Travel to Pakistan

Pakistan: travel information

How do you get to Pakistan?

Pakistan’s national airline, Pakistan International Airlines (Internet: www.piac.com.ok) flies to 47 destinations worldwide. International connections to Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia go through Islamabad International Airport (Benazir Bhutto International Airport or Islamabad International Airport or Chaklala Airbase), currently the third largest airport in Pakistan. The airport is located in Rawalpindi and is to be relieved after the completion of the New Islamabad International Airport in Fateh Jang, which is currently under construction. The new airport should be ready for use in 2010.

Travel in the country

Bus

There are regular bus connections between most towns and villages. There is an hourly bus on the Lahore to Rawalpindi and Peshawar route. Skyways and Daewoo are highly recommended bus operators in Pakistan. While Skyways maintains direct connections between Islamabad and Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi, Daewoo has its own bus terminal on the road between Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Most Daewoo buses run from there. The terminal can be reached by taxi from Islamabad, which takes around 45 minutes. Daewoo buses are best booked by phone (Tel: 0092 – (0) 51 -111 007 008) and in advance if possible. Daewoo is currently serving Peshawar, Lahore, Murree, Sialkot, Abottabad, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad and Multan.

Streets

The Pakistani road network covers approximately 254,410 km. Of these, about 43% are paved. The expressway network between the cities is well maintained. There are road links from the People’s Republic of China, India, Iran and Afghanistan to Pakistan. The route between Karachi and Lahore is the busiest. There are other connecting roads from Kabul (Afghanistan) to Rawalpindi and from Karachi to Quetta and the Iranian border. When leaving the country by land, a toll must be paid. In Pakistan there is left-hand traffic and a strict ban on alcohol (driving). The roads to India are currently closed.

There is a high risk of accidents in Islamabad and throughout the country, even if the roads in the Islamabad area are excellent. Traffic accidents involving buses or trucks occur almost every day in Pakistan. It is not uncommon for driver’s licenses to be obtained with the help of the ubiquitous baksheesh (a form of “tip”, but not to be fully equated with the term common in the West) and that car or bus drivers cannot read the traffic signs because they are mostly illiterate are. There are also overloaded vehicles, missing traffic signs, poor road conditions, etc.

Street signs and orientation aids in and around Islamabad can only be found on main roads, but due to the urban nature and the numbering system it is relatively easy to find your way around Islamabad.

Car rental

Car rental companies can be found in most major cities as well as at the airports of Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Most hotels also arrange rental cars. The numerous, inexpensive taxis are the best means of transport in the cities, but during Ramadan they often only run during the day. There are also motor rickshaws.

If you want to rent your own car, you need an International Driving License and should be 21 years of age or older. There are car rental companies in the Blue Area F-6 and G-8 Markaz, where you can rent cars with drivers. Even the big hotels usually offer cars for rent and are not necessarily expensive. A tip for the driver is not compulsory, but is of course gladly accepted.

Rail

The times when rail traffic was poor in Pakistan are over. Since the first class travel option has been available, it is therefore useful to keep in mind that Rawalpindi, the neighboring city of Islamabad, has a rail link with some Pakistani cities such as Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar.

The Samjhota Express from Lahore to Delhi runs every Monday and Thursday. There are express train connections from Quetta to Zahedan (Iran) and between Quetta and Tafta. There is an extensive rail network, the main line of which runs several day and night trains from Karachi to Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar. Most other routes have several connections a day. Children under three years of age travel for free, children between the ages of 3-11 pay only half. Pakistan Railways offers special discounts for tourists on presentation of a certificate issued by the Pakistan Tourist Development Corporation.

Air connections The

main operator of domestic flights is the national airline Pakistan International Airlines. Other flight services are offered by Aero Asia and Shaheen. There are several daily flights from Karachi to Lahore, Rawalpindi and other cities.

Taxis

There are an infinite number of taxis, especially in Islamabad. They are popular and generally very safe. Within a sector you will not have to pay more than between Rs35 and Rs45, which of course is only possible after previous action. Prices increase at night. You should always negotiate prices before starting your journey!

Formalities, visas

German travelers need a Pakistani entry visa. Travelers who do not have a visa will be rejected at the airports/borders. Children’s IDs should contain a photo regardless of the age of the child. The entry of a child in the passport of one of the parents is sufficient for entry, but it must be ensured that the issued visa also extends to the child. Children who have reached school age should travel with their own passport if possible. With Israeli entry stamps in your passport, difficulties can arise upon entry. All foreign visitors must report to the police authorities no later than 30 days after entering the country.

Local currency, import and export of foreign currency

Local currency

The national currency of Pakistan is the Pakistani rupee = 100 Paisa.

Import and export of foreign currency

  • Local currencyThe import and export of the local currency is limited to 100 PR.
  • Foreign currenciesUnrestricted import and export of foreign currencies. Up to 500 PR can be exchanged for foreign currencies on presentation of the exchange receipt.

Import and export of goods

The import of alcohol, matches, plants, fruit and vegetables is prohibited. The export of antiques is prohibited.

It goes without saying that the importation of weapons, drugs or pornographic material is strictly forbidden and any violation is punishable by severe penalties.

