Money and payments
Cards and cash
ATMs exist in most areas but only very few accept international cards such as American Express, MasterCard and Visa.
Tipping
Tipping is considered a good practice in Pakistan.
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Asia · Southern AsiaOutline guideCountry in South Asia
Photo: Usman.pg, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan (Urdu: پاکستان Pākistān) is a country at the crossroads of Western, Central, South and East Asia. Conceived as a separate homeland for Muslims in South Asia, the country's tourism industry had its heyday during the 1960s thanks to the Hippie Trail. Unfortunately, the country has been in a state of flux since the 1970s, with many countries declaring it unsafe to visit.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Pakistan.
Cards and cash
ATMs exist in most areas but only very few accept international cards such as American Express, MasterCard and Visa.
Tipping
Tipping is considered a good practice in Pakistan.
English, Urdu
At the federal level, Urdu and English are the official languages of Pakistan. Urdu serves as the lingua franca of Pakistan.
It's not a bad idea to buy a cell phone and use a prepaid plan to get yourself connected while you are in the country.
Mobile networks
Visitors are strongly advised to refrain from drinking tap water, which contains many impurities; many Pakistani locals themselves drink boiled or purified water, and you should drink only boiled, filtered or bottled water.
Pakistan has lower hygiene standards than those of Western nations.
Despite sharp political and religious differences, Pakistan and India share a common culture; the various respect tips found in the India article will come in handy during your visit.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the federal capital, a relatively new planned city with a much more "laid back" feel than the other cities
a major city in Punjab, famous for its textile industry
the financial capital and the largest city of the country, it's an industrial port city and the provincial capital of Sindh
city of the Mughals, it's a bustling and very historical city in the Punjab that shouldn't be missed
the City of Saints, famous for blue pottery, ornamental glasswork, and Khussa – a type of shoes
capital of Azad Kashmir and a very picturesque city
capital city of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the gateway to Khyber Pass
capital city of Balochistan
The Karakoram Highway (often abbreviated to KKH and sometimes transliterated as Karakorum) is the highest paved international road in the world; it connects Western China and Pakistan. It is one of the very few routes that cross the Himalayas and the most westerly of them.
Murree, once a charming colonial town nestled in the Himalayan foothills, is now a popular hill station and bustling summer resort in the Galyat region of northern Punjab. Due to being a picturesque and pleasantly scenic places in the country, the last one decade have seen rampant development and today Murree more closely resembles a litter-strewn overcrowded and a thriving tourist resort.
The world's second largest salt mine, the Khewra Salt Mine, is a major tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors every year.
The ancient settlement of Mohenjo-daro is in Larkana District in the Sindh province of Pakistan. Listed as an archaeological site of immense historical significance on the UNESCO World Heritage List, it is one of the most important archaeological sites of South Asia, not to be missed if you are interested in archaeology or in the history of the Indian subcontinent.
The ancient settlement of Taxila in the western outskirts of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; it is considered one of the most important archaeological sites of South Asia, and for good reason. There is a modern town with the archaeological sites scattered nearby.
Changa Manga is in Kasur district of the Punjab province in Pakistan.
Nankana Sahib is in Punjab, Pakistan.
Places in Pakistan on the World Heritage List.
Taxila
Listed 1980
Rohtas Fort
Listed 1997
Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore
Listed 1981
Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol
Listed 1980
Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta
Listed 1981
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Part of the disputed territory of Kashmir, it is home to some of the world's tallest mountains, brimming with dramatically fantastic landscapes and can easily compete with Nepal for trekking opportunities.
Primarily Pashtun, the region is very rugged and mountainous but the people are very hospitable. Northern Pakhtunkhwa is considered to be one of the most beautiful areas of the country. The region includes the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
Part of the disputed territory of Kashmir, it is sometimes referred to as "Heaven on Earth" because of its scenic landscape.
The most populous and agriculturally fertile region in the country, and home to many historical shrines and mosques.
In the most industrialised region in the country, most visitors head for Karachi or the ancient ruins of Mohenjo-daro, but Sindh is also known for its distinct culture which is influenced by Sufism.
The largest and most remote province, its lack of infrastructure and a low-level insurgency can make for rough travelling. It is, however, home to the world's second largest juniper forest, beautiful natural beaches, and regions which are famous for their delicious fruit.
Public transport and paid services in Pakistan.
By train
Pakistan’s rail network is widely considered to be one of the world’s highest risk networks due to systemic issues.
