Karachi
Eco-friendly travel guide to Karachi advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Karachi, Pakistan.
- Air quality: 2.2 / 5
- Exploring by foot: 2.5 / 5
- Exploring by bicycle: 1.5 / 5
- Public transportation: 3.5 / 5
- Parks: 4.6 / 5
- Outdoor activities: 4.2 / 5
- Locals' English level: 3.1 / 5
- Safety: 3.3 / 5
- Accommodation: US$15 - $200
- Budget per day: US$30 - $350
Contents
Responsible Travel
Are you a tourist who wants to visit Karachi but as a responsible traveler? If yes, as a traveling enthusiast, there are certain responsibilities that you have in addition to other moral obligations. Karachi is the largest city, and unarguably the most important. Karachi was the original capital of the nation, Pakistan. Karachi offers a remarkable variety of attractions and activities – from sunny, sandy beaches and scurf-infested old colonial buildings, still preserved and in some cases inhabited, to traditional bazaars and modern shopping malls. Upscale luxury hotels overlook modern restaurants with flavors from all over the nation and much of the world. They make the city a hotspot for local and tourist activity. As a visitor to explore the city, one should strive to be as responsible as possible to give something back to the place. Some of the things that you can do are:
- Rickshaws (also called three-wheeled scooters, tuk-tuks, or simply autos) are good for shorter trips. You can find rickshaws everywhere across the city. Set prices beforehand. They don't usually follow traffic guidelines, so some might think it's dangerous, but they're perfectly safe and a cheap way to get around as well as eco-friendly.
- Karachi is dominated by minibusses that move around and are extremely cheap and less than Rs. 50 should be enough to travel from one part of the city to another. Buses will stop anywhere along the route for you.
- Karachi has a well-maintained network of roads that can be used for moving in the city. There are a plethora of black and white taxis here. They are convenient, comfortable, and safer than autos as well as cheap by Western standards. They provide comfortable space for the passengers as well as for their luggage.
- The metropolis city is home to countless Dhabas and food outlets, giving a wonderful experience to your taste buds. These local food places are crowded 24*7 and are famous for their cheap, lip-smacking food. It is recommended that tourists visit these Dhabas to gorge on traditional “desi” cuisines.
- Try to visit the local cottage industries in Karachi to purchase affordable yet great quality products. Whether it’s a simple bangle, a nice handicraft, or fashionable dresses that turn you on, Karachi is a shopper’s paradise, and anything can be found in Karachi. You can shop to your heart’s content in the enormous range of markets and bazaars found in the city, and no need to worry about the budget as Karachi is an expensive city for tourists. It would be amazing to buy stuff from local shops instead of buying overpriced things from international brands.
- After sustaining against the dusty dry weather in Karachi, try to visit parks and green spaces that act like an oasis buzzing with life and gleaming bright green and blue under the harsh sun. Some of the parks have a great view of the city as they build upon hills. Few are amusement parks with great restaurants. Work out, refresh yourself and visit the amusement park and grab some of the best views of the city.
- You can also buy eco-friendly bags manufactured in Karachi, known as the best eco-friendly bags. These bags are made from re-purposed fabric leftover from the factories. The bags are ideal for almost all occasions as well as fashionable and eco-friendly.
Air Quality and Pollution
One of the main factors that play a very crucial role in deciding whether you want to reside or visit it as a tourist is the air quality as well as the pollution of the city. Contributors to poor air quality in Karachi include vehicle emissions, solid waste burning, and industrial emissions. Seasonal variations in pollution exist, with the highest air pollution levels in the winter (December to March). Available data indicates that Karachi has a consistently high level of air pollution. So when planning a trip, consider health status, age, destination, length of trip, and season to mitigate the effects of air pollution.
Karachi is known as an all-year-round travel destination, but the best weather is definitely November, December, January, and February. The tourist count also increases during this time since the weather becomes great during the cold season. Karachi is considered to be one of the hottest places on earth. If you prefer hot and dry days, then Karachi is the perfect destination for you to explore. The hot and not too humid months are February, March, April, and May.
