Renting a Car in Pakistan as a Tourist

Where most tourists go

The four most-rented routes for international visitors.

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  Hunza Valley

  Karakoram mountain village. Best visited April–October. 16-hour drive from Islamabad.

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  Skardu

  Gateway to K2 base camp. Requires 4x4 from Islamabad or short flight + local 4x4.

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  Naran & Kaghan

  Easier mountain getaway. 7-hour drive from Islamabad. May–September only.

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  Lahore Cultural

  Walled City, Badshahi Mosque, food street. Best with an English-speaking driver.

• 01Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Pakistan?

  Yes — Pakistan recognises IDPs issued in your home country under the 1949 Geneva Convention. You'll need to carry both the IDP and your home-country licence at all times. Without an IDP, you're limited to with-driver rentals (which is what we recommend anyway for most tourists).

• 02How much should I budget for a Pakistan rental as a tourist?

  Budget USD 80-200/day all-inclusive for a sedan + driver + fuel for typical city use. SUVs for Northern Areas trips run USD 200-400/day. Multi-day Hunza packages run USD 800-1,500 for 5 days with vehicle, driver, fuel, and tolls (food and hotels usually separate).

• 03Is it safe to drive in Pakistan?

  Cities are generally safe for with-driver travel. Mountain roads (especially north of Islamabad) are dangerous for unfamiliar drivers — narrow corners, sudden weather, no recovery infrastructure. Always travel north with an experienced driver, not self-drive. Inform your hotel of your daily plan.

• 04Do I need a permit to visit the Northern Areas as a foreigner?

  Yes — Gilgit-Baltistan requires a No-Objection Certificate for foreign nationals. Verified tour operators handle this for you (24-48 hours processing, usually free or a PKR 500 fee). Don't attempt the NOC yourself unless you're staying long-term and have local sponsorship.

• 05What currency should I bring for deposits?

  USD cash is the standard for tourist rentals — deposits run USD 200-1,000 depending on car class. Most vendors accept GBP and EUR but the rate is less favourable. Bring physical cash; card payments are uncommon at Pakistani rental SMBs.

• 06Which Pakistani cities are best for foreign visitors?

  Islamabad is the easiest gateway — modern infrastructure, English signage, launch point for Hunza/Skardu/Naran. Lahore for cultural tourism (Walled City, Mughal monuments, food). Karachi for coastal tourism and Hingol National Park. Avoid Peshawar and Quetta unless you have a specific reason and local contacts.

• 07How long does it take to drive from Islamabad to Hunza?

  16-18 hours one-way on the Karakoram Highway. Most tourist packages split this over two days with an overnight stop at Besham or Chilas. Driving the full length in one day is not recommended — the road has dangerous sections and weather changes are abrupt.

• 08What's the best time of year to visit Pakistan for a road trip?

  May to October for the Northern Areas — roads fully open, weather stable, Hunza accessible. Spring (March-April) is ideal for Lahore and Punjab. Avoid the Northern Areas in winter (December-February) and the southern lowlands in summer (June-August, temperatures exceed 45°C).