Practical Travel Information for Pakistan

Visa

• E-Visa: Available for 175+ nationalities via visa.nadra.gov.pk. Tourist visas for 30 or 90 days. Processing 7-10 business days.
• Visa on Arrival: Available for selected countries including China, Turkey, and Gulf states.
• Visa-Free: Citizens of China, Turkey, and several other countries can enter without a visa for up to 30 days.

Passport

• Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry
• At least 2 blank pages required for entry stamps
• Carry photocopies of your passport and visa separately

Customs

• Duty-free allowance: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, and reasonable personal effects
• Alcohol import is prohibited (Pakistan is a dry country — no alcohol is legally available)
• Declare foreign currency over USD 10,000
• Antiques and gemstones require export permits

• Vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Typhoid strongly recommended. Polio vaccine required for some travellers. Yellow Fever certificate needed if arriving from an endemic country.
• Malaria: Present in lowland areas (Sindh, Balochistan, southern Punjab). Take prophylaxis and use insect repellent.
• Water: Drink bottled or filtered water only. Avoid ice in drinks unless at reputable establishments.
• Food: Street food is generally safe in busy stalls with high turnover. Stick to freshly cooked and peeled items.
• Altitude sickness: Risk above 2,500m in northern areas. Acclimatise gradually when visiting Hunza, Skardu, or Khunjerab Pass.
• Medical facilities: Good private hospitals in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. Limited in rural/mountain areas. Travel insurance essential.

• Currency: Pakistani Rupee (PKR). See our currency guide for current rates.
• ATMs: Widely available in cities. HBL, UBL, MCB, and Meezan Bank ATMs accept international cards (Visa/Mastercard). Daily limit typically PKR 25,000-50,000.
• Credit cards: Accepted at hotels, restaurants, and shops in major cities. Cash preferred elsewhere.
• Exchange: Banks, licensed exchange bureaux (found in major cities and airports). Avoid black market exchanges.
• Tipping: 10% at restaurants is customary. PKR 100-200 for hotel porters. Tip guides and drivers generously in tourist areas.

• SIM cards: Jazz, Telenor, Zong, and Ufone offer tourist SIM packages. Buy at the airport or any franchise. You need your passport and biometric verification (finger scan at PTA-registered shops).
• Mobile data: 4G coverage is good in cities and main highways. 3G in smaller towns. Limited/no signal in remote mountain valleys.
• Wi-Fi: Available in most hotels, cafes, and restaurants in cities. Can be slow or unreliable in rural areas.
• VPN: Some websites and apps (including certain VoIP services) may be restricted. A VPN can be useful.
• International dialling: Country code +92. Emergency numbers: Police 15, Rescue 1122, Fire 16.

See our detailed getting around guide for full information. Quick summary:

• Flights: PIA, Airblue, and Serene Air operate domestic routes. Book early for northern routes (Islamabad-Skardu, Islamabad-Gilgit).
• Buses: Daewoo Express, Faisal Movers, and NATCO (for northern areas) are reliable. Lahore-Islamabad takes ~4-5 hours.
• Trains: Pakistan Railways connects major cities. Business class is comfortable. Lahore-Karachi takes ~16-18 hours.
• Ride-hailing: Careem and InDrive operate in all major cities. Safe and metered.
• Car hire: Available with driver (recommended). Self-driving is challenging due to traffic conditions.

Cultural Tips

• Dress code: Dress modestly. Women should cover shoulders and knees. A headscarf is appreciated at religious sites but not required in cities.
• Religion: Pakistan is an Islamic country. Respect prayer times (5 times daily). Friday afternoon is the main prayer. Ramadan fasting month affects restaurant hours.
• Photography: Ask permission before photographing people. No photos of military installations, government buildings, or airports. See our photography guide.
• Hospitality: Pakistanis are famously hospitable. You may be invited for tea (chai) by strangers — this is genuine friendliness. Accept graciously where comfortable.
• Greetings: Assalamu Alaikum (peace be upon you) is the standard greeting. Shake hands with the same gender; a hand on heart gesture is respectful for opposite gender.
• Alcohol: Not available publicly. Pakistan is officially a dry country. Some international hotels may serve to foreigners with a permit.