World Country Guide

Travel - International

Note
All travel to Waziristan is advised against. It is advised that nationals only undertake essential travel to northern and western Baluchistan and the Sui area, western North West Frontier Province (NWFP), the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas and Agencies (FATA), and border areas except for official crossing points. If visiting Karachi, visitors should take particular care, avoiding travelling on foot and only travelling in vehicles between secure, well-guarded premises. There is a high threat from terrorism throughout Pakistan. British nationals of Western origin are particularly likely to be targeted by terrorists, including for kidnap. Everyone is at risk from indiscriminate attacks and from sectarian violence. The rail network in Baluchistan should be avoided due to previous incidents of bombs planted on the line.

Air
Pakistan’s national airline is Pakistan International Airlines (PK) (website: www.piac.com.pk) and links Pakistan with 47 destinations around the world. Other airlines serving Pakistan include British Airways, China Xinjiang Airlines, Saudia Airlines and Thai Airways.

Approximate flight times
From Karachi to London is seven 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.

International airports
Karachi (KHI) (Quaid-e-Azam) is 15km (10 miles) northeast of the city (travel time – 30-45 minutes). 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. Good airport facilities exist 24 hours, including duty free shops, restaurant, post office, bank and shops.
Lahore (LHE), 18km (5 miles) southeast of the city (travel time – 20 minutes). Coaches and buses leave regularly for the city. Taxi services to the city are also available. Airport facilities include car hire, bank, restaurant and shops.
Islamabad (ISB) (Islamabad International) is 8km (5 miles) southeast of the city (travel time – 20 minutes). Coach and taxi services to the city are available. There are full duty free facilities.
Peshawar (PEW), 4km (2.5 miles) from the city (travel time – 10 minutes). Full bus and taxi services to the city are available.

Departure tax
PRs800 for international passengers travelling first class, PRs600 for business class and PRs400 for economy class. Transit passengers and children under two years of age are exempt.

Sea
The major port is 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
The Lahore–Delhi Samjhota Express leaves Lahore on Mondays and Thursdays. 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 open between 1 May – 31 October for groups and until 15 November for individual tourists. Customs and Immigration posts are open daily from 0830-1100 for outgoing tourists and until 1600 for incoming tourists. 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).
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.