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Last updated on June 6, 2025
Wanna travel to Pakistan with Against the Compass?
Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Pakistan:
September 14th to 27th, 2025
If you ever decide to travel to Pakistan, I promise you that you will have the adventure of your lifetime.
From hitchhiking on tractors and psychedelic trucks to driving over extremely narrow mountain roads built on a cliff 1,500 meters high, soldiers who voluntarily give you their AK-47 for taking a photo, the most striking landscape and the fact that you can camp in the middle of a paradise completely by yourself.
Traveling to Pakistan is definitely, the ultimate experience and adventure.
However, this isn’t particularly an easy place to travel in.
Going on a trip to Pakistan requires a little bit of preparation, as well as quite a lot of things to know beforehand.
This Pakistan travel guide contains everything you need to know, including all travel information regarding visas, transportation, cultural etiquette, cultural behavior, costs and more!
In this Pakistan travel guide you will find:
our recommended travel insurance for Pakistan
With its Backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of adventurous destination, like Pakistan.
What’s it like to travel in Pakistan today
Before 9/11, Pakistan used to be a tourist country.
Well, not that touristic, but its breathtaking mountains were a popular stopover for backpackers going along the famous Hippie Trail.
In fact, in the Northern Areas, you can find a few backpacker hostels which somehow, are the remains of what used to be a popular destination for intrepid backpackers.
The 9/11 attacks, however, along with a big bunch of unfortunate events, usually involving Taliban activity and loads of violence, put an end to the emerging tourism industry.
Fortunately, things have changed.
In the last couple of years, the security situation in Pakistan has dramatically improved and the Northern Areas of Pakistan are, once again, filled with intrepid backpackers who want to visit some of the most jaw-dropping mountain scenery you will ever see, and experience the hospitality Pakistan is famous for.
Nevertheless, despite this massive tourism increase, Pakistan still remains raw, authentic, and genuine, and it will stay like that for a very long time, especially because it is not an easy country to travel to: tourist infrastructure is in an embryonic stage, it is difficult to move around and you won’t meet many foreigners, so that’s why I personally believe that only experienced travelers should go to Pakistan.
However, traveling in Pakistan is one of the most rewarding traveling experiences one can ever have.
How to get a visa for visiting Pakistan
Here you have the most updated information
Today, it’s possible to travel to Pakistan with an e-visa.
Join our Pakistan expedition
Join a group of like-minded travelers to visit some remote and off-the-beaten-track valleys in the Northern Areas of Pakistan.
September 14th to 27th, 2025
How to apply for a Pakistani e-visa
You can apply through this portal.
By the way, they also offer a mobile app (available at the same link) where you can submit your application directly from your smartphone.
How long is the Pakistan e-visa valid for?
By default, you will get a single-entry visa, which allows you to stay in Pakistan for 3 months.
How much does the e-visa for Pakistan cost?
As of September 2025, the new e-visa for Pakistan is free of charge.
How long does it take to get the e-visa?
Although the official website states that processing takes 7–10 days, most travelers report receiving their visa within a few hours of submission.
How to make a visa extension for Pakistan
If you need a longer stay or multiple entries, you can apply for a multiple-entry visa valid for more than 6 months directly through the same online portal.
How to sign up for a tour in Pakistan
Traveling with a group and an expert local guide will make things much easier, and more fun!
14 days exploring the Northern Areas, including driving through the Karakoram Highway, as well as exploring the barely visited valleys of Shimshal and Astore.
Against the Compass has the following scheduled Pakistan expedition:
Travel insurance for traveling in Pakistan
Pakistan is an adventurous destination, so we recommend going there with proper travel insurance.
I recommend IATI Insurance because:
- Their backpacker plan covers all types of adventure activities, including trekking
- Very competitive prices
- Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount
Best time to visit Pakistan
Pakistan has many different regions, ranging from sea-level, flat deserts to 8,000-meter peaks, so each season will present its own peculiarities.
Traveling in Pakistan in winter (mid-November to February)
The best time to visit the south part of the country, especially Sindh province. Those lands may not have the mountains Pakistan is famous for but this is the most religiously diverse region in Pakistan.
On the other hand, most mountains in northern Pakistan remain totally inaccessible in the wintertime. You can still get to the Northern Areas through the Karakoram Highway, but you won’t be able to visit any side valley.
Traveling in Pakistan in summer (June to September)
The best season for visiting the Northern Areas, especially if you like trekking in high-altitude mountains.
Traveling in Pakistan in spring & Autumn
I personally traveled to Pakistan in April and May and the mountains were at their best, as the weather was gorgeous (most days), plus they weren’t busy with domestic tourism.