Respect the Culture
The most diverse and cosmopolitan city of Pakistan, Karachi lives and breathes with its own style. The most advanced city of the nation often blazes forward as an example of Pakistan to come, and because of its diverse makeup, it is sometimes described as a mini-Pakistan. Karachi is the third most populous city in the world and the largest in the Muslim world.
Karachi's culture is characterized by Middle Eastern, Central Asian, South Asian, and Western influences. As a whole, there is considerable diversity in culture, and this diversity has produced a unique culture of its own type. The major part of the city’s population speaks Urdu, while English is the official language. It is also home to other 30 languages, including Sindhi as the second most spoken language.
Karachi is the most diverse and cosmopolitan city in Pakistan. Large numbers of non-Muslim religious communities are settled in Karachi compared to other Pakistan cities. Karachi's inhabitants, locally known as Karachiites, are a cosmopolitan population composed of many different groups from all parts of the world. The religious festivals celebrated in Karachi are Eid-ul-Fitr, Shabe-e- Barat.
Karachi is home to some of Pakistan's important cultural institutions. . The All Pakistan Music Conference, linked to the 45-year old, similar institution in Lahore has been holding its Annual Music Festival since its inception in 2004. The Festival is now a well-established feature of the city life of Karachi that is awaited anxiously and attended by more than 3000 citizens of Karachi as well as people from other cities. The National Arts Council (Koocha-e-Saqafat) also has musical performances and Mushaira (poetry recitations).
Karachi is a multi-cultural city where you can find every class of food in other countries. Karachi also has several fantastic upscale restaurants, which serve a huge variety of cuisines. The beauty of the food in Karachi is that you will probably find cuisine for every taste.
Top 10 Places to Visit
Always up and running, the streets of Karachi are a cacophony of colorful buses, impatient people, and the infectious energy of its daily hustle. But are there many attractions to forget about the chaos? Yes, and we have the best top 10 locations for you.
- Churna Island - If you love all things sea, then Churna Island, which is only a two-hour drive away from central Karachi, is a must-visit. Here is where you can swim, snorkel, and scuba dive around the island’s reef and gaze at a multitude of sea creatures, from fish to snakes and turtles that inhabit its warm waters.
- Frere Hall - Dating back to 1865, Frere Hall recalls when Pakistan was a part of the Indian British Colony. Surrounded by lush green gardens, the ground floor of Frere Hall houses a fine public library named Liaquat National Library (after Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan, first Pakistani Prime Minister). It is one of the largest libraries of Karachi, contains over seventy thousand books, including rare and manuscripts, newspapers, dictionaries, atlases, and technical books.
- The Chaukandi Tombs - The Chaukandi Tombs near Karachi, Pakistan, are a unique example of burials. Buried south to north – unusual for the area and time period – these tombs are constructed out of huge sandstone slabs, delicately stacked into a finessed pyramid shape. The slabs were then clearly painstakingly carved with intricate patterns, drawings, and related scenes. Built between the 15th and 18th centuries, the Chaukandi Tombs now form a remarkably well-preserved necropolis that often attracts curious visitors and archaeologists alike. Still, the area is not without foreboding legends.
- PAF Museum - PAF Museum is in Shahrahe Faisal in Karachi. It is one of the best and popular museums in Pakistan. In this museum, you can see all kinds of air force items like airplanes, ships, uniforms of all posts, and some other different things which are used in wars. It is a good educational place to visit with your kids. Nearby, there are World War 1 and 2 scale models and some modern planes on display. There are also food options in the main park and many places to relax in the gardens.
- Tooba Masjid - Tooba Mosque, regionally known as the “Gol Masjid,” is a distinctively and beautifully architectural design mosque situated in Phase 02 of DHA (Defense Housing Authority), Karachi. This mosque is entirely developed with white marble. The diameter of the dome is almost 65m, and it's level on a low encircling wall with no middle pillars. The Tooba Mosque is composed of only one minaret standing 37m in altitude. The Masjid-e-Tooba primary prayer hall having the potential of covering 5000 people. There is a lush green lawn outside to make some space so that the visitors can walk around.
