Tourism Infrastructure of Pakistan

Pakistan stretches from the Arabian Sea coast in the south to the Karakoram, Himalaya and Hindu Kush ranges in the north. Five of the world's fourteen 8,000-metre peaks, including K2 and Nanga Parbat, stand inside its borders. Over the last decade the tourism infrastructure of Pakistan has grown fast: new motorways, upgraded airports, an online visa system and many new hotels and guesthouses in the mountains.

Big cities like Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi have international hotels, ride-hailing apps and modern malls. The northern valleys are simpler: good roads on the main routes, family-run hotels, and patchy internet in remote areas. Knowing what to expect helps you plan a smooth trip.

Most international visitors land in Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi. Islamabad International Airport is the best gateway for the northern mountains, while Karachi is the gateway to Sindh and the coast. Pakistan has more than a dozen airports with international status, and a network of small domestic airports that make the mountains reachable in an hour instead of two days by road.

The famous flight from Islamabad to Skardu or Gilgit passes close to Nanga Parbat. These mountain flights depend on clear weather, so always keep a spare day in your plan in case a flight is cancelled.

The Karakoram Highway runs from Hasan Abdal near Islamabad to the Khunjerab Pass on the China border at about 4,700 m, one of the highest paved border crossings in the world. It passes Besham, Chilas, the meeting point of the three great ranges near Jaglot, Gilgit, Hunza and Sost. The Hazara Motorway now covers the first stretch, cutting hours from the drive to the north.

Other key mountain roads are the Jaglot–Skardu road (S-1) to Baltistan, the Babusar Pass road (open in summer) between Naran and Chilas, and the Lowari Tunnel road that keeps Chitral open in winter.

Pakistan Railways runs a network of roughly 7,500 km, built mostly in the British era and linking Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Multan and Quetta. Trains are slow compared with motorways, but a long rail journey in an air-conditioned sleeper is a classic way to see the Punjab and Sindh plains. Tickets can be booked at stations, through the Pakistan Railways app or on the official Pakistan Railways website.

• Green Line Express: Karachi to Islamabad, one of the faster premium services.
• Karakoram Express: Karachi to Lahore.
• Khyber Mail: one of the oldest trains, Karachi to Peshawar.

There are no railways in the northern mountains, so trips to Hunza, Skardu or Swat are by road or air.

SIM cards and internet

• Main mobile networks: Jazz, Zong, Telenor and Ufone. In Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, SCOM often has the best coverage.
• Foreigners can buy a SIM at an official franchise with their passport; biometric registration is required.
• Foreign phones are temporarily allowed on local SIMs for a limited period under PTA rules.
• 4G is good in cities and on main roads; expect weak or no signal on treks and in remote valleys.
• Hotels and cafés in cities and in Hunza usually offer Wi-Fi.

Money and payments

• Cash in Pakistani Rupees is king, especially in the mountains.
• ATMs are common in cities and found in Gilgit, Hunza (Aliabad, Karimabad), Skardu and Chitral, but can run out of cash; carry enough before heading to remote areas.
• Cards are accepted in big hotels, malls and restaurants in cities.
• Exchange US dollars, euros or pounds at licensed exchange companies or banks.