Flights from Islamabad to Karachi, Pakistan

The capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh, Karachi is the most populated city in Pakistan and the fourth-most populated in the world. A premier industrial and financial center, it also has a rich history for visitors to explore. Take a short ferry ride to Manora Island from Keamari Harbour, which is the entrance to the city’s busy port. This island was the site of the fort where Karachi’s Talpur rulers surrendered to the British, who erected the still-standing lighthouse in its place. Karachi also has a small beach overlooked by the remains of a 19th-century Hindu temple.

Flying to Karachi

1. Which airports serve Islamabad to Karachi?

Islamabad International Airport is the main airport serving the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area. Pakistan’s first greenfield airport, it is 20km outside the twin cities near the Kashmire Highway and Motorway Interchange. Visitors flying from Islamabad to Karachi will land at Jinnah International Airport, which is Pakistan’s busiest international and domestic airport. Passengers can get onward transport via buses and minibusses, the railway station at Karachi Cantonment, taxis and rickshaws.

2. Which airlines operate flights from Islamabad to Karachi?

Astar Air Cargo, Shaheen, Airblue and Pakistan International Airlines all operate regular non-stop flights from Islamabad to Karachi, with Pakistan International providing 37% of them. Other airlines offering non-direct flights include Emirates, Gulf Air, and Qatar.

3. How long is the flight?

The average duration of a flight from Islamabad to Karachi is two hours.

4. Climate changes between Islamabad and Karachi

Islamabad has a humid subtropical climate with monsoons between July and August and September and October. The hottest month is June when average highs regularly exceed 100°F, and the coolest month is January when the temperatures can fall as low as 25°F with sparse snowfall on nearby hills. Karachi, on the other hand, has an arid and relatively mild coastal climate, with monsoon rains from July to September. The humidity levels are high between March and November, and summer temperatures can reach up to 97°F.

5. Culture differences and need-to-know

Visitors to Pakistan usually need to obtain a visa from a Pakistani diplomatic mission. A few visitors are eligible for visas on arrival, but this is not usually the case for individual tourists. Nationals of some countries do not need a visa to travel to Pakistan, so it is important to check your status before you book flights. Applicants must typically apply for visas in their country of origin but may apply from a third country if they are legal permanent residents of that nation.

Karachi Information

The capital city of Pakistan, Islamabad has a population of over 2 million and is the ninth-largest city in the country. Visitors can enjoy cultural exhibits such as the Lok Virsa Museum in Shakarparian Park, which has more than 25 galleries with halls dedicated to musical heritage, architecture, Sufi shrines and other cultural themes. For a view of the city, Daman-e-Koh is a lookout point in the hills with high-quality restaurants, hiking trails, live music and lush green hills. It is a popular place for locals and tourists alike.
On arrival in Karachi, enjoy its rich history with a visit to Mohatta Palace, a magnificent building constructed to save a loving wife from dying before her time. You can also visit Saddar, the oldest part of the city that features churches, houses, and bazaars that date back to the 18th century.