Arriving in Pakistan: Airports, Overland Routes and Which Entry to Choose

A practical guide to Pakistan's main air gateways and the overland crossings from China, India and Iran, with transfer times and trip-planning tips.

Flying in: Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi

Most international arrivals land at Islamabad International Airport, about 25 to 35 kilometres west of the city centre depending on your route, with a 30 to 50 minute drive to Blue Area or F-7 once you clear immigration. Lahore's Allama Iqbal International is closer in, roughly 15 kilometres from Gulberg and 20 from the Walled City, and Karachi's Jinnah International sits about 16 kilometres from Saddar. Direct services from the Gulf, Turkey, Malaysia and Thailand are common; fares from Dubai or Doha typically sit in the low-to-mid hundreds of US dollars return, but check live schedules because route networks shift.

Peshawar's Bacha Khan International is the handiest gateway for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the city itself, with the terminal a short 15 to 20 minute drive from the cantonment and Saddar. Flights from the Gulf land here too, though frequencies are thinner than at Lahore or Islamabad. If your itinerary is Peshawar plus the northern valleys, fly straight in rather than routing via Islamabad and driving four hours up the M-1 motorway. If you want Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar in one loop, land in Lahore, work north by road, and fly out of Peshawar.

Overland from China: the Karakoram Highway

The Khunjerab Pass, at around 4,700 metres on the Pakistan-China border, links Gilgit-Baltistan with China's Xinjiang region via the Karakoram Highway. It is a seasonal crossing, generally open from early April to late November, and snow closures are common at either end of that window. From Kashgar the drive to the border takes most of a day; on the Pakistan side, Sost in Hunza is the first town with onward transport, roughly two to three hours from the pass and about two hours from Karimabad. Buses and shared vans run the Sost to Gilgit leg daily in season, taking five to six hours.

This is a slow, high, spectacular approach rather than a quick one. Acclimatise in Hunza for a night or two before pushing on, and build a spare day into your plan for weather or road delays. Private 4x4 transfers are the comfortable option; public coaches are cheaper and slower. If you only have a week, skip the overland and fly to Gilgit instead, then continue by road to Hunza, Skardu or Chitral according to season.

Land borders with India and Iran

The Wagah-Attari crossing between Lahore and Amritsar operates daily for third-country nationals, with formalities on each side. From Lahore, Wagah is about 25 kilometres east along the Grand Trunk Road, a 40 to 60 minute drive. Trains between the two countries run on limited days, so confirm before planning around them. The Sost route and Wagah are entirely different experiences: Wagah is quick and straightforward in principle but queues vary widely, so allow a half day either side rather than booking tight onward transport.

The Taftan crossing from Iran into Balochistan is the country's most demanding overland entry. It involves long desert stretches on the Iranian side, a remote border post, and a very long road onward to Quetta — effectively a full day or more of driving with an overnight en route. Most travellers with limited time fly instead. If you do take it, arrange transport in advance and travel in the cooler months from November to February. I would not recommend it for a first visit or for solo travellers with a fixed schedule.

Choosing your entry point and where to stay first

For a first trip, fly into Islamabad and base yourself in F-6 or F-7, where guesthouses and mid-range hotels cluster and the Margalla Hills are a short drive away; rooms in these sectors typically fall in a moderate band, higher than Rawalpindi's Raja Bazaar area but far below international chain rates. Lahore's Gulberg and DHA offer comfortable hotels with easy access to Food Street and the Badshahi Mosque, while Peshawar's Saddar and University Road areas put you close to the bazaar and museum. Book the first two nights ahead, especially in Peshawar where demand for dependable rooms runs ahead of supply.

Time your trip by region rather than by month alone: October to April suits the plains — Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Karachi — while May to September is the window for Hunza, Skardu and the northern valleys. Spring brings blossom in Hunza and autumn clear skies over Nanga Parbat. Avoid the June heat in the southern cities and the monsoon downpours in July and August. Whichever gateway you choose, reserve your arrival-night hotel before you fly, so a long immigration queue does not end with you hunting for a room.

Questions, answered

Do I need to book a hotel before arriving in Pakistan?

It is strongly recommended, especially in Peshawar, Lahore and Islamabad where popular mid-range properties fill quickly. Have your first two nights confirmed and a screenshot of the address and phone number ready for immigration and your driver.

Which airport is easiest for a first trip to Pakistan?

Islamabad International offers the widest choice of connections and a straightforward 30 to 50 minute transfer into the city. Lahore is convenient for the Walled City and Wagah, while Karachi suits southern itineraries and coastal trips.

When is the Khunjerab Pass open?

Generally from early April to late November, weather depending. Snow can close the pass at either end of the season, so allow a buffer day in Hunza or Kashgar and check conditions locally before setting out.

← Pakistan's page