops.
Lahore (LHE) (website: www.lahore-airport.com) is 18km (5 miles) southeast of the city (travel time – 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Coaches and buses leave regularly for the city. Taxi services to the city are also available. Facilities: Car hire, bank, restaurant and shops.
Islamabad (ISB) (Islamabad International) is 8km (5 miles) southeast of the city (travel time – 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Coach and taxi services to the city are available. Facilities: Duty free is available.
Peshawar (PEW) is 4km (2.5 miles) from the city (travel time – 10 minutes). To/from the airport: Full bus and taxi services to the city are available.

 
Departure tax

PKR400-800 depending on the airport and class of travel. Transit passengers and children under two years of age are exempt. Departure tax is payable by cash only; credit cards are not accepted.

 
Sea

Main port: Karachi (Kemari). It is both Afghanistan’s and Pakistan’s port for goods, together with Port Qasim. No passenger boats or ships for the general public sail to or from Pakistan at present.

 
Rail

A rail link extends from Quetta (via the border crossing at Taftan) to Zahedan, Iran; the express train (travel time – 27 hours) runs weekly from Quetta, as does the passenger train, which only travels as far as Taftan. For more information contact Pakistan Railways (website: www.pakrail.com).

 
Road

From China: The Khunjerab Pass is often snow-covered and, during the rainy season (December to April), it is closed due to the high risk of mudslides. Transport includes buses, vans and 4-wheel drive vehicles.
From India: Wagha is the only land border open between Pakistan and India (Lahore–Amritsar route). The border post is open daily 0830-1430 from 16 April to 15 October, and 0900-1500 from 16 April to 15 October. A minibus runs from Lahore railway station to Wagha and there are also taxis available (travel time – 30 minutes). The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) operates two weekly buses from Lahore to Delhi on Friday and Tuesday, returning on Saturday and Wednesday (travel time - 12 hours). The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) also operates two weekly services from Delhi.
From Iran: travel is only possible via the Quetta–Taftan–Zahedan route. The border is open from 0900-1300 and 1400-1700. Several buses and coaches leave daily from Quetta to Taftan (travel time – 18 hours). There is also a road from Kabul, Afghanistan to Peshawar.
Note: Visitors exiting Pakistan by land routes are subject to a road toll. Travel to the federally administered tribal areas and the border areas with Afghanistan is not recommended. For further information, visitors should seek official advice.

 
 
 
ravel - Internal
 
Air

Most domestic services are operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PK) (website: www.piac.com.pk). Other airlines are Aero Asia (website: www.aeroasia.com) and Bhoja Air (website: www.bhojaair.com.pk). There are many daily flights between Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar and Quetta. Air transport is the quickest and most efficient means of travel.

 
Departure tax

PKR20-40 for internal flights. Children under two years are exempt.

 
River

Traffic along the Indus River is almost exclusively commercial. Many goods are carried to Punjab and the north from the main port at Karachi.

 
Rail

Much of Pakistan’s extensive rail network is a legacy of British rule. The main line, from Karachi to Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar, has several daytime and overnight trains. Most other routes have several daily trains. Even first-class compartments can be hot and crowded. Travel in air conditioned coaches is advised, as are reservations on long-distance journeys and overnight service. Children under three years of age travel free. Children aged three to 11 years pay half fare. Pakistan Railways offer concessions for tourists (on presentation of a certificate issued by PTDC), excluding Indian nationals travelling by rail. A discount of 25 per cent is offered to individuals and groups, and 50 per cent for students. Details are available from railway offices in Pakistan. For more information contact Pakistan Railways (www.pakrail.com).

 
Approximate rail times

Karachi to Lahore is 20 hours, to Rawalpindi is 28 hours and to Peshawar is 32 hours; and Lahore to Rawalpindi is five hours.

 
Road

Traffic drives on the left. The highway network between cities is poorly maintained. Caution should be taken when driving at night as roads are badly lit. It is advised that tourists to Pakistan travel with local drivers or guides. When driving it is advised to keep doors and windows locked at all times. Bus: Regular services run between most towns and villages. Lahore–Rawalpindi–Peshawar has an hourly service. Air-conditioned coaches/buses are recommended for long distances. Advance booking is advised. Car hire: Available in major cities, as well as at Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi airports. Most hotels can book cars for guests. Documentation: An International Driving Permit or own national licence is required.

 
Urban

Extensive bus and minibus services operate in Lahore, Karachi and other towns, although services can be crowded. Taxi: Reasonably priced and widely available, they are by far the most efficient means of urban travel. Note that they may not operate after sunset during Ramadan. Auto-rickshaws are also available.