Traveling in Pakistan during Ramadan
A topic by itself, with its pros & cons.
Lost with Purpose traveled in Pakistan during Ramadan and wrote this insightful post.
How to travel to Pakistan
How to travel to Pakistan by air
Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad have international airports connecting with Istanbul and many Middle Eastern cities, especially Doha and Dubai.
How to travel to Pakistan by land
Pakistan shares a border with Iran, Afghanistan, India, and China.
How to travel from Afghanistan to Pakistan by land
With the new Taliban Government, the border crossing at Khyber Pass is fully open, and no permits are required.
We crossed it in 2023, it’s quite an adventure.
How to travel from China to Pakistan by land
At 4600 meters above sea level, this is one of the highest border crossings in the world.
Read my report.
How to travel from India to Pakistan by land
It’s possible to cross at Wagah. It’s an easy one to cross, despite the diplomatic relationship between the countries.
How to travel from India to Pakistan by land
It goes through Baluchistan, and it is quite an adventure.
Cultural behavior and facts when traveling in Pakistan
Urdu, which is like Hindi, is the official language
However, each region has its own (or several) local languages, so different from each other. English is widely spoken among educated people, like in India.
Pakistan is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse countries
From the South Asian-looking people of Punjab and Sindh; to the people of the Pashtun areas, closer to Iran or Afghanistan; the pagan culture of Kalash; the Shias from Gilgit and Nagar; the Ismailis of lower Hunza and the Wakhis (and also Ismailis) of upper Hunza.
Traveling in Pakistan is like traveling in several, different tiny countries. It’s fascinating.
Remember, you are the guest
People tend to say that, in Iran, Sudan and Iraqi Kurdistan, you find the most hospitable people in the world.
Well, clearly, they haven’t visited Pakistan.
Whereas it’s true that these countries are very hospitable, Pakistanis bring it to the next level. In this country, you are the guest, which means that the locals strive for you to have the best possible time in their country or region.
The hospitality can even be overwhelming
During your trip to Pakistan, you’ll be invited for lunch, dinner and even to stay at people’s houses so many times that, on many occasions, you will have to refuse.
After your refusal, they will insist once again, over and over.
They will also insist on carrying your bag and offering you food one hundred times even if you say that you are full.
These are their cultural rules and you are the guest.
So overwhelming, but just don’t get angry
One day, some random men who I had never seen before came to my hotel at 7:30 am in the morning, knocking at the door of my room, waking me up from a very good sleep.
Apparently, they heard that there was a foreigner in the village, so they just wanted to hang out with me.
I got a little bit angry, continued sleeping but then I kind of felt bad, as all they wanted was to show me around the village.
Paying for meals
For some reason, Pakistanis always want to pay for your meals to the extent that it gets awkward.
I personally didn’t like it, especially when I could see that the local people didn’t have much money.
If possible, try to back them up.
Wearing a Shalwar Kameez
The traditional Pakistani dress, which 80% or 90% of Pakistanis wear, is called shalwar kameez.
Should you wear it?
It’s not compulsory but, if you do, the locals will really appreciate it, especially in the Pashtun areas.
Islam
Pakistan is the most conservative country I’ve ever been to.
You should be careful and always respect their rules.
If you do, they will also respect you and you will have the best time in their country.
Security and safety when you travel in Pakistan
Join our Pakistan expedition
Join a group of like-minded travelers to visit some remote and off-the-beaten-track valleys in the Northern Areas of Pakistan.
September 14th to 27th, 2025
Pakistan is not dangerous but you should be cautious.
You might have read from other blogs that Pakistan is one of the safest countries in the world.
Personally, I wouldn’t say that. Whereas I think that Pakistan is not a dangerous country, in some areas, it’s better to be cautious, especially in the southern part of the country.
Read: Is Afghanistan safe?
However, the situation is only getting better and better
Seriously, safety in Pakistan has improved exponentially.
Police are there to help you
Throughout your Pakistan travels, you’ll be continuously interrogated by dozens of different policemen and people from the army.
Who are you? Why are you here? Where are you going?
Unlike in other countries, in Pakistan, the police and military are pretty cool and, for your own security, they are commanded to ask you these questions.
Update: This doesn’t really apply in the north of Pakistan any longer, but more like in the south, Sindh and Balochistan provinces.
Bring passport & visa photocopies
It’s good to bring loads of photocopies because, at some check posts, if you have a passport copy, you don’t have to get out of the car. Otherwise, you are going to waste your time.
