12 ways to enjoy Pakistan on a budget

03.09.2023 - 12:15 / lonelyplanet.com

Budget-friendly Pakistan should be an obvious choice for cost-conscious travelers who want a proper adventure without breaking the bank. Most of the country is accessible by public transport and you can find accommodation and food at budget prices wherever you go. 

Visiting Pakistan out of season and traveling in the same style as locals will help you save money and also give you a more authentic and memorable experience. Here are our top tips for budget travel in Pakistan. 

International flight tickets and your accommodation are likely to be the two biggest costs of any trip to Pakistan, so if you are looking to save money on travel, book your visit outside of the peak season. The summer months are the busiest and most expensive time to come, as many members of the Pakistani diaspora return from abroad during the school holidays and city dwellers head to the mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan to escape the sweltering heat.

The l ate spring months from March to May and the autumn months from October to November tend to be quieter, however. Temperatures are more pleasant, so you won’t need to book pricier air-conditioned accommodation and all parts of the country are accessible, including the mountains in the north. You will find better prices on flights and hotels right across the country. 

The airports in Karachi , Lahore , and Islamabad are well-served by international airlines, but the cost of direct flights can be high, especially on routes with lower demand. One of the top budget travel tips for Pakistan is to search for connecting flights via major hubs like Dubai and Istanbul , as competition on these busy routes drives down ticket prices. 

You may also be able to book with a budget airline for one or more legs of the flight, but give yourself lots of time to connect, and always check whether or not hold baggage is included in the ticket price to avoid a nasty last-minute surprise and extra costs at the check-in desk.

More than 60 nationalities are now entitled to apply for an electronic travel authorization (ETA) to visit Pakistan, which allows you to get your visa on arrival, so be sure to check if your country is on the list. If you apply online rather than submitting your paperwork at a Pakistan embassy or consulate, your visa will be cheaper and you’ll also save on travel costs to and from the consulate. 

Note that the visa fee depends on which passport you hold, as well as the number of entries permitted, so if you are fortunate enough to be a dual national, apply with whichever passport is cheaper. The difference can be significant – British and American citizens pay US$60 for a tourist visa, while French and German travelers pay US$35.  


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