- Empress Market - Empress Market is a famous marketplace situated in the Saddar Town locality of Karachi. The market traces its origins to the British Raj era when it was first constructed. Today, it is amongst the most popular and busy places for shopping in Karachi and reflects as one of the few historical spots of the city. Commodities sold in the Empress Market range from condiments, fruit, vegetables, and meat to stationary material, textiles, and pet shops.
- Port Grand - Port Grand, Karachi, a wonderful place constructed along the ship harbor on the waterfront, is the latest addition to the list of the city’s best nightspots. The place comes to life after sunset and is loaded with food outlets, family attractions, and different types of entertainment features. Port Grand is really a great place to visit and dine. There is a food street where one can get delicious items from local food chains. Moreover, you can also enjoy yourself with your kids because there are many kid's attractions.
- THE Bagh Ibne Qasim Park - The Bagh Ibne Qasim was inaugurated by President Pervez Musharraf on February 27, 2007, and is Pakistan's biggest park constructed. It is also the largest family park in South Asia. The entire Clifton beach and the area now covered under the park. For the entertainment purposes of visitors, the park has a turtle pond, in addition to which it also has 24 state-of-the-art washrooms. To create an element of originality, the park also has 20 stone canopies. Moreover, hundreds of thousands of unique rose saplings have been planted throughout the park.
- Arabian Sea Country Club - At the Arabian Sea Country Club, you have an opportunity to play on one of Pakistan’s most unique golf courses. The 18-hole layout offers a challenging yet fun golf experience. The Northwest Course has unique greens, four large lakes coming into play on several holes, and generous fairways. The staff of golf professionals is on hand to assist you with all your golfing needs. A shooting range has recently been built to provide an opportunity to learn the sport from a certified instructor and to hold various competitions. The Gun Club is registered with Sindh Rifle Association.
- Turtle Beach - Not only are winters a great time to visit Karachi because of its mild cold weather but also because it’s the time when you can spot turtles at Turtle Beach. Turtle Beach, Karachi, is a very famous tourist spot and Picnic place in Karachi. It's Naturally Sandy beaches were no rocks and reefs. They are located between Hawksbay and Sandspit. In summers, rare species of Green and Olive Ridley Turtles come to lay eggs in the Southwest beaches of Karachi, especially to Sandspit Beach and Hawkesbury Beach.
Explore
Karachi is a tourist destination for domestic and international tourists. Although Karachi is the commercial center of Pakistan, it is also one of the most richly cultural regions of the world to visit its impressive history and local traditions, and breathtaking geography.
The extravagant nightlife, dining scene, shopping, and a handful of adventurous opportunities of the city are some of the many reasons why people plan a trip to Karachi. With an endless number of places to visit in Karachi, you can make your trip a memorable one. Here are a few famous places:
City Parks
- Hilal Park - Relax at the green sanctuary of Hilal Park, an attractively landscaped haven in the busy city that serves as the perfect spot for kids to play. The play area includes swings, slides, and a range of different rides, while a collection of shrubs trimmed into interesting shapes will delight the little ones. Sit on a bench and admire various flowers, which enchant with both their colors and their scent. Crafted landscape with beautiful contours will make your walk memorable. The feel of this place is soothing and relaxing.
- Bin Qasim Park Clifton - Largest Park of Karachi to visit. A great and beautiful Masjid inside Park you can visit. It’s a well-maintained park in the middle of a busy city, and it is good for tourists and citizens to unwind with the family. The park features a turtle pond, murals of dinosaurs, and a kids’ play area, making it a great spot for a quiet day with family and friends. Relax on the marble benches and look out over the large rose garden before grabbing a meal at one of the onsite restaurants. If you want to dine surrounded by nature, bring a picnic basket, and enjoy the views.
- Major Khalid Shaheed Park- The park is situated at the bank of Creek, adjacent to Savor Restaurant. Its greenery and the beautiful landscape become focal points for Karachiates, who look out for the Arabian Sea in the evening for cool breeze after mostly hot day times. Other than that, it’s also equipped with interesting climbing nets and wooden bars, bridges, and obstacles for kids and adults with ample benches and lush greenery. All in all, it’s perfect for fun and games.