Occasionally, you get a personal guard, for free
For security purposes, in some areas, you will get a personal armed guard.
Sometimes, you might have to pay for his meals but, according to the police, you are not forced to.
It’s up to you.
For more information, read my post: Is Pakistan safe?
Update: This doesn’t really apply in the north of Pakistan any longer, but more like in the south, Sindh and Balochistan provinces.
Having a personal armed guard seems kind of cool but, to be honest, it’s not that much
The first time you get an armed guard you get kind of excited. However, after half an hour, you might start hating him because he will put you under a lot of restrictions.
Pakistani intelligence is one of the best secret services in the world
One of the reasons why Pakistan is not a dangerous country is thanks to the Pakistani intelligence, which is considered the best intelligence corps in the world, even better than the CIA.
Be aware that they are watching your steps and they will always know where you are.
I remember that, while hiking around a remote area in the Astore Valley, a man wearing a salwar kameez (the traditional Pakistani clothes), came to me and said, ”You are the Spanish, right?” Yes, he was from Pakistani intelligence.
For further information on safety, including which areas are the safest, read my post: Is Pakistan safe?
You may also be interested in which countries in the Middle East are safe?
Solo female travel in Pakistan
Women traveling solo is more common and safer than you think
Women tell wonderful things about their experiences during their journeys through Pakistan, but they also say that this is a particularly challenging destination, home to a very conservative, patriarchal society who don’t really know how to deal with foreign women.
I’m not the most qualified person to talk about this topic, however, but Spanish traveler Leti Lagarda backpacked in Pakistan solo for 2 months, and has written a compelling guide about it, which will tell you everything you need to know about solo female travel in Pakistan, including:
- Interaction with men
- Safety tips
- Cultural etiquette
- What to wear
- And much more
Read the ultimate guide to solo women travel in Pakistan
Internet and connectivity in Pakistan
Wi-Fi in Pakistan
Wi-Fi is often bad, so I recommend getting a SIM Card for your trip to Pakistan. In larger cities, however, hotels will often have decent wI-Fi, good enough for simple browsing.
In the Northern Areas, Wi-Fi is generally awful, if present at all.
SIM Card in Pakistan
4G works reasonably well across the country, except in the Northern Areas.
I recommend getting either ZONG or Telenor.
In the Northern Areas, you can buy a SIM Card from a regional provider named SCOM, whose offices can be found in Gilgit and Karimabad. Nevertheless, remember that there’s very little coverage throughout the region.
eSIM for browsing, calling and traveling in Pakistan
An eSIM is a regular SIM card with a digital format that works like a normal physical card, with the added benefit that you can buy it online before or during your trip, hence avoiding the hassle of buying it in a local store.
With Airalo, you can get an eSIM for a wide range of destinations, including Pakistan.
Get a VPN for traveling in Pakistan
You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks.
Your connection will be much safer.
Moreover, you will be able to access content which is typically censored in Pakistan.
I recommend ExpressVPN – Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap.
If you want to learn more about VPN, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling.
Money in Pakistan
In Pakistan, they use the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) and approximately:
1USD = 280 PKR
Cash & ATMs
Pakistan is a cash economy, so better bring cash, especially in the Northern Areas.
You can find ATMs in all big cities but not all of them will accept foreign cards.
How much does it cost to travel to Pakistan
But before, a few things you need to know:
- In Pakistan, everything is negotiable: Everything can be bargained for, especially the hotel rooms. Expect to pay different amounts from other guests.
- Always come with a reference: When you travel in Pakistan, contacts are very important and that’s why in either hotels or trekking tour companies if you come referenced by a local, you will get a better price.
In any case, this is a pretty cheap country and I think you can easily travel to Pakistan for less than $20 a day, sleeping in private rooms and eating 3 meals outside.
These are the (approximate) prices of the most typical things:
- Local meal – 150PKR
- Local meal in a mid-range restaurant – 250-500PKR
- Meal in a fancy restaurant of Lahore – from 1500PKR
- Private room in a budget hotel – Up to 1500PKR
- Private room in a mid-range hotel – Around 3,000PKR
- Long bus rides (Islamabad to Gilgit) – Around 2,500PKR for a VIP ticket (you want to get a VIP, trust me)
Transportation for traveling around Pakistan
You’ll get used to the mountain roads
Most mountain roads are very scary as they are extremely narrow and built on insanely high cliffs. Don’t panic. You’ll just get used to them!
You will learn to be patient
In aalmost every long bus journey I took, we had a breakdown. Sometimes, we were stopped for two hours!
