Getting around Pakistan
Asia
From Europe ✈️
Direct flight from Paris
No (1-2 stopovers)
Duration
9-13h with 1 stopover (Doha, Istanbul, Dubai)
Indicative round-trip price
500-800 EUR A/R
Book
1-3 months ahead
Recommended airlines
Local transport
Bus
Daewoo Express: comfortable, reliable buses between major cities (Lahore, Islamabad, Multan), to book online. Local buses are cheap but crowded.
Train
Pakistan Railways links the big cities (Karachi-Lahore, Lahore-Islamabad). Scenic and very cheap, but slow and often late.
Taxi
Careem (dominant) and InDrive in the big cities, far safer and more transparent than street taxis. Rickshaws for short distances.
Metro
Orange Line (metro) and Metrobus in Lahore; Metrobus in Islamabad-Rawalpindi and Multan, fare around 25-40 PKR.
Essential apps
Common routes and indicative prices
| From | To | Mode | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islamabad | Lahore | Daewoo bus / train | 4-5h | 8-15 EUR |
| Islamabad | Gilgit | Vol interieur / bus KKH | 1h flight / 12-16h bus | 40-70 EUR flight |
| Gilgit | Karimabad (Hunza) | Shared jeep / minibus | 2-3h | 3-8 EUR |
| Skardu | Islamabad | Vol interieur (souvent annule) | 1h | 50-90 EUR |
Indicative prices for 2025-2026. Fares vary by season, demand and how far ahead you book.
Vehicle rental 🛵
Scooter / Motorbike
Rare, not recommended for foreigners
Car
40-80 EUR with a driver (the norm) / day
International permit; driving alone not advised
International permit : Required or strongly recommended
Transport scams to know ⚠️
Surfacturation des chauffeurs
Taxis et rickshaws gonflent le prix pour les etrangers.
Tip :Utiliser Careem ou InDrive avec prix fixe, ou negocier avant de monter.
Fake trek guides
Uncertified guides in the North, poorly equipped.
Tip :Go through a recognised agency or the guesthouses in Hunza/Skardu.
'Private' jeep at a premium price
You're offered a private jeep when a shared jeep exists.
Tip :Ask for the shared jeeps for the valleys, far cheaper.
Practical tips
- Book Daewoo Express buses online in advance on the busy routes.
- Flights to the North (Skardu, Gilgit) are often canceled due to weather: keep a buffer and a plan B by bus.
- Sur la Karakoram Highway, voyager de jour pour la securite et les paysages ; les jeeps partagees sont l'option locale la moins chere.
Other transport guides
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