Travel advisory · PakistanSome governments advise against all but essential travel to Pakistan.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Azad Jammu and Kashmir · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, New Zealand, UK
- Bajaur · avoid all travel · Spain, UK
- Balochistan province · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, New Zealand, UK, US
- Border with India (whole frontier) · avoid all travel · France, New Zealand
- Former FATA tribal areas · avoid all travel · France, Italy, US
- Karakoram Highway, Mansehra to Chilas · avoid all travel · Canada, New Zealand, UK
- Khyber · avoid all travel · Spain, UK
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province · avoid all travel · Canada, Spain, France, New Zealand, US
- Kurram · avoid all travel · Spain, UK
- Line of Control · avoid all travel · Canada, New Zealand, UK, US
- Lower South Waziristan · avoid all travel · Spain, UK
- Mohmand · avoid all travel · Spain, UK
- North Waziristan · avoid all travel · Spain, UK
- Orakzai · avoid all travel · Spain, UK
- Upper South Waziristan · avoid all travel · Spain, UK
- Border region with Afghanistan · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, New Zealand
Also named by one government: 10 km strip along the Chinese border (Canada), 10 km strip along the Indian border (Canada), 10 km strip along the Iranian border (Canada), 10 miles of the Afghan border (UK), 50 km strip along the Afghan border (Canada), 50 km strip along the Afghan border in Gilgit-Baltistan (New Zealand), Bannu (UK), Buner (UK), Charsadda (UK), Dera Ismail Khan (UK), Hangu (UK), Karak (UK), Kohat (UK), Lakki Marwat (UK), Lower Dir (UK), N45 highway, Mardan to Chitral (UK), Peshawar (UK), Punjab, excluding Faisalabad-Lahore-Islamabad zone (France), Swat (UK), Tank (UK), Upper Dir (UK), 20 km strip along the Indian border including the LoC (Germany), 5-mile strip along the Indian border (UK), Chitral district (Canada), Dera Ghazi Khan (UK), Faisalabad-Lahore-Islamabad zone (France), Karachi (Canada), Land route to and from Afghanistan (Germany), Land route to and from Iran (Germany), Malakand (UK), Mardan (UK), Nowshera (UK), Shangla (UK), Sindh north of and including Nawabshah (UK), Swabi (UK), Tribal areas of Balochistan (Italy)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Reconsider Travel | Jun 16, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No advice against the whole country; partial warnings for named regions (regional advisories) | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Avoid non-essential travel | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Le reste du territoire est déconseillé sauf raison impérative | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Karachi
Karachi is Pakistan's largest city, a port on the Arabian Sea known for its beaches, old bazaars and street food.
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Karachi is Pakistan's largest city and the capital of Sindh province, on the Arabian Sea coast in the south of the country. It is the main seaport and commercial center, so daily life runs on work and trade more than on tourism. The city grew from a fishing village into a British-era port, and colonial buildings such as Frere Hall and Empress Market still stand near the center.
Visitors come for the sea breeze at Clifton Beach, the white mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the museums in Mohatta Palace, and food such as biryani, nihari and kebabs from the old bazaars and along Burns Road. The city suits travelers who like big cities with strong street life and want a base for day trips to the coast or Manora Island. The best time is winter, roughly November to February, when temperatures are milder. Summer is hot and humid. Plan two to three days.
Karachi in five
- Get a SIM or eSIM before you leave the airportPakistani mobile numbers need biometric registration, so buy from an official operator outlet with your passport. Save offline maps in case the data signal drops.Phones and eSIM
- Carry rupees for rickshaws and tea stallsMany rickshaws, small shops and street stalls take cash only. Keep small notes, since vendors often cannot change large ones.Money and costs
- Book Careem or Uber instead of hailing a taxiRide-hailing apps show the fare and the route before you travel. For a rickshaw, agree the fare before you get in.Getting around
- Show your passport at each hotel check-inHotels register foreign guests with the police, so expect to hand over your passport at check-in. Keep a photocopy for day trips, since road checkpoints can ask for ID.Where to stay
- Get insurance that covers private hospital carePrivate hospitals in Karachi may ask for payment or a deposit before treatment. Check that your policy covers that and any transfer to another city.Travel insurance
Things to do in Karachi
See all attractions in Karachi
Need to know
- Currency
- Pakistani rupee (PKR)
- Entry
- Visa needed by most passports; apply online before you fly
- Emergency
- 15 police, 115 Edhi ambulance, 16 fire
- Tipping
- Not required; small tips for porters and drivers are common
- Time
- UTC+5, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, mild
- FebruaryMild, dry
- MarchWarming up
- AprilHot, humid
- MayVery hot
- JuneHot, humid
- JulyMonsoon, humid
- AugustMonsoon rain
- SeptemberHumid, rains
- OctoberHumid, easing
- NovemberMild, pleasant
- DecemberCool, sunny
Right now in Karachi
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 87%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Karachi
01:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today35°22°0%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 35°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed35°21°0%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 35°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu35°21°0%Thursday: Clear. High 35°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri36°20°0%Friday: Clear. High 36°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat36°21°0%Saturday: Clear. High 36°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun35°22°0%Sunday: Clear. High 35°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 11:22 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 276.7 PKR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Hyderabadabout 2 to 3 hours by carSindh's second city, with the Pakka Qila fort and old bazaars.
- Thattaabout 2 hours by carThe Makli necropolis, a large UNESCO-listed field of tombs and carved stone.
- Sehwan Sharifabout 5 to 6 hours by roadThe Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine, best reached on an overnight stay.
Before you go to Karachi
Rules for Karachi, checked
- Check the UK government's Pakistan travel advice for current security and entry notes before you book.Source
- Alcohol is banned for most people in Pakistan. Do not carry or drink it in public, and check the rules with your embassy.
- Dress modestly in public, with shoulders and knees covered, and avoid public displays of affection.
- Do not photograph military sites, airports, bridges or government buildings, and ask before photographing people.
Plan around Karachi
Regions, entry, transport and money for a Pakistan trip
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa and how to apply
Read the guideGetting aroundRide-hailing, rickshaws and getting between districts
Read the guideMoney and cashRupees, cash needs and what to carry
Read the guideWhere to stayClifton, Defence and Saddar compared for a first visit
Read the guideKarachi FAQ
Is Karachi safe for tourists?
Many visitors stay in Clifton, Defence and Saddar and move by ride-hailing apps without trouble, but security advice changes. Check the UK travel advice and your own government's page before you book.
How many days do you need in Karachi?
Three days cover the seafront in Clifton, Mazar-e-Quaid and the old bazaars in Saddar. Add a day for Hyderabad or Thatta if you want history outside the city.
When is the best time to visit Karachi?
November to February, when days are mild. From April to October it is hot and humid, with monsoon rain in July and August.
Do you need a car in Karachi?
Not usually. Ride-hailing apps cover most trips within the city, and a car with a driver is useful for day trips to Thatta or Hyderabad.
How do you get from Karachi airport to the city?
Use a ride-hailing app, a licensed taxi or a pre-booked car from Jinnah International Airport. Agree any rickshaw fare before you get in.
Can you drink alcohol in Karachi?
Alcohol is banned for most people in Pakistan and is not sold in ordinary shops. Do not plan a trip around drinking, and check the rules with your embassy.