Home Contact Us Search
Home
Visit Lahore
Travel Advice
Lahore City Info
Business
Education
Directories
Events
Jobs
Media
Pakistan
Islam
Weblinks
Search Portal

Visiting London?
Check London Guide

Visiting Riyadh?
Check Riyadh Guide

Pakistan Embassies

Australia  
Brunei  
Canada  
Greece  
Korea, South  
Norway  
Romania  
Sweden  
Switzerland  
UK  
UN Mission  
USA  
Uzbekistan  
visit, travel, fly, tour, expedition, lahore, pakistan, islamabad, karachi

Lahore Travel Guide PDF Print E-mail

By Air

Inside Lahore Airport
Inside Lahore Airport
Lahore Airport (LHE), now known as Allama Iqbal International Airport, is located 15km from the city centre. The airport has been upgraded to international standards, with the new terminal that opened on 14 August 2002.  The lounges are much better now and seating is pretty good throughout. The airport handles 2.5 million passengers a year.

Not all major airlines connect to Lahore,  but the biggest player, of course, is Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the national carrier, which has direct international flights to Lahore from the UK , USA and the Middle East.  Internally, PIA has daily flights connecting Karachi, Islamabad, Quetta and Peshawar.

Other airlines that fly to Lahore are Emirates, Saudi Airlines, Thai Airways and Indian Airlines.

Lahore Airport’s international and domestic arrivals are located at level-I, while the departures are located at level-II. There are numerous services and facilities at the terminal, including banks, ATMs, currency exchange booths, restaurants and cafes, and a shopping arcade with gift shops and baggage holding facilities. A 24-hour prayer room, and special care for the physically challenged and elderly travellers are also available.

The airport is about 20 minutes drive from the Lahore city centre.

Transportation to and from the Lahore Airport is available via rental cars and taxis. A 24-hour taxi stand is located nearby.

For those wishing to rent a car, Airport Tours AIIAP Lahore offers rental facilities on arrival in Lahore. Air-conditioned Radio Cab services are also available immediately outside the airport terminals.

There is also Walton Airport, situated 10km from city centre, but this is a much smaller airport and it does not serve international passengers. The airport is mainly used by  local flying clubs, including Lahore Flying Club, the Hydrant Aviation, the Wings Aviation, the JGP Aviation, and the Ultra-light Sports and Flying Club.

By Trains

Pakistani train
Pakistani train
Pakistan has all the major cities linked by train. The railway lines were mainly built during the British Rule, and they remain so today without any significant development. Lahore has a main station which links Rawalpindi to the north, and Karachi to the south. Train timetables are available from Pakistan Railway Website.

For foreigners, it is adviced not to travel by economy class for reasons of comfort and safety.

There is now a train service linking Lahore to India. It is the Samjotha Express Train.

By Buses

Bus network is quite extensive in Lahore. There are many private buses running from and to the city centre. As many people use this public service, the buses are often crowded, and people have to stand or cling on at peak hours.

Daewoo bus
Daewoo bus


Often there are separate sections for men and women on buses. The women sections are normally located at the front of the bus, and the men at the rear.

There is also the Daewoo City Bus service, which as the name suggests, has South Korean link. These buses are generally more comfortable, are less crowded and provide a better travelling experience. Daewoo buses cover all major areas of Lahore.

For foriegners, it is adviced to get a Daewoo City Bus or a taxi for more comfortable and safer ride. 

By Cars

Almost all parts of Lahore can be accessed by cars. The traffic is on the left-hand side of the road, following the British system. Apart from that, there is nothing in common with the British system, as the driving standards are pretty low in Lahore and Pakistan. The use of indicators is minimal, cars tend to cross lanes haphazardly and expect gentle knocks and bumps from time to time. Using the ‘flash’ or ‘beam’ lights indicates a warning to move out of the way, and not ‘I am giving you the way’ as in Britain.

Crowded Lahore road
Crowded Lahore road

Driving a car in Lahore, like rest of Pakistan, can be difficult, especially in the older areas. People tend to cross roads at different points, and in different ways. It is best to slow down in crowded areas and change lanes gradually to avoid hitting other traffic and people. You must use the horn often to make your presence known. The rule to follow is simple: Protect yourself and drive defensively.

The road conditions vary from area to area in Lahore. The more posh areas like Defense and Gulburg tend to have better roads. The older areas  will have many pot holes, and in some cases, large open holes leading to drainage system. The developing areas will have roads that are dug up, as every time a house is built, the road is stripped to make way for pipes and cables from the opposite side of the road. The roads are not repaired, but simply left with rubble thrown on top of dug areas.

Foreigners can easily rent cars from many locations in Lahore, including the airport. All the major global names are present in Lahore like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National, Sears, Thrifty, as well many local companies.

By Rickshaws

Typical rickshaw
Typical rickshaw
Auto-Rickshaws are basically three wheel vehicles, kind of big motorcycles, and they can carry 2,3 or more people! Rickshaws are cheap way to travel for short journeys, often suited in the crowded areas.

Traveling by rickshaw is must in Lahore. However, fix the price before getting a ride. It is not recommended to use a rickshaw during the heavy rains as it is can pretty wet.

By Motorcycle and Bicycle

Many people use the motorcycle and the bicycle as it is cheap means of travel and often convenient. However, travel at your own risk as it is not very safe means of transport.

By Foot

Yes, people do travel by foot in Lahore. People tend to walk when the weather allows it, but this is restricted to the immediate local areas. Be aware that the footpaths are not built properly, so often people tend to walk on the roads, thus very close to the flowing traffic. Also, in the poorer neighborhoods, there will be many open water channels between the shops and the roads (as proper drainage system is lacking), so avoid them if you can.

Traveling to Islamabad and other Cities

  • Lahore – Islamabad/Rawalpindi

    There are two major roads to Islamabad and Rawalpindi:

    1. Grand Trunk road (also known as the 'GT' road), which is 275 Km. It is recommended for those who wish to take an easy drive with sightseeing. There are many small and big towns on the way with a lot of cultural activity. You can also visit Rohtas Fort (in district Jhelum) on the way.
    Lahore motorway
    Lahore motorway


    2. Motorway, which is 330 Km. Pakistan's first proper 3 lane motorway, usually it takes 3 - 4 hrs. The motorway is fenced all the way, so there is little chance of people or animals crossing the road. There are also many good standard service stations on the way.

    For those not driving, there is Daewoo Bus Service that links Lahore with major cities in Punjab, including Islamabad/Rawalpindi. This is a very good service with air-conditioned coaches that run on time. The fare is rather high, about twice as much as the rivals, but well worth it.

  • Lahore – Karachi

    This is linked by the Grand Truck road, and it is the only major road that links Lahore and Karachi.  If you are adventurous, travel by this road, but with locals who know the route and are trusted. It takes many days to reach Karachi. It is adviced to use the plane!

 

 

Next >
Home Contact Us Search
© http://www.lahore.ecityportal.com | Terms of Use | Privacy Statement