National Parks
- Karachi Safari Park - Karachi Safari Park, opened in 1970, is a public-funded 'family-only' safari park covering an area of 148 acres, located in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Karachi Safari Park is home to around 470 animals. The park flaunts a Chair lift, Animal Enclosure, Swan Lake, and an Adventure Park for the visitors. The perfect spot for picnickers, Safari Park, offers a host of fun-filled recreational activities that can make your family trip a memorable one ranging from safari experience, amusement park to swan lake.
- Kirthar National Park- Kirthar National Park, a vast, rugged national park in the south-west of Sindh, is home to the historic Ranikot fort. This dry arid land of seemingly endless landscapes of the desert with rugged lines of hilly terrain, parallel rock hills, and twisted, stony valleys is ranked among the largest national parks of Pakistan and is home to a wide range of mammals, birds, and reptile species. The primary attraction of the Kirthar National Park is its beautiful landscape and famous Ranikot Fort.
Beaches
- Karachi Beach or Clifton Beach - Clifton Beach, on the Arabian Sea, is a beach in Clifton, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, one of Saddar Town neighborhoods, Karachi. The beach has attractions for families and tourists, including beach-side horse and camel rides, amusement parks, restaurants, and swimming in the Arabian Sea.
- Devil's Point - We still struggle in understanding a major mystery; why is this heavenly and soul-calming place called Devil’s Point? Though we might not know the secret, we do know that if a devil's point can be this beautiful, then you might not lure for paradise anymore. With various cuisines served here, ranging from Italian, Continental, BBQ, Chinese, Seafood, and desi Pakistani food, it leaves a special impression on you. This, without a doubt, is a perfect place to escape the hectic pace of Karachi.
- Sea View Beach - The Sea View is a popular spot in Karachi where citizens and tourists alike flock to beat the heat. The tourists and families still enjoy the camel and horse rides and well as the colorful beach buggies. Sea View Beach is purported to give the best value in leisure and recreational opportunities for fun seekers and beach lovers.
Landmarks
- Mazar-e-Quaid - Mazar-e-Quaid, also known as the Jinnah Mausoleum or the National Mausoleum, is the final resting place Quaid-e-Azam ("Great Leader") Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. The mausoleum is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Karachi. Great for late afternoon or early evening visits, Tombstone is kept well and has a small museum featuring the Qaid’s belongings. The mausoleum and museum are set on lovely grounds.
- St. Patrick's Cathedral - St. Patrick’s Cathedral is situated on Shahrah-e-Iraq near Empress Market, Saddar Karachi, Pakistan. It is the first church in Sindh province, Pakistan. It was initially built on this cathedral's grounds in 1845 and was called St. Patrick’s Church.
- Darya Lal Sankat Mochan Mandir - (also called Jhoolay Lal Mandir) is located on Eduljee Dinshaw Road. It was built using limestone and the Jung Shahi stone.[2] The temple has 40 feet wide, 40 feet long, and 40 feet high dimensions. They are 40 snakes at the top of the temple. The temple is dedicated to Darya Lal (Jhulelal), who is an incarnation of Varuna Deva. The temple also hosts Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganesh.
Museums
- The Mohatta Palace Museum - The Mohatta Palace was built as a palatial residence for the Hindu Marwari Shiv Rattan Mohatta in 1927. The museum today has 44 galleries displaying artifacts from different regions and eras of the country. For all visitors of Karachi, it is a worthwhile visit since it is quite well kept and surrounded by well-maintained gardens. The museum offers portraits of Karachi socialites from the higher echelons. Many stone statues also add glory to the magnificent building.
- State Bank Museum - Located in the Business district of Karachi, it is the only museum of its kind in Pakistan that offers an insight into the creation of money, its printing, circulation, regulation of Pakistani Currency - the Rupee. It has in its display all notes that are or were in circulation, including a vast collection of current and historic coins. .It is a grotesque structure made in pink Jaisalmer stone that was brought in from Rajasthan. It has a grand entrance and is open to all.
- Quaid-e-Azam Museum - A comfortable, small house by the standards of the day shows how the founder of the country lived his life. Tastefully decorated house with artistic furniture, beautiful lamps & elegant crockery endorsing the touch of the charismatic personality of one of the most respected leaders of the world. A must visit place in Karachi.
