Is Pakistan expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Pakistan is one of the cheapest countries in Asia to travel in: food, local transport and guesthouses cost very little. A budget day is about Rs 9,000 per person and a mid-range day about Rs 21,000. The biggest costs are transport in the north, usually domestic flights or a shared car and driver, and higher entry fees for foreigners at historic sites.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | Rs3,000 | Rs8,000 | Rs20,000 |
| Food & drink | Rs2,000 | Rs4,000 | Rs8,000 |
| Sights & tickets | Rs1,000 | Rs2,000 | Rs4,000 |
| Local transport | Rs3,000 | Rs7,000 | Rs14,000 |
| Per person, per day | Rs9,000 | Rs21,000 | Rs46,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Pakistan day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Cup of chai at a roadside stall | about Rs 50–150 |
| Plate of biryani or daal with roti | about Rs 300–700 |
| Careem or inDrive ride in Islamabad | Rs 400–1,000 |
| Lahore Fort foreigner ticket | about Rs 1,000–1,500 |
| Shalimar Gardens foreigner ticket | about Rs 500–1,000 |
| Baltit Fort with guide | about Rs 1,000–1,500 |
| Boat ride on Attabad Lake | about Rs 1,500–3,000 |
| Mid-range hotel double in Islamabad or Lahore | roughly Rs 10,000–20,000 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Transport is the largest cost for most visitors: flights to Gilgit or Skardu are short but can be cancelled for weather, and the alternative is a long road journey, often with a hired car and driver shared between travellers. Mid-range hotels in Islamabad and Lahore are moderately priced, while guesthouses in Hunza are cheap. Food is very inexpensive, and foreigners pay higher fees than locals at sites such as Lahore Fort, the Shalimar Gardens and Khunjerab National Park.
When it is cheaper
Northern guesthouses are cheapest in shoulder months (April–May and October), and the plains are cheapest in the summer heat. Eid holidays and peak summer in the north bring domestic crowds and higher prices.
How to spend less
- Share a car and driver for the Karakoram Highway with other travellers.
- Use Careem and inDrive in cities instead of negotiating taxi fares.
- Eat at dhabas and local restaurants; meals cost a fraction of hotel dining.
- Use long-distance coach companies such as Daewoo Express between major cities.
- Stay in family-run guesthouses in Hunza, which often include meals.
- Carry cash in rupees; cards are not widely accepted outside big cities.
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Common questions
Is Pakistan cheap to travel?
Yes, very. Allow about Rs 9,000 a day on a budget and about Rs 21,000 mid-range.
What is the biggest cost?
Transport in the north, usually domestic flights or a hired car and driver.
Do foreigners pay more at sites?
Yes, foreigners often pay higher entry fees than locals, for example at Lahore Fort and the Shalimar Gardens.