Flights from Dubai to Lahore

Lahore, the cultural heart of Pakistan

Lahore, with its rich history, is the largest Punjabi city and main cultural centre in the Punjab, hosting many festivals, arts and music events. The city has many mosques, temples, churches and shrines like the Data Durbar Complex, near the Bhati Gate into the Walled City. There are also many buildings with British colonial architecture.

Best Lahore season

The best period for visiting Lahore is between November and March. May to September can be very hot and the monsoon season falls between June and September.

Tips before leaving for Lahore

A visa is necessary for British passport holders visiting Pakistan. All passport expiry dates should be at least 6 months in advance of the date the visa is applied for. There's a risk of catching malaria, so visit your GP for advice on malaria medication. Recommended vaccinations include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio and for visitors travelling about in Pakistan, Rabies.

For your safety, be aware that it's prohibited to consume alcohol in public places. There are high penalties for drug possession and use, blasphemy, and adultery. The cost of living is much cheaper than in the UK. A cheap restaurant meal costs about 200 PKR and non-alcoholic drinks are roughly 50 PKR. Bottled water from a supermarket costs about 50 PKR. Why not try some traditional foods like beef or lamb stew ("Nihari"), or sweets ("Mithai").

Lahore local information

To travel from the airport to Lahore centre, a taxi costs about 600 PKR to Gulberg, and around 800-1,000 PKR to the Walled City. The journey takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes. The public bus is the cheapest transport option; catching the B-08 bus costs about 35 PKR to the bus station. Some hotels operate a shuttle service from the airport. Accommodation-wise, hostels cost around 500 PKR for one person, while a 3 star hotel is around 4,500 PKR.

For getting around in Lahore, bus fares start from around 18 PKR. The Lahore Metrobus is faster and has its own bus track and costs from around 20 PKR for a single fare. You can purchase a rechargeable ticket with a deposit of around 130 PKR. A metro is being built. You can walk or hire a rickshaw here. Be sure to negotiate the fare. Taxis are seldom used and should be pre-ordered. It's best to avoid minivans as they get very crowded.