Karachi

Jinnah International Airport (IATA: KHI ICAO: OPKC), [10], is Karachi's largest international and domestic airport. It has connections to many other hubs such as Toronto, London,Dubai, Delhi Singapore and basically any major international city. It is also the hub for Pakistan International Airlines[11], Pakistan's national carrier, which flies to numerous destinations, including all the major cities in Pakistan, and international cities such as Beijing, Barcelona, London, New York, Toronto, Istanbul, Kabul, Copenhagen, Paris, Frankfurt,Amsterdam, Milan, Kuala Lumpur, Oslo, Abu Dhabi, Chicago,Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow], Hong Kong, Dhaka,Sharjah, Al Ain, Kathmandu, Kuwait, Mumbai,Muscat, Riyadh, Jeddah, Amman, Bangkok, Tokyoand a couple of others. Facilities in the airport include a McDonald's, ATMs (in Arrivals), free internet (in departure), WiFi, hotels and a duty free shop that doesn't sell alcohol. Immigration used to be a lengthy process, but after a rearrangement of counters and the introduction of a green channel in 2006 this is no longer the case.

[edit]By bus

Daewoo Sammi [12] offers some direct services to/from Karachi, Hyderabad, Multan, Faisalabad,Lahore and Islamabad, UAN ☎ +92 21 111 007-008.

[edit]By train

First Class travel with Pakistan Railways [13] is good, and Karachi has railway connections with various major cities in Pakistan including Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Hyderabad, Rawalpindi, &Peshawar. A metro train is currently under construction (only a rumour)

[edit]By boat

Karachi is a major trading hub for dhows from around the Indian Ocean. Travelers wanting to arrive in the city this way will probably need to make their own arrangements with the captain of the vessel.

[edit]Get around

Once you get the hang of traveling in Karachi, it becomes a very entertaining experience. You meet new people and get to see unexpected things. It's not very hard to find a mode of transportation and if you know what you are doing, it is very easy to get around.

[edit]By bus

The most common method of traveling in Karachi is by bus, private and Government-run, and is used by most people. For lack of space, people often sit on roof, or hang from bars, and are jam-packed inside the bus. Outsiders might be put off by the cramped conditions in the buses, and might prefer traveling in taxis.

[edit]By taxi

There are three kinds of taxis in Karachi: Metro, Yellow and Black. The yellow ones are generally thought to be better than the black ones, although they charge a greater mark up.

The Metros are chains of taxis operated by different private sector companies (i.e. private version of NY's TLC). As in any nation, some of the taxi drivers overcharge "foreigners". Most of the Black and Yellow taxis don't have any meter, so you should first fix the charge and the location with the driver before getting in. The official rate per kilometer is around Rs 7 but expect to pay around double.

There is also the so called Radio/White Cab service, which is air conditioned and can be called in at the airport or anywhere in the city. Typical cost for a full day (8 hr, 150 km) is US$25. White Cab ☎ +92 21 111 789-786 or within Karachi ☎ +92 21 111 789-786. Per kilometer rate is Rs 15 plus Rs 50 calling charges.

A new company, Metro Cabs, ☎ +92 21 111 222-787,+92 21 111 222-787 (Karachi)) is considered highly efficient. Their taxis are usually easily available from the airport, and their rates are very reasonable, they have white corolla fleet - Per Km charges: Pak Rs. 20/= Min charges: Pak Rs. 300/= within 12 km. Others companies include Sky Cab [14] ☎ +92 21 5677721-23 with Limousine fleets, Pak Radio Cabs UAN: ☎ +92 21 111 732-732, Pearl Cabs UAN: ☎ +92 21 111 725-786, Redtop Cabs UAN: ☎ +92 21 111 733-867 - they have liana fleets, Citi Cab ☎ +92 21 5650581, FVG Cab (UAN: ☎ +92 21 111 126-111, Karachi Cab UAN: ☎ +92 21 111 527-222, Sana Cabs UAN: ☎ +92 21 111 222-787, Star Cabs UAN: ☎ +92 21 111 567-827) - they have Lancer fleets, CallCar UAN: ☎ +92 21 111 -092-021-Corolla Fleets and Smart Cabs UAN: ☎ +92 21 111 000-747.

===By car hire===] It’s easier to hire a car with driver. Pearl Radio Cab ☎ +92 21 4604465) charges Rs 1500 per day including fuel, if you’re staying in the city limits and travel less than 100 km. Walji’s ☎ +92 21 5660248; 13 Services Mess, Mereweather Rd) is recommended for self-drive cars. Prices are around Rs 2400 per day (without fuel; unlimited mileage).