Tourist office

Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation

Flashman’s Hotel, The Mall

Rawalpindi

Tel: 0092 – 51 – 92 71 591/-92

Email: info@tourism.gov.pk

Email: support@tourism.gov.pk

Web: www.tourism.gov.pk

Pakistan: Travel Medicine Vaccinations and Warnings

Infectious Diseases

  • Malaria: There is a risk of malaria in the country nationwide and all year round at altitudes below approx. 2,000 m. About 50% of the infections occur with the very dangerous malaria tropica, the other 50% with malaria tertiana.
  • Amoebic dysentery
  • Bacterial agitation
  • Cholera – but there is only a risk of infection for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
  • Dengue fever disease
  • Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoeba, lamblia, salmonella, shigella, worm infestation and all kinds of viruses and bacteria
  • Typhus
  • Hepatitis A and B
  • Japanese encephalitis
  • Kala Azar disease – especially in the north-west of the country (Rajasthan)
  • Leishmaniasis disease – there is an increased risk especially for children and adolescents.
  • Polio, polio
  • tetanus
  • Rabies – especially from numerous stray dogs
  • Typhoid – however, there is only a risk of infection for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.

Recommended vaccinations

when traveling to Pakistan are recommended vaccinations against the following diseases:

  • Cholera – but only among travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
  • Diphtheria – a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist, also in the home country.
  • Hepatitis A and B
  • Japanese encephalitis
  • Polio, polio – vaccination against polio should always exist, also in the home country.
  • Tetanus – a vaccination against tetanus should always exist, also in the home country.
  • Rabies – but only for high-risk travelers who can come into contact with the vector animals.
  • Typhoid – but only for travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.

Malaria prophylaxis

When traveling to the country, especially when traveling to the areas mentioned above, it is strongly advised to undergo malaria prophylaxis. However, if the side effects seem questionable to you, you should at least have a “stand-by preparation” with you.

Compulsory vaccination

For all persons who enter from an area of yellow fever infected by the WHO, there is a compulsory vaccination against an illness with yellow fever.

Yellow fever vaccination for children

In most countries where a yellow fever vaccination is compulsory, this also applies to children over one year of age, in some countries even from six months. It should be noted:

When vaccinated against yellow fever, there were a number of side effects such as B. Encephalitis. About two thirds of those affected were children under six months. Therefore, under no circumstances should children under this age be vaccinated. But children under one year of age should also not be vaccinated if possible. If in doubt, yellow fever infection areas must then be avoided.

Any vaccination against yellow fever may only be carried out in specially authorized yellow fever vaccination centers!

Current warnings

Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany

Citizens Service

Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000

www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de

International license plate

According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of Pakistan is:

PK

Pakistan: Diplomatic missions

Visit Countryaah for a full list of Pakistan embassies and consulates in each country around the world.

Representations of Pakistan in Germany

German representations in Pakistan

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Islamabad

Ramna 5

Islamabad

Tel: 0092 – (0) 51 – 227 94 30/-31/-32/-33/-34/-35

Fax: 0092 – (0) 51 – 227 94 36

Email: info@islamabad.diplo.de

Web: www.islamabad.diplo.de

Consulates

Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Karachi

Strasse 92-A/7, Block 5

Karachi

Tel: 0092 – (0) 21 – 587 37 82/83

0092 – (0) 21 – 587 02 34

Email: info@karachi.diplo.de

Web: www.karachi.diplo.de

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany in Lahore

11-B, Old FCC, off Ferozepur Road

Lahore

Tel: 0092 – (0) 42 – 35 77 51 98

E-Mail: infohkl@wol.net.pk

Austrian representations in Pakistan

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Austria in Islamabad

House 13, 1st Street Shalimar

F 6/3, Islamabad

POBox 1018

Tel: 0092 – (0) 51 – 220 97 10

E-Mail: islamabad-ob@bmeia.gv.at

The Austrian embassy in Pakistan is still responsible for Afghanistan.

Honorary Consulate in Karachi

15/1/B Khayaban-e Shujaat, Phase V, DHS

Karachi

Tel: 0092 – (0) 21 – 3587 71 28

E-Mail: austhonc@cyber.net.pk

Honorary Consulate in Lahore

50-C, Main Gulberg

Lahore

Tel: 0092 – (0) 42 – 3571 40 57

Representations of Pakistan in Austria

Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Vienna

Hofzeile 13

1190 Vienna

Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 368 73 8

E-Mail: parepvienna@gmail.com

Honorary Consulate General in Innsbruck

Meinhardtstrasse 9 Top 1

6020 Innsbruck

Tel: 0043 – (0) 5212 – 22 07 4

E-Mail: office@generalkonsulat-pakistan.org

Swiss representations in Pakistan

Swiss Embassy in Islamabad

Street 6, Diplomatic Enclave, G-5/4

Islamabad 44000, Pakistan

Tel: 0092 – (0) 51 – 227 92 91/-92/-93/-9

E-Mail: isl.vertretung@eda. admin.ch

Web: www.eda.admin.ch/islamabad

The Swiss embassy in Pakistan is still responsible for Afghanistan.

Swiss Consulate General in Karachi

98, Block 5, Clifton

Karachi 75600, Pakistan

Tel: 0092 – (0) 21 – 3587 39 87/90

E-Mail: kar.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Consulate at Lahore

9, Rose Lane

Sarfraz Rafiqui Road

Lahore 54810, Cantonment, Pakistan

Tel: 0092 – (0) 42 – 3666 17 49

0092 – (0) 42 – 3666 37 86

Email: solosoft@cyber.net.pk

Representations of Pakistan in Switzerland

Embassy in Bern

Bernastrasse 47

3005 Bern

Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 350 17 90

Email: parepberne@bluewin.ch

Email: embassyberne@yahoo.com

Consulate General in Zurich

PO Box, Stampfenbachstrasse 48

8035 Zurich

Tel: 0041 – (0) 44 – 822 30 14

0041 – (0) 79 – 413 09 37

Email: Khan.Khan@bluewin.ch

Travel to Pakistan