Pakistan: the land of many splendors, is a year-round destination. However winter is the best time to visit southern Pakistan. The rest of the country is very beautiful in spring and autumn when the spring flowers and autumn colors are at their best. For trekking and mountaineering, June to September are the recommended months.
Getting to Pakistan
By Air
More than 25 airlines fly to Pakistan from over 40 countries. Most of the flights arrive at Karachi, but Islamabad, Lahore, & Peshawar also have direct flights from the main Mediterranean, Middle East and European cities, as well as New York, Toronto and Nairobi.
By Land
From China: The Khunjerab Pass is open from 1st May to 31st October for groups and to 15 November for individual tourists.
From India: Wagha is the only land border open between Pakistan and India (Lahore-Amritsar route). The Wagha border post is open daily for foreigners; Summer (16 April to 15 October) 08:30 to 14:30 hrs and Winter (16 October to 15 April).
From Iran: Pak-Iran border crossing is only possible through Taftan-Zahidan, from 09:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs with break from 13:00 hrs to 14:00 hrs.
By Sea
No passenger boats or ships for the general public sail to or from Pakistan at present.
Visa Information
All foreigners coming to Pakistan need a valid passport. Tourists from the following countries do not need visa to enter Pakistan for the period specified as under;

Iceland, Maldives, Singapore, South Korea, Zambia and Mauritius for 3 months.
Hong Kong, Nepal and Western Samoa for 1 month.
Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago for unlimited period.

Landing permit/transit visa for 30 days shall be given at entry points/airports, by Pakistan Immigration, free of cost, to genuine tourists after satisfying about their bonafied, if they possess return air ticket and sufficient amount of foreign currency. Such landing permit/transit visa should be regularized from the nearest Regional Passport & Immigration Office, within its validity. Landing permit facility is not available for the nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Palestine, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Serbia, Tanzania and Uganda. However, it is always better to obtain visa from Pakistan embassies abroad, before entering Pakistan. Nationals of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are allowed to enter Pakistan with valid Pakistani visa and passport either of their own country or of the former Soviet Union. Israeli passport holders are not allowed entry into Pakistan.
Application Requirement for Visa:

Valid passport.
passport-size photographs.
Completed application form.
Confirmed return/onward air-ticket (if traveling by air).
Proof of sufficient amount of foreign currency.
Visa fee varies from country to country and type of visa.

Validity of Visa and other Information :

Visa once issued, can be utilized within 6 months from the date of issue or as provided for.
A single journey entry visa is valid for a stay up to 3 months unless other wise provided.
Multiple journey visa is valid for a stay of 5 months at one time. Any number of journeys (normally six) during a specified period not exceeding one year, are allowed on such visas.
Double entry visa can be issued to genuine tourists by Pakistani embassies abroad, if they possess return air tickets and sufficient amount of foreign currency.
Visa extension (maximum up to 3 months) is granted by Regional Passport & Immigration Offices in major cities of Pakistan (Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi and Quetta etc.).
Foreign tourists entering Pakistan through regular check posts do not need any road permit. There is no fresh visa required to travel from one province to another province of Pakistan, however, permission is needed for visit to some restricted areas. Please contact any PTDC Tourist Information Centre for details in this regard.
Tourists not staying over 30 days in Pakistan, do not require any Police Registration.
Visitors staying over 30 days need to register themselves with the District Foreigners Registration Office within 30 days of their arrival in Pakistan. They should get a resident permit from the Registration Office in exchange to the temporary registration (form ‘C’) issued to them by Immigration authorities at the time of entry Indian and Afghan visitors are required to obtain Police Registration within 24 hours of their arrival in Pakistan.

Car Hires / Taxi Service
There are car hire facilities at all International Airports. Agencies also function in major hotels. In the streets you get yellow cabs or taxis. Metered taxis of different capacities are available everywhere in the big cities. In case of difficulty, get the assistance of Police officials on duty.
Car Rental
Apart from a valid driving licence for self-driven rented cars, firms insist on a minimum age of 21 and may refuse to rent a car to any one over 60. Pakistan observes, "Right Hand Drive".
Distances on the roads are indicated in Roman numerical and also mentioned in Urdu. Sometimes there may be confusion between kilometers and miles. Within the city, especially on busy roads, it is better to drive within 50 kilometers (31 miles) per hours.
Railways
The railroad network is extensive, but when travelling, go first class or in an air-conditioned coach for comfort. Ideally, rent a "Tourist Car" which can be attached to any train. Fares are cheap by Western Standards and bookings should be done in advance both for seats and sleepers. Pakistan Railways also offer special concessions to tourists and well maintained Rest Houses are also offered when these are available.
Communications
Post & Telegraph Services: Countrywide postal, telegraphic and telephone facilities are available. Fax and telex services are available.
Special services offered by Pakistan Post Office include:

