Quiet, peaceful Islamabad

Islamabad is quiet and greem, quite unlike its immediate neighbour Rawalpindi, which is lively and noisy.

When best plan a trip?

Of all seasons in Islamabad, the mild weather during November until April is probably the most pleasant. Summers can be very hot, the monsoon season is, of course, wet and humid. It could be interesting to time a visit in order to witness one of the many festivals. Eid el-Fitr and Aid el-Adha are both celebrated in the capital. As for all Muslim festivals and celebrations, dates are not fixed.  

Entry requirements, health and other practicalities

Passport will need to be valid for half a year at least and a visa must be applied for prior to leaving. Check with a doctor about necessary jabs well before leaving - preferably at least two months in advance.

Visitors to Islamabad will be pleasantly suprised at the low prices of food and meals out, even though these are comparatively high for Pakistan as a whole.

Accommodation comes at all prices: the cheaper variety costing about 1000 rupees. More expensive and luxurious accommodation will be approximately PKR 2200.

Airport transport options

It is important to note that there are no public transport options running between the airport and city. Travellers are therefore advised to hail a taxi or use a shared suzuki car on arrival. Also note that it is important to arrive very early for returning flights due to queues at check in and security.

Local traffic in Islamabad is relaxed. Minibuses are a good choice for getting around.  A travelcard valid for a month is available for only 2200 rupees.