Pakistan Travel Tips

Social Conventions
The right hand is used both for shaking hands (the usual form of greeting) and for passing or receiving things. Mutual hospitality and courtesy are of great importance at all levels, whatever the social standing of the host. Visitors must remember that most Pakistanis are Muslim and should respect their customs and beliefs.

Smoking is prohibited in some public places and it is polite to ask permission before lighting a cigarette. It is common for visiting businesspeople to be entertained in hotels and restaurants. If invited to a private home, a gift or national souvenir is welcome. Informal dress is acceptable for most occasions. Women should avoid wearing tight clothing and both men and women should ensure that their arms and legs are covered. Pakistani society is divided into classes and within each group there is a subtle social grading. The Koran is the law for Muslims and it influences every aspect of daily life.

Photography: Do not take photographs at military establishments, airports or of any infrastructure, including dams and bridges or from aircraft. The penalties can be severe.

International Travel:

Getting There by Air
The national airline is Pakistan International Airlines (PK) (website: www.piac.com.pk).

Departure Tax
Rp700-1,400 depending on class of travel. Transit passengers and children under two years of age are exempt.

Main Airports
Karachi (KHI) (Jinnah International Airport) (website: www.karachiairport.com) is 15km (10 miles) northeast of the city. To/from the airport: Coaches and a bus run to the city. Taxi services to the city are also available (journey time - 30 to 45 minutes). Facilities: Duty-free, restaurant, post office, bank and shops.

Lahore (LHE) (website: www.lahoreairport.com.pk) is 18km (5 miles) southeast of the city. To/from the airport: Coaches and buses leave regularly for the city. Taxi services to the city are also available (journey time – 20 minutes). Facilities: Car hire, bank, restaurant and shops.

Islamabad (ISB) (Islamabad International) (website: www.islamabadairport.com.pk) is 8km (5 miles) southeast of the city. To/from the airport: Coach and taxi services to the city are available (journey time - 20 minutes). Facilities: Duty-free, car hire, banks and public call office.

Peshawar (PEW) is 4km (2.5 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: Full bus and taxi services to the city are available (journey time - 10 minutes).

Getting There by Water
Main port: 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.

Getting There by Rail
A rail link extends from Quetta (via the border crossing at Taftan) to Zahedan, Iran; the express train (journey 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 (tel: (42) 920 1642; website: www.pakrail.com).

Getting There by Road
From China: The Khunjerab Pass is often snow-covered and, during the rainy season (December to April), it is closed due to the high risk of mudslides. 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). A minibus runs from Lahore railway station to Wagha and there are also taxis available (journey time – 30 minutes). The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) operates buses from Lahore to Delhi (journey time - 12 hours). The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) (website: www.dtc.nic.in) also operates services from Delhi.

From Iran: Travel is only possible via the Quetta–Taftan–Zahedan route. Several buses and coaches leave daily from Quetta to Taftan (journey 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.

Overview
The following items may be imported into Pakistan without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 8oz of tobacco.
• 250ml of perfume and eau de toilette (opened).
• Gifts up to a value of Rp2,000 (for the first visit in a calendar year, Rp100 for the second visit in a calendar year).*

Note: * Residents under 18 years old are not allowed any free import.

Prohibited Imports
The import of alcohol, matches, plants, fruit and vegetables, fireworks, counterfeit or pirated articles or goods, indecent or obscene material and livestock is prohibited. Anything bearing words or inscription of a religious connotation, or anti-Islamic literature is also prohibited, as are Holy Quran translations without Arabic text.

Prohibited Exports
The export of antiques, certain chemicals and counterfeit and pirated articles and goods is prohibited.

Internal Travel:

Getting Around By Air
Most domestic services are operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PK) (website: www.piac.com.pk). Other airlines are Aero Asia (website: www.aeroasia.com) and Bhoja Air (website: www.bhojaair.com.pk). There are many daily flights between Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Sukkur, Faisalabad and Quetta. Air transport is the quickest and most efficient means of travel.

Getting Around by Water
Traffic along the Indus River is almost exclusively commercial. Many goods are carried to Punjab and the north from the main port at Karachi.

Getting Around by Rail
Pakistan Railways (tel: (42) 920 1642; website: www.pakrail.com) operates the extensive rail network, much of which is a legacy of British rule. The main line, from Karachi to Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar, has several daytime and overnight trains. Most other routes have several daily trains. Even first-class compartments can be hot and crowded. Travel in air-conditioned coaches is advised, as are reservations on long-distance journeys and overnight service.

Children under three years of age travel free. Children aged three to 11 years pay half fare. Concessions are available for tourists (on presentation of a certificate issued by the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation), excluding Indian nationals traveling by rail. A discount of 25% is offered to individuals and groups, and 50% for students. Details are available from railway offices in Pakistan.

Approximate rail times: Karachi to Lahore is 20 hours, to Rawalpindi is 28 hours and to Peshawar is 32 hours; and Lahore to Rawalpindi is 5 hours.

Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the left. Legal driving age is 18. The highway network between cities is poorly maintained. Caution should be taken when driving at night as roads are badly lit. It is advised that tourists to Pakistan travel with local drivers or guides. When driving it is advised to keep doors and windows locked at all times.

Bus: Regular services run between most towns and villages. Lahore–Rawalpindi–Peshawar has an hourly service. Air-conditioned coaches/buses are recommended for long distances. Advance booking is advised.

Car hire: Available in major cities, as well as at Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi airports. Most hotels can book cars for guests.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit or own national license is required.

Getting Around Towns and Cities
Extensive bus and minibus services operate in Lahore, Karachi and other towns, although services can be crowded. Taxis are reasonably priced and widely available; they are by far the most efficient means of urban travel. Note that they may not operate after sunset during Ramadan. Auto-rickshaws are also available.


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