Travel Essentials › Pakistan
Travel Essentials
Plugs: Types C and D, 230 V. Emergency: Police 15, Ambulance 1122, Fire 16. Tipping: Around 5-10% in restaurants; small tips for porters, drivers and guides are customary. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.
Types C and D, 230 V
| Police | 15 |
| Ambulance | 1122 |
| Fire | 16 |
Around 5-10% in restaurants; small tips for porters, drivers and guides are customary.
Greetings and gender norms. Men shake hands with men; wait for a woman to extend her hand first, or greet with a nod/hand over the heart. Conservative dress (covering arms and legs) is expected for both genders, especially outside big cities.
Hospitality. Pakistanis are famously hospitable; accepting tea or food when offered is polite, and it's normal for strangers to insist on helping visitors.
Religious observance. Public eating/drinking during Ramadan daylight hours is discouraged; dress modestly at mosques and shrines, and women may need to cover their hair.
Security has improved significantly in major cities and the northern tourist areas (Hunza, Skardu, Gilgit) in recent years, but some regions, particularly parts of Balochistan and areas near the Afghan border, carry higher risk and are best avoided or visited only with local guidance; check current advisories by region rather than treating the whole country as one risk level.
Overcharging and fake guides. Unofficial guides and shopkeepers may inflate prices for foreigners; agree on costs upfront and book tours through recommended, established operators.
Currency exchange tricks. Count cash carefully during exchanges and use banks or well-known exchange counters rather than street changers.
Photo/'donation' requests. Some people may ask for money after posing for photos or offering unsolicited help; agree in advance or politely decline the interaction.
Women travelers. Solo women travelers often draw significant staring and curiosity, especially outside major cities and tourist routes; dressing conservatively, traveling with a guide or group, and avoiding being out alone late at night substantially reduces hassle, and many report positive experiences with hospitable locals.
Death penalty
Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized under Section 377 (up to life imprisonment) and the Hudood Ordinance's zina provisions carry a theoretical death penalty for extramarital sex, though this is not enforced against gay people specifically; LGBTQ+ travelers should exercise significant discretion and avoid any public display of affection or advocacy.
| Coffee (café) | PKR 540 | $2 |
| Local bus or metro ride | PKR 50 | $0.20 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | PKR 2,000 | $7 |
| Hostel bed / budget room (night) | PKR 2,000 | $7 |
| Mid-range hotel (night) | PKR 9,300 | $33 |
| Daily budget, mid-range traveler | PKR 8,000 | $29 |
2026-09
For the lowland cities (Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad) October-March is coolest and most comfortable; for the northern mountains (Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral), May-October is when roads and high passes are open and trekking is possible.
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