Travel to Pakistan

Flying to Pakistan

Pakistan has several major international airports that serve as gateways to the country. The key ones include:
• Jinnah International Airport (KHI) in Karachi.
• Islamabad International Airport (ISB) in Islamabad.
• Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE) in Lahore
• Peshawar Bacha Khan International Airport (PEW) in Peshawar.

Pakistan's national air carrier is Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which operates both domestic and international flights, connecting major cities within Pakistan and offering routes to the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

Other airlines that fly to Pakistan include British Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Saudia, SriLankan Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.

Flight times:

From London - 7 hours 45 minutes.

Airport guides

Airport Code: ISB. Location: Islamabad Benazir Bhutto International Airport is located 10km (6 miles) southeast of Islamabad, in... Money: There are several banks with bureaux de change facilities and ATMs in the terminal building. Read more

Airport Code: LHE. Location: Allama Iqbal International Airport is located approximately 15km (9 miles) from the city of Lahore... Money: ATMs can be found in the terminal. There are also currency exchange counters located in the... Read more

Airport Code: KHI. Location: Karachi Jinnah International Airport is situated 14km (9 miles) east of central Karachi. Money: A number of banks, bureaux de change and ATMs are located in the terminal building. Read more

Other airports in Pakistan

Peshawar Bacha Khan International Airport

Airport Code: PEW. Location: The airport is 4km (2.5 miles) from the city. Website: N/A. Public transport description: Full bus and taxi services to the city are available (journey time - 10 minutes).

Travel by rail

There are currently no regular international passenger rail services into Pakistan.

Historically, the Samjhauta Express connected Delhi with Lahore via the Attari–Wagah border crossing, but this service has been suspended since 2019 and has not resumed.

A rail link also exists between Zahedan and Quetta via the Taftan border crossing. However, this route is primarily used for freight, and any passenger services are irregular and not accessible to tourists.

Driving to Pakistan

You can drive to Pakistan from neighbouring countries, but the feasibility depends on your route, visa arrangements, and security conditions.

The Wagah Border (Attari-Wagah Crossing) is the primary land crossing between India and Pakistan, linking Amritsar, India, with Lahore, Pakistan.

The Khunjerab Pass (Karakoram Highway) connects Pakistan with China's Kashgar in Xinjiang. This high-altitude border crossing is open seasonally, typically from April to November, as it remains closed during winter.

Pakistan shares two major border crossings with Afghanistan: the Torkham and Chaman borders. However, security concerns and restrictions may affect travel through these routes.

The Taftan Border (Mirjaveh Crossing) is the only crossing point between Pakistan and Iran. Due to the remote and often insecure conditions in Balochistan, safety escorts are strongly recommended for travellers driving through this region.

Visitors should always check the latest travel advisories for these areas. Additionally, ensure that your visas, permits, and vehicle insurance are valid and meet the requirements for cross-border travel. For those driving their own vehicle into Pakistan, a Carnet de Passage (a customs document for temporary vehicle import) is mandatory.

Getting to Pakistan by boat

Pakistan has several ports along the Arabian Sea, the main ones being Karachi Port and Port Qasim, both serving the city of Karachi. These ports are primarily geared towards cargo rather than passenger arrivals.

There are no regular international passenger ferry services linking Pakistan with neighbouring countries such as India or Iran.




Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.