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