Telephone & Exchanges
Telephone facility is available in almost all the cities. More than 100 cities are linked with nation wide direct dialing system. For codes consult any telephone directory. Cellular mobile telephones are also available in big cities. They can also be hired on daily basis. Pay card phone booths are also installed at important places in big cities.
Courier Services
Courier services for sending your documents and letters are available in private sector as well. These services are more expensive but the delivery is taken from the sender's address of the addressee. These service are also available for international points.
Accommodation
Pakistan's main cities - the Federal Capital, Islamabad and its twin city Rawalpindi, as well as the Provincial capitals, except Quetta i.e. Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar have international standard 5 - Star accommodation for tourists. In Quetta, the Provincial capital of Balochistan, a 4-Star Serena Hotel is located. Serena Hotel is also located in Faisalabad, Gilgit and Hunza. In all these touristically important cities, good international standard accommodation is available. Main cities have hotels suitable for every pocket.
Tourists in search of cheaper accommodation should try the local Youth Hostels or YMCA's hostels which offer clean accommodation and wholesome atmosphere at cheaper fare then the 3 or 4-Star hotels.
The Rest Houses owned by the various Government Departments all over the country are also available for tourists after advance bookings. This is, however, a cumbersome process as one has to reach the right official who can only rent out the Rest House to a tourist if it is not required by a government official during that period. In the Northern Areas and Hill Stations, however, Rest Houses have been built by local authorities, especially for travellers and tourists. The accommodation at these places is good and at places watchmen-cum-chefs are available which reduces the expenses of board considerable.
PTDC operates Rest Houses or Motels in a number of beautiful places where tourists go. These include Ziarat near Quetta, Taxila. Moenjodaro and various hill towns in the Northern Areas.
Banks
The State Bank of Pakistan is the Central Bank. There are domestic commercial banks - Allied Bank, Habib Bank, National Bank of Pakistan, United Bank, Cooperative Banks, 8 development finance organisations and 15 principal foreign banks including ANZ Grindlays, Abn Amro, Emirates Bank International, American Express and City Bank.
Banking Timings
Office Hours: 9 am to 5 pm with one hour break from Monday to Thursday and with two hours break on Friday. Saturday is half working day from 9 am to 1:30 pm without break. Sunday is off.
Counter Services : 9 am to 1:30 pm from Monday to Thursday and 9 am to 12:30 on Friday and Saturday, with no break.
Special timings may be observed during the month of Ramazan, and you should make sure if you happen to be in the country in this holy month.
Credit Cards
Major credit cards such as American Express, Visa, Master Card, and others besides Rupee credit cards launched by National Bank of Pakistan & Habib Bank etc. can be used for our shopping and other transactions.
Laundry & Hair Dressing
First class hotels offer 24-hour laundering and dry cleaning services as well as hair dressing facilities. Many Hair Dressing Establishments and Beauty Parlours are available in the cities. These are generally closed on Mondays.
Medical Facilities
All the cities have modern hospitals and Medical Centers staffed by western-trained specialists. There are private clinics as well. The European standard medical facilities are pretty cheap. In the rural areas, however, you should be careful to carry your own drugs, which are easily available in all towns. The foreigners, especially from the developed countries are advised to be careful of their drinking water. Outside the 4 or 5 Star Hotels, the water may not have been boiled and they should make inquiries about it and ensure the standard of drinking water, which goes well with their health.
Liquor
Liquor is completely banned for Muslims in Pakistan. Foreigners and non-Muslims can have it on permits or in hotels wherever available. It cannot be imported in baggage. Import of liquor is banned except for the mountaineering, trekking and scientific expeditions.
The process for getting a permit is to get a certificate from a Tourist Information Center and then call at the Excise and Taxation Office where a nominal fee is charged. In a first class hotel you can buy liquor and enjoy it in your rooms. Beer and some other drinks are produced locally. These are less expensive than the importer ones and the standard is also reasonable.
Tipping
Service charges are added to the bill in some restaurants and hotels. When tipping for food and other services, use your discretion.