Eat
Karachi cuisine refers to the food found mainly in the city of Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. It is a multicultural cuisine due to the city consisting of various ethnic groups from different parts of Pakistan. Karachi is considered the melting pot of Pakistan.
Traditional Local Restaurants
- Lal Qila Restaurant - A combination of the cultural and the culinary, Lal Qila Restaurant Karachi specializes in resurrecting the cuisine of the Mughal Era, offering patrons a ‘mock Mughal’ dining experience which evokes the palatial luxury of a Mughal Emperor’s table. The themed restaurant experience provides outdoor dining in castle-like surroundings, which bring out ‘the legendary grandeur of a splendid and noble past.’ The cuisine, meanwhile, is a combination of Mughlai, Tandoori, Barbecue.
- Noorani Kabab House - This is one of the oldest establishments. It has been around at least since the early '70s. They serve the best "brain-masala" in town. They are also famous for their Kata-kat. Their BBQ items, such as seekh kababs, Bihari boti, tikka, etc., are also very good. The best thing about this place that offers mostly outdoor seating is that it is very inexpensive. You can go with a family of 4 and come back satisfied after spending less than $10.
- Delhi Rabbri House - Delhi Rabbri House was established on a tiny scale by Haji Muhammad Ismail Delhvi (Late) in 1964. The untiring efforts, desire for the highest quality, professional dedication, selection of finest ingredients, best-skilled labor, and innovations in the mode of packing resulted in the remarkable progress and present standing of Delhi Rabbri House.
Vegetarian and Vegan
- Rajdhani Delight - If you are looking for a change in cuisine or way of eating or are a vegetarian, then Rajdhani Delight is the place to go to. The experience is much colorful. First, the ambiance is of traditional Mughal cum Gujarati cum Rajasthani style, waiters with turbans and in traditional dresses, the music of the early era, and tv screens depicting the culture of Rajasthan / Gujrat.
- D Thali Land - It's a good place where there is a variety of food, especially Indian cuisine such as Dosa, Paw bhaji, Thali. Kauai is also good in taste. The seating is nice and clean, and the service is good. D Thali Land is a place for Indian Bombay type cuisine. Though the place is not so big, it's of good size. Too hungry? Grab a bbq Thali and Mix vegetable thali and loaded fries. The saltish, which is also great here.
Street Food
There is no better way to capture the flavor of a city than through its street food. If you have a stomach of steel and taste buds with a passion for adventure, Karachi has some of the best Pakistani street food to offer.
- Bohra Food Street - In Ramazan starts the food street, which was established 38 years ago, sets up to facilitate its visitors with amazing food being served till sehri. This food street is known as the Bohri food street located near the paper market at Pakistan Chowk. The food being sold here is finger-licking good, including the unique dishes of the Bohra community. Several items are being sold here but not too miss, some of the kinds of stuff are Masala Aloo, Malpua, Papri Bun, and Limca Soda.
- Boat Basin Food Street - Boat Basin has the most trendy restaurants and is considered one of the main food streets in Karachi. Today the street is thriving with dozens of restaurants, out of which some are open non-stop. It is the most frequent eat-out place in Karachi for the middle-class. For the visitors, it would be an iniquity not to have devoured the greasy, crispy puritan at Baithak, the tantalizing tikkas and Behari kebab, laden with a spicy and fiery tang at Tandoori Hut or Thali Inn, the traditional old is gold Hanifa-styled burgers, or the brain freezing marvelous ice creams of Baloch Ice Cream Parlor. It is no surprise that this factor is one of the many reasons why foodies yearn to eat here.
Drink
Karachi is significantly known for its dry weather has also found its new love - coffee. Finding a decent cup of coffee in Karachi used to be a constant struggle. However, with new cafés breaking ground in recent years, the perfect pick-me-up is now easy to come by. Karachi proves to be having a few of the best places to visit for goods and beverages.
Tap-water
Once upon a time, people would drink water directly from the taps in Karachi, recounted renowned journalist Wusatullah Khan. It is not possible to do so anymore," he rued, touching upon the grave issue of the water crisis that has been miring the metropolis down - the city faces a shortfall of 700 million gallons daily (MGD) of water against its need of 1.2 billion gallons. Mismanagement is one of the major issues at KWSB," he said, adding, "Performance in the public sector can be improved through good governance. Still, political compulsions, administrative issues, and corruption are a hindrance in the way."
