Pakistan Travel Notes
My Peshawar, Lahore, Skardu stops, real opinions and places to explore.
- Languages
- Urdu · English · Local Languages
- Currency
- Pakistani Rupee · PKR
- Cash
- Essential For Everyday Spending.
- Cards
- Usually Yes At Larger Venues.
- Tap To Pay
- Available At Some Venues.
- WiFi
- Available. Quality Varies.
- Mobile Data
- SIM Or eSIM · Check Coverage
- Small Shops
- Varies. Keep Cash Handy.
- Tipping
- Small Cash Tips Appreciated
What To Wear
What To Pack
Loose, modest clothing suits city travel; a scarf is useful for religious visits. Skardu needs warmer layers than Lahore in the same season. Bring shoes for uneven ground and a real outer layer for mountain outings.
Money And Payments
Cash And Cards
Cards are useful at larger hotels, supermarkets, and established restaurants, especially in major cities. Cash remains important for small businesses, local transport, and trips outside the cities. Keep rupees available rather than relying on a phone wallet.
Travel Cards
Check ATM access and the card’s network before a mountain leg. Keep usable rupees rather than depending on card payments throughout Skardu travel.
Tipping Culture
Hotel staff and drivers appreciate small cash tips. Restaurant tips are discretionary. For a porter or driver, consider the effort, duration, and what the rupee amount buys locally. A heavy mountain load is a different service from carrying one bag to a hotel room; agree the fee first.
Getting Around
Getting Around Locally
Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar need separate city transport plans. Agree the ride and payment method before leaving. Check current local access before following an older sightseeing itinerary.
Traveling Between Stops
Skardu travel is weather dependent. Mountain flights and roads can be disrupted, so leave a buffer before your international flight. Do not treat the mountain leg as a guaranteed same day connection.
Staying Connected
Using T Mobile In Pakistan
Pakistan is listed for international roaming on eligible T Mobile plans. Data allowances, speeds, and call charges depend on your plan. Check before you travel.
Mobile Data For This Trip
Download maps and hotel contacts before northern travel. Ask about coverage on the exact route rather than buying a plan on a nationwide marketing claim. Keep cash available if connectivity affects payment.
Where To Stay
Choosing Your Area
Use Islamabad or Lahore for their own city days and Skardu for a northern trip. Compare heating, hot water, power backup, and road access in mountain accommodation. My reviews identify the actual places I visited.
Before You Arrive
Before You Fly
Use the official Pakistan Online Visa System for your passport and trip purpose. A visa does not automatically authorize restricted areas; confirm any permits separately before a mountain route.
Sources And My Visit
Practical information was researched and checked on 22 October 2026. My reviews describe my own visits. Area comparisons are planning advice, not hotels I claim to have inspected. Entry advice must match your passport, residency, route, and travel date.
Peshawar
Sethi House Museum
Sethi House is one of the most beautiful places I saw in Peshawar. Tucked inside the old city it feels like stepping back in time. The woodwork is on another level with carved balconies, doors and decorative panels that show off incredible
Peshawar Museum
The outside of Peshawar Museum is honestly stunning. The red brick, the arches and the little details on the corners make the whole place stand out. It has that mix of old colonial and local style that just hits different and it’s one of
Jalil Kabab House جلیل کباب ہاؤس (Main Branch)
Walked in here at around 9:30pm on a Friday as a solo female traveller with zero issues. Everyone was friendly just a bit curious as anyone would be. There’s a guy making tea out front.
Gor Khatri Museum
Hidden in the back corner, you might have to walk around and find the hidden entry points because not all of them are open.
Hotel Tourmaline
I don’t even know where to start with Tourmaline because I genuinely love this hotel and I don’t wanna leave. From the moment I checked in I felt at home and so well taken care of 🥺 The location is unbeatable right across from Bala Hisar
Islamabad
Renaissance Hotels Islamabad
Look, the guy at reception really ruined it for me. He’s very awkward and comes off as kinda sad or something.
Atlas Grand Hotel
I booked a room with a balcony... wasn't given that. Was sent to go see another room. Once again, there was no balcony. For the 3rd time, I went up to see another room that had a balcony.... AND THERE WAS NO
Lahore
Maria Beauty Salon
The reviews are top tier because they are just that! I went in for a full body wax, face wax and hair cut and blow dry. I paid 13k
Tim Hortons
I’ve had ice Capps in America, Canada, UAE and Saudi, here they were the least sweet. But still good!
Skardu
Amari Hotel Skardu
I stayed at Amari Hotel in Skardu and it turned out to be a great choice. The location is right in the center so you can easily walk to restaurants, shops and anything else you might need. It is also central for sightseeing since every
The Grind Cafe And Eatery, Skardu
So this place looks more modern than most places but the service is extremely disappointing.
Khanpur
View Point Khanpur Dam
Must go! Very beautiful spot
