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Getting to Islamabad

Islamabad International Airport sits about 28 km south-west of central Islamabad in a straight line. Arrivals usually continue by road, and the motorway network is the main link from the south, with Rawalpindi directly adjoining the capital. Traffic is lighter than in Lahore or Karachi, so the run into the city is generally straightforward, though it is worth allowing extra time at busy periods.

Around Islamabad

In Islamabad, the city was built from the 1960s to replace Karachi as Pakistan's capital, laid out in a grid of sectors each marked by a letter and number, with markets, schools and houses inside. Streets are wide and tree-lined, many sectors have their own small bazaar, and the city feels open and green. Central Islamabad sits at roughly 540 metres. The two cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi run together but feel quite different, and the Margalla Hills rise within a short drive of the centre.

Around Islamabad, Saidpur is an old village in a ravine north-east of the centre, with stone houses, a small bazaar and walking paths, and it sits at the foot of the Margalla Hills as a quiet stop for gardens, old lanes and short walks. The Margalla Hills themselves form a wooded ridge of trails, viewpoints and wildlife on the city's edge, directly north of the capital. Rawalpindi, a dense and historic city in northern Punjab beside the capital, serves as a gateway to the hill country.

Islamabad through the year

In Islamabad, the most comfortable months are March, April, October and November, when days suit walking and views of the hills. January, February, September and December are good, with winter days cool and clear and cold nights. May and August are possible, while June and July fall in the off season when the climate is hot. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons overall.

Places to stay in Islamabad: what to expect

Guest houses in Islamabad are a large group, mostly simple to mid-range with a few upscale options. Almost all list car parking and most list a 24-hour front desk, which helps guests arriving by road. Many list free Wi-Fi, breakfast, family rooms, a shuttle service and air conditioning, so families and those wanting a quieter base are well served. Some list a kitchen, room service or a garden, and a few list a restaurant, heating or a swimming pool.

Hotels in Islamabad form a large group with a mix of simple, mid-range and unrated stays. Almost all list car parking and most list free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and a 24-hour front desk, which suits drivers and late arrivals. Many list breakfast, family rooms and a kitchen, while some list a restaurant, room service, a shuttle service or a garden. A few list heating, a swimming pool or a fitness room. The breadth of the group means families and business travellers can usually find a fit.

Serviced apartments in Islamabad are a large group with a mix of simple, mid-range and unrated stays. Almost all list free Wi-Fi, car parking, a kitchen and air conditioning, which suits longer stays and families who prefer to cook. Most list family rooms, while some list breakfast, a 24-hour front desk, room service, a shuttle service or a garden. A few list a restaurant, heating, a swimming pool or a fitness room.

Resorts and lodges in Islamabad are a fair number, mostly simple to mid-range with a few upscale options. Almost all list car parking and a 24-hour front desk, and many list free Wi-Fi, breakfast, family rooms, room service, a garden and air conditioning, which suits families and groups wanting space. Some list a restaurant, a kitchen or a shuttle service, and a few list heating, a swimming pool or a fitness room.

Staying in Islamabad: questions