And one day, we stopped because the bus ran out of gas!
Psychedelic trucks are a way of life
Everybody falls in love with the trucks in Pakistan, as they are so particularly decorated that they are a blessing to your lens.
Ways of moving around when you travel in Pakistan
Traveling around Pakistan by train
Pakistan has an extensive rail network connecting many cities in Sindh, Punjab and also Peshawar.
For schedules and prices, check the Pakistan Railway website.
I recommend AC Standard, the type of ticket typically purchased by the Pakistani middle class.
For more information, check this train guide to Pakistan.
Traveling around Pakistan by bus
Public buses & minivans go everywhere.
Daewoo is a premium bus company that can take you anywhere across Afghanistan.
For traveling to the Northern Areas, I recommend NATCO.
Both these companies are considered high-end as per Pakistani standards. Alternatively, local minivans are much cheaper, but they are very uncomfortable.
One of the worst bus trips I have ever taken was in a local minivan from Mingora to Chitral, a 12-hour ride in the tiniest minivan ever, but a great local adventure and experience.
Hitchhiking in Pakistan
Hitchhiking in Pakistan is too easy, easier and faster than traveling by public transportation, especially along the Karakoram Highway.
Everybody will want to pick you up!
As a general rule, on the KKH, I didn’t hitchhike on motorbikes (there are too many accidents) and cars with women inside.
Traveling around Pakistan by plane
Flying can be pretty convenient as well.
Traveling by bus from Islamabad to the Northern Areas, including Chitral, Gilgit and Skardu takes ages (from 15 to 20 hours).
There are flights connecting Islamabad with all these cities. You can book them on PIA.
Remember, however, that for flying to and from Gilgit, it’s recommended to book several days or weeks in advance. Also, bear in mind that many flights get canceled due to weather condition.
Read: 80 Tips for traveling to Iran
Food, drinks, and alcohol
Food is extremely oily
Pakistanis love oil too much. They put tons of it in absolutely every meal, including in the steamed rice, which they will always fry afterwards. When you are in a restaurant, always ask for half fried.
It’s almost dry
In the Sindh province and Islamabad, you can find liquor stores. In the rest of the country, alcohol is only available on the black market, but most locals (who drink) can get it for you easily.
Expect to have ten cups of chai a day
Chai, which is tea with milk, is a way of life in Pakistan and a sign of hospitality.
Tap water, watch out!
Don’t dare drink tap water. In the northern part of the country, the locals will tell you that the tap water is good, as it comes from the mountains and glaciers. This may be true, but I still got sick when I drank from a mountain fountain. Always use a water purifier.
You’ll get sick
I don’t know anyone who didn’t get sick in his stomach when traveling in Pakistan. Try to avoid salad, food stalls with flies (they are hard to find) and don’t drink tap water.
Accommodation when you are traveling to Pakistan
There are all types of hotels across the country, from budget rooms to a few hostels and luxury hotels.
Booking sites such as Hostelworld and Booking.com are increasing in popularity but, depending on the destination you travel to, you may not find a lot of options or, at least, no budget hotels.
If you want to stay in a budget hotel or local guesthouse, you may have to read blogs or ask anyone online. In my Pakistan Itinerary, I give some options.
Anyway, there are a few things you need to know about accommodation in Pakistan:
Prices can be negotiated to the extreme
Whenever they tell you the price, ask if they have a cheaper room. Seriously, on many occasions, I managed to get half of the initial price.
If you are on a budget, always ask if they have a dorm
Surprisingly, many hotels have dorms and they don’t tell you until the end of the negotiation. The good thing is that, since there are not many backpackers, you are most likely to get the dorm just for yourself!
It can be hard to find decent, cheap accommodation in certain parts of the country
In cities like Peshawar, Karachi, Multan, and basically anywhere outside of Swat Valley, Chitral, Northern areas, Islamabad and Lahore, finding decent (budget) accommodation can be challenging.
Couchsurfing is very popular!
There are loads of profiles, especially in big cities.
If you want to know all my hotel recommendations per city, read my Pakistan Itinerary
More information for traveling to Pakistan
In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.
All guides and articles for traveling in Pakistan destination
That’s everything you need to know! If you think I forgot something, please let me know! Ah, and remember that, in Pakistan, you shouldn’t plan too much! Welcome to the country of unexpected events.
From endless bus breakdowns to time-consuming check posts, new local friends and paradises where you want to spend ages, during your Pakistan travels, you will realize that nothing will go according to your plan.
Travel guides to other countries in Central Asia
You might also like our Iran travel guide.
