Newcomer Guide

First time in Pakistan?

Fourteen topics, in the order a new arrival meets them. Read the first five before your first morning out.

  1. 1Before you landVisa, cash, downloads — the pre-flight checklist
  2. 2Arrival & the airportImmigration, first cash, first SIM, first ride
  3. 3SIM & connectivityJazz vs Zong, biometrics, and staying online up north
  4. 4MoneyRupees, ATMs, exchanges, and the counterfeit problem
  5. 5Getting around the cityRide apps, the Metro, rickshaws, and the sector grid
  6. 6Intercity travelLahore, Peshawar, the north — bus, train or fly
  7. 7Culture & etiquetteGreetings, hospitality, photos, and easy wins
  8. 8Dress by contextMosque, market, café — matching the setting
  9. 9Ramadan & the religious calendarWhat changes, what's illegal, and the Iftar magic
  10. 10Food & water safetyEat gloriously without regretting it
  11. 11HealthHospitals, pharmacies, and what to pack
  12. 12Scams & staying sharpThe classics, the counter-moves, and how to report
  13. 13Laws & permitsNOCs, drones, alcohol, and photography rules
  14. 14Women travelersPractical, honest notes — many written from experience