Organic Cafés
- N'eco's Natural Store & Cafe - Serves meat, vegan options available. Organic cafe and a store. The cafe has many ovo-Lacto vegetarian choices and a few vegan, such as soups, quinoa, hummus, zucchini noodle pasta, halwa puri (traditional Pakistan dish), and veggie wok. The store sells organic cosmetics, essential oils, and healthy foods, like nuts, grains, granola, almond butter, gluten-free flours.
- Al-Khair - Al Khair premium natural products have grasped some of these gifts with the hand of gratitude and creativity to develop, refine, and present these gifts of humanity. With this objective in mind, sincere hard, focused work is put in to develop and present premium quality products of the highest international standards from raw material selection to production to the final polished presentation innovatively with the hallmark of Al Khair quality and economy.
Breweries
- The Murree Brewery - The Murree Brewery produces a wide variety of Beers, Liquors, and alcoholic products. Premium products include Murree Beer, Classic Beer, Millennium Beer, and many more.
- Mehran Distillery and Brewery - Mehran Distillery & Brewery is one of the only three licensed alcohol & beer manufacturers in Pakistan. It will be only the second brewery in Pakistan after Murree Brewery.
Activities
The best a person could do is go camping at Gorakh hill station, or go for picnics on the beaches, take one's family shopping at Dolmen Mall, take your kids to Laguna Water Park Or to Turtle Beach, visit the famous Teen Talwar Monument and do many more adventurous things like horse riding, shooting on things made of clay or play golf.
Yoga and Retreats
The art of practicing yoga helps in controlling an individual's mind, body. It also helps in increasing flexibility, muscle strength, and body tone. After a busy and hectic schedule, people should find a way to rejuvenate, and doing yoga is one of the best methods to cope with stress. Here are a few spiritual centric yoga retreats that one can go to and spend some quality time.
- The Yoga Well
- Studio X
- Sarah Q Yoga
- AQ Power Yoga
- Yoga Lift
Accommodation
There are lots of suitable places for residing in Karachi, even for the short term. It includes the best budget hotels, luxurious hotels, resorts, or small cottages. Places of stay are cheap, comfortable as well as safe.
Green Hotels
- Hotel Green City
- Quetta Green Hotel
Hostels and Guest Houses
Some people often think about what is the real difference between hotels and guest houses. To give a clear idea, a guesthouse is a small and private house given out for rent daily, and on the other hand, hotels in Bangalore consist of around 4-10 rooms. Hotels are considered larger as compared to guest houses. The famous ones with better convenience are mentioned below.
- Pearl Continental Karachi
- Sea View Guest House
- Hotel Excelsior
- Karachi Marriott Hotel
- Place Inn Guest House
Apartments
The average price of an apartment in Karachi for this evening is £33 (based on Booking.com prices). For the travelers who appreciate a space of their own at the end of the day, an apartment or flat is the perfect home away from home. Furnished rooms and kitchen facilities give groups and families the flexibility to enjoy downtime separately or plan the next day’s activities over a shared meal. Often available for short and long-term.
Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing is a travel community with millions of members worldwide and is the best way to experience Karachi like a local. Reach out to over hosts in Karachi to discover unique places to stay and locals to stay with. Use Couchsurfing to find accommodation in Karachi, meet up with locals and travelers, and more.
Camping
Camping in Karachi is one of the best and the most popular way to explore the adventurous side. Due to different camping sites tourists are attracted from all over the world. Gorakh Hill Station offers a chance to camp out with your loved ones under a starry sky where you can enjoy the night with a bonfire, BBQ, and storytelling. As you trek up from the campsite to the highest point of Gorakh, you can rest on one side of the mountain to watch the colors change in the sky as the sun goes down, and be mesmerized on the other side of the mountain as it comes up a few hours later.
