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.
- Public
- Lahore has an operational Orange Line Metro and modern metro bus; Islamabad-Rawalpindi metro bus reliable; traditional buses cheap but crowded
- Taxi
- Careem and Uber dominant in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad at $2-6 for city rides; traditional taxis available everywhere but require fare negotiation
- Rental
- Car rental from $20-40/day; hiring a local driver strongly recommended ($15-25/day extra) especially for mountain roads and unfamiliar cities
- Walking
- Old city areas walkable for short distances; Islamabad's sector layout makes walking long distances impractical; heat a major deterrent May-August
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Taxi: $8-12 to city center, 30-45 minutes
- Shuttle
- Uber/Careem: $6-10 to city center
- Bus
- Airport shuttle: $3-5 per person (hotel shuttles)
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
- Metro bus
- Available in Lahore, Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Multan, and Peshawar
- Cost
- $0.20-0.30 per trip
- Quality
- Modern air-conditioned buses on dedicated lanes
- Local buses
- Traditional buses and minibuses $0.10-0.20, often crowded
- Intercity
- Daewoo, Faisal Movers, Niazi Express offer comfortable coaches between cities
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, rickshaw
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Traditional taxi
- Yellow/black cabs, negotiate fare beforehand, typically $0.40 base + $0.20/km
- Metered
- Rare, most negotiate fares
- Tips
- Always agree on price before starting journey
- Apps
- Uber (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad), Careem (most cities), Bykea (bikes and rickshaws), InDriver (negotiate fares)
- App Names
- Uber (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad), Careem (most cities), Bykea (bikes and rickshaws), InDriver (negotiate fares)
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Routes: Extensive network covering all major and minor cities
- Luxury
- Daewoo Express, Faisal Movers - comfortable, AC, $10-25 for major routes
- Standard
- Niazi Express, Skyways - good value, $8-15
- Budget
- Flying Coach, local operators - $5-10, less comfortable
- Booking
- Online, travel agencies, or bus terminals
- Overnight
- Available on long routes with reclining seats
Flights
- Airlines
- PIA (Pakistan International Airlines), Airblue, SereneAir
- Major routes
- Karachi-Islamabad ($60-120), Islamabad-Gilgit ($50-80), Lahore-Karachi ($70-130)
- Northern areas
- Flights to Gilgit and Skardu weather-dependent, often cancelled
- Booking
- Online or travel agencies, book early for better prices
- Tips
- Northern flights scenic but unreliable - have backup plans
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Jinnah International Airport
From centre: 15 km to downtown Karachi
Options: Taxi: $8-12 to city center, 30-45 minutes; Uber/Careem: $6-10 to city center; Airport shuttle: $3-5 per person (hotel shuttles); Car rental: Available from $25/day
Allama Iqbal International Airport
From centre: 15 km to central Lahore
Options: Taxi: $7-10 to city center, 30 minutes; Uber/Careem: $5-8 to city center; Orange Line Metro: $0.30 (under construction, connects to city); Car rental: Available from $20/day
Islamabad International Airport
From centre: 30 km to Islamabad city center
Options: Taxi: $15-20 to Islamabad, 45-60 minutes; Uber/Careem: $12-18 to city center; Airport shuttle: Some hotels provide free pickup; Car rental: Available from $22/day
Gilgit Airport
From centre: 10 km to Gilgit city
Options: Taxi: $3-5 to city center, 20 minutes; Shared jeep: $1-2 per person; Hotel pickup: Often included with booking
Skardu Airport
From centre: 8 km to Skardu city
Options: Taxi: $3-4 to city center, 15 minutes; Shared jeep: $1 per person; Hotel pickup: Usually available
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Careem
Most widely used ride-hailing app covering all major Pakistani cities; also has rickshaw and bike options
Uber
Available in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad; competitive pricing with Careem for standard rides
Bykea
Motorcycle and rickshaw app for short city trips; extremely affordable at $0.50-1.50 for quick hops in congested areas
InDriver
Fare-negotiation ride app useful in smaller cities where Careem/Uber coverage is limited
Pakistan Railways
Official train booking app for Pakistan Railways; book AC class tickets in advance for long routes
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Careem and Uber before arrival — they're essential for safe, transparent, affordable transport in major cities
For northern areas (Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu), hire a local driver with mountain experience from a reputable agency — roads are spectacular but technically demanding
Daewoo Express is Pakistan's best intercity bus service — book tickets online a day ahead for popular routes like Lahore-Islamabad
Northern area flights to Gilgit and Skardu are weather-dependent and frequently cancelled — always have a road travel backup plan
Carry cash as many taxi drivers and transport providers don't accept cards, especially outside major city centers
The Karakoram Highway is best traversed north to south to take advantage of better driving light and avoid afternoon mountain shadows