How to come to Pakistan?

By Air

More than 25 airlines fly to Pakistan from over 40 countries. Most of the flights arrive at Karachi, but PIA, British Airways, Saudia and China Xinjiang Airlines fly direct to the twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad, and PIA, Indian Airlines, Saudia and Thai Airways fly direct to Lahore. Pakistan International (PIA) has direct flights from the main Mediterranean and European cities, as well as New York, Toronto and Nairobi. It also runs a Far East Network from Tokyo, Beijing, Jakarta, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. PIA have also flights to Tashkent and Almaty from Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi while another Pakistani airlines, Aero Asia has a weekly flight between Karachi and Bishkek.

By Land

From China:

The Khunjerab Pass is open from 1st May to 31st October for groups and to 15 November for individual tourists. Customs, Immigration post shall remain open daily from 08:30 to 11:00 for outgoing travelers and up to 16:00 (Pakistan Standard Time) for incoming tourists. Travel time from Sost to Taxkurgan (China) is 05 hours (220 kms). The Chinese border post, Taxkurgan is open 12:00 noon to 14:00 (Beijing Time) for outgoing tourists and up to 19:00 for incoming travelers. Daily PTDC (Pakistan Tourism Dev. Corp.) and NATCO (Northern Areas Transport Corp.) run buses, vans, and jeeps from Sost to Taxkurgan and one-way fare is fixed at US$ 23 per person or equivalent in Pak. rupees.

From India:

Wagha is the only land border open between Pakistan and India (Lahore-Amritsar route). The Wagha border post is open daily for foreigners; Summer (16 April to 15 October) 08:30 to 14:30 hrs and Winter (16 October to 15 April). Minibus No.12 leaves from outside Lahore Railway Station for Wagha every 15 minutes, costs approx US$ 0.20 per person. Taxi shall charge around US$ 8 for this half an hour journey.

The Lahore-Delhi (Samjhota Express) train leaves Lahore at 11:00 hrs on Mondays and Thursdays. Check-in time at Lahore Railway Station is 08:00 hrs. First Class fare to Delhi is approx. US$ 10, Economy Class is US$ 3 whereas Lahore Amritsar First Class is US$ 2 and Economy Class is US$ 1 per person.

From Iran:

Pak-Iran border crossing is only possible through Taftan-Zahidan, from 09:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs with break from 13:00 hrs to 14:00 hrs. Several buses and coaches daily leave from Taftan to Quetta (634 km - 16 - 18 hours). Approximate fare is around US$ 08 per person on coach and US$ 07 per person on bus. There is a weekly express train from Zahidan to Quetta (via Taftan - 27 hours). Economy Class fare with berth is approximately around US$ 10 and First Class Sleeper is US$ 13 per person. Another Passenger (slower) train leaves Taftan every Thursday for Quetta.

By Sea:

No passenger boats or ships for the general public sail to or from Pakistan at present. A few pilgrim ships/boats, do ply between Pakistan and the Gulf States.

Formalities for Incoming Tourists

Passport and Visa

All foreigners coming to Pakistan need a valid passport. Tourists from the following countries do not need visa to enter Pakistan for the period specified as under;

1. Iceland, Maldives, Singapore, South Korea, Zambia and Mauritius for 3 months
2. Hong Kong, Nepal and Western Samoa for 1 month
3. Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago for unlimited period

Landing permit/transit visa for 30 days shall be given at entry points/airports, by Pakistan Immigration, free of cost, to genuine tourists after satisfying about their bonafied, if they possess return air ticket and sufficient amount of foreign currency. Such landing permit/transit visa should be regularized from the nearest Regional Passport & Immigration Office, within its validity. Landing permit facility is not available for the nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Palestine, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Serbia, Tanzania and Uganda. However, it is always better to obtain visa from Pakistan embassies abroad, before entering Pakistan. Nationals of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are allowed to enter Pakistan with valid Pakistani visa and passport either of their own country or of the former Soviet Union. Israeli passport holders are not allowed entry into Pakistan.

Application Requirement for Visa: Valid passport, 02 passport-size photographs, completed application form, confirmed return/onward air-ticket (if travelling by air) and proof of sufficient amount of foreign currency. Visa fee varies from country to country and type of visa.

For further details please contact Pakistan High Commission or Embassy / Consulate in your city or country.