By bus
A large portion of travel between cities in Pakistan is carried out by bus. Travel by bus is often the cheapest and most convenient alternative.
By plane
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) serves numerous domestic destinations and is the only airline to serve the three airports in the north of interest to trekkers or climbers: Chitral, Gilgit, and…
By car
In Pakistan, traffic drives on the left; the traffic culture is very different from the West.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Pakistan.
Finding apps for Pakistan…
Other ways to travel:Maps
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Karachi · International · KHI
Loading places around the airport…
Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Islamabad
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 21° | 25° | 31° | 38° | 44° | 45° | 43° | 42° | 40° | 36° | 29° | 23° |
| Avg. low | 6° | 9° | 15° | 21° | 27° | 31° | 32° | 30° | 26° | 20° | 13° | 8° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 9 | 14 | 27 | 13 | 12 | 30 | 52 | 37 | 38 | 4 | 20 | 8 |
| Humidity | 39% | 39% | 35% | 27% | 21% | 28% | 39% | 42% | 40% | 28% | 29% | 33% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$30
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$80
Per person, per day
Luxury
$205
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $15 | $45 | $120 |
| Food and drink | $5 | $15 | $35 |
| Local transport | $5 | $5 | $15 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $35 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 3 of 4Reconsider travel
Reconsider travelto Pakistan due to armed conflict, terrorism, crime, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Pakistan. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. Violent extremist groups have carried out attacks in Pakistan. Terrorist attacks typically happen in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the former FATA, but they have also occurred in major cities such as Karachi and Islamabad. Terrorists may strike without warning. They target transportation hubs, hotels, markets, malls, military and security forces sites, airports, trains, schools, hospitals, places of worship, tourist spots, and government buildings. Demonstrations Local law prohibits protesting or demonstrating without a permit. Being near a protest can draw scrutiny from Pakistani security forces. U.S. citizens have been detained for participating in protests. You can also face detention for posting content on social media viewed as critical of the Pakistani government, military, or officials. Internet and mobile phone service outages are common, especially during protests. Crime Pakistan’s security environment remains fluid. It sometimes changes without notice and can be a serious threat. There are greater security resources and infrastructure in the major cities. Security forces in these areas may be more readily able to respond to an emergency compared to other areas of the country. The most reported crimes are…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel Pakistan-Afghanistan border FCDO advises against all travel to within 10 miles of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province FCDO advises against all travel to these areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province: Bajaur Bannu Buner Chārsadda Dera Ismail Khan Hangu Karak Khyber Kohat Kurram Lakki Marwat Upper Dir Lower Dir Mohmand Orakzai Peshawar, including the city of Peshawar Swat Tank North Waziristan Upper South Waziristan Lower South Waziristan the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas via Battagram, Besham City, Dasu and Sazin up to the junction with the N15 the N45 Highway, from the north of the Mardan ring road, to the edge of Chitral City, including Kalash valley FCDO advises against all but essential travel to these areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province: Malakand Mardan Nowshera Shangla Swabi Balochistan Province FCDO advises against all travel to Balochistan Province. Pakistan-India Border Area FCDO advises against all but essential travel within 5 miles of the international border between Pakistan and India. Exceptions are the Grand Trunk highway via the Wagah border (the crossing point is currently closed, however visitors can still access and attend the daily Wagah border ceremony) and the Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib (currently closed for crossings). Pakistan-administered…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Pakistan.
Food & drinkWhile South Asia is a vast subcontinent with diverse climate and culture, some culinary traditions can be found across the region.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureHill stations are towns at a higher altitude than the nearby plains or valleys. While rulers in precolonial times also used to escape the heat and humidity of summer by venturing to higher ground, most hill stations…
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe Grand Trunk Road (GT Road) is one of Asia's great historical roads and a major route connecting Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent for at least 2,500 years.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historySouth Asia, also known as the Indian subcontinent, is one of the world's cradles of civilisation, with its first civilisations dating back to approximately 3400 BCE.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesFor modern-day trade in China, see Shopping in China The Silk Road (丝绸之路 sī chóu zhī lù), also known as the Silk Route, is not a single road, but a network of historical trade routes across Asia from China to Europe.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyThe Mughal Empire, also known as the Moghul Empire, ruled much of South Asia from the 1520s to the early 1700s. After that it declined drastically, though remnants survived until 1857.
Wikivoyage
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