Pakistan is a land of stunning contrasts, from the towering peaks of the Karakoram and Himalayas to the vibrant Mughal heritage of Lahore and the bustling metropolis of Karachi. Experience world-class trekking, ancient Silk Road history, and some of the most hospitable people on Earth.
Local currency: Pakistani Rupee (PKR / Rs).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Pakistan.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $8-12 (dorm bed in Islamabad/Lahore backpacker hostels)
- Budget
- $20-40 (budget guesthouse with private room)
- Midrange
- $60-100 (3-star hotel or boutique guesthouse)
- Luxury
- $150-300+ (Serena Hotels, Pearl Continental, Movenpick)
Food
- Street
- $1-3 (nihari, paye, samosa, biryani at street stalls)
- Local
- $5-10 (full meal at a mid-range local restaurant)
- Midrange
- $15-25 (restaurant meal with drinks at sit-down establishment)
- Fine
- $30-60+ (fine dining at Andaaz, Café Aylanto, or Kolachi)
Transport
- Bus
- $0.20-0.30 (metro bus in Lahore/Islamabad)
- Taxi
- $2-6 (Careem or Uber city ride)
- Airport
- $10-20 (Uber/Careem from major airports)
- Daytrip
- $15-30 (day trip by Daewoo bus to nearby cities)
Activities
- Museum
- $2-5 (Lahore Museum, Taxila, National Museum Karachi)
- Sites
- $2-5 (Lahore Fort, Mohenjo-daro, Badshahi Mosque)
- Tour
- $25-50 (guided heritage or food tour)
- Excursion
- $50-150 (mountain excursion or adventure activity)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Pakistan costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$170-210/week (hostels, street food, public transport, free attractions)
Midrange traveller
$420-560/week (guesthouses, local restaurants, Uber, some paid activities)
Luxury traveller
$1,050-1,400+/week (5-star hotels, fine dining, private drivers, guided tours)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Eat where locals eat — dhabas and street stalls serving nihari, karahi, and biryani offer spectacular food at $1-3 per meal
Use Careem and Uber over traditional taxis — fares are 30-50% lower with transparent pricing
Travel by Daewoo Express intercity bus rather than domestic flights — comfortable AC buses cost $8-25 vs $60-120 for flights
Book accommodation directly by phone or email rather than through booking platforms to avoid commission markups
Visit northern areas (Hunza, Swat, Kaghan) on local transport — shared jeeps cost a fraction of private hire
Ramadan can be economical for hotels as domestic tourism drops significantly and hotel rates fall
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Badshahi Mosque Visit
Lahore's iconic 17th-century Mughal mosque is free to enter (small optional donation). Wander the massive courtyard and admire the red sandstone exterior without paying admission.
Margalla Hills Hiking
Free nature hikes directly from Islamabad through pine and deodar forests on multiple marked trails. Trail 3 from Park Road is the most popular and completely free.
Lahore Fort Ramparts Walk
The exterior ramparts and some areas of Lahore Fort are viewable without the paid interior ticket — great for photography of the Badshahi Mosque across the way.
Data Darbar Shrine Visit
Pakistan's largest Sufi shrine in Lahore is free and open daily. Thursday night qawwali performances are completely free and among the most moving musical experiences in Asia.
Islamabad Rose and Jasmine Garden
Free public garden in Shakarparian Hills with over 250 rose varieties. Best visited in spring (February-March) when all varieties bloom simultaneously.
Pakistan Monument
The iconic star-shaped national monument in Islamabad is free to view and photograph from outside. The adjacent museum has a nominal entry fee of PKR 20.
Karachi Beach Sunset
Clifton Beach provides free access to Arabian Sea sunsets with the added entertainment of camel rides and food stalls visible without purchase.
Wazir Khan Mosque
The most ornately decorated mosque in Pakistan is free to enter for respectful visitors. The surrounding Walled City bazaars are also free to explore.