How to Get There
Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the largest city in Pakistan and the seventh-largest city proper in the world. Karachi is a well-populated city, and there are various ways to reach there. Here are some common ways to get there:
Air
Jinnah International Airport is Karachi's largest international and domestic airport located on the main city's outskirts though in a huge populated area. The Airport has connections to many other hubs such as Toronto, London, New York, Tokyo, and Dubai. It is also the hub for Pakistan International Airlines, Pakistan's national carrier, which flies to numerous destinations, including all the major cities in Pakistan, and international cities.
Bus
Daewoo offers direct services to Karachi from over 40 major cities and 45 destinations nationwide, including Hyderabad, Multan, Faisalabad, Lahore, and Islamabad. They're considered punctual and safe. They also have ticketing and pick and drop points at convenient locations throughout the city where passengers are transported to the main terminal via shuttles.
Train
The Thar Express runs weekly between Bhagat Ki Kothi near Jodhpur in India and Karachi. Cargo trains also run between Turkey and Karachi via Iran. Passenger facilities are currently not available in Turkey to Karachi trains. The city is served by two major railway stations: The Karachi Cantonment Railway Station and Karachi City Station. The other two stations include Landhi Railway Station and Drigh Road Railway Station. The Drigh Road Railway Station is located close to the Jinnah International Airport, but not all the trains stop here.
Hitchhiking
Police have a terrible reputation in Karachi, Pakistan. In nicer states like Punjab, they try to force you onto a bus, but when you strongly say no, they stop a truck. If it seems that police in Balochistan is very much against hitchhiking and will force you onto busses, foreigners regularly get abducted there. Though the trucks are beautiful and drivers hospitable and it's a pleasure if you get one.
Others
Karachi can be reached by car from different cities of Pakistan and India, China, Afghanistan, and Iran. National Highway N5 connects the city from other cities of Pakistan. RCD Highway N25 connects the city with Southern Balochistan, including Gwadar via Makran Coastal Highway. M9 Motorway (also called Super Highway) connects the city with Jamshoro and Hyderabad.
Moving Around
The traffic in Karachi is well-being known among everyone. Being a metropolitan, it is always bustling with energy and chaos, resulting in traffic most of the time.
Walk
Sometimes, walking may actually be the fastest way to get from point A to point B, but much of Karachi is quite pedestrian-hostile. Distances are long, and road signage is poor. But if you really want to walk around, always ensure you walk on the footpath, or if one isn't available, as far to the side of the road as possible and on the right facing on-coming traffic.
Bicycle
People can use a bicycle to travel through the city as it helps move quickly and time-saving. Everyone cannot afford a motorbike or a car. Therefore people travel by bicycle. Traveling by bicycle is also a good physical exercise and also freshens the mind.
Electronic Vehicles
There are no electric vehicles that run in Karachi.
Public Bus
The most common method of traveling in Karachi is by bus and is used by most people. Regular bus services link the airport with the city, and the journey time is around 50 minutes. Outsiders might be put off by the cramped conditions in the buses and might prefer traveling in taxis. But for very tight budget travelers, the bus is the only option.
Tram, Train and Subway
Karachi Circular Railway used to run in the city but closed due to excessive losses. A project to transform the existing but non-operational Karachi Circular Railway into a modern mass transit system, also covering an underground and elevated Mereweather Tower to Sohrab Goth line, has been approved by the government work on it has yet to be commenced.
Sustainable Shopping
Karachi is the world's cheapest city and the shopping capital of the country. You can shop to your heart's content in the massive range of markets and bazaars that dot the city, or you can shop in one of the many modern shopping malls that are found across the city's more affluent sectors.
Food Markets
A food market t is a pedestrianized area that has been designated for restaurants and cafes. Such areas are found in Karachi. Some of the famous food market in Karachi are:
- Gawalmandi Food Street
- Melody Food Street
- Burns Road
Flea Markets
Karachi is full of flea markets. You can get every kind of items in these flea markets. Some of the famous flea markets in the city are:
- Zainab Market - This market never fails to impress! People always end up buying something. Over the years, the market has expanded with more shops, adjacent buildings turning to the ready-made export quality garments.
- The Raja Bazaar - It is right to say that this area is the center of Pindi city. The area is always crowded, full of people, and roads confused due to the huge number of visitors daily. Practically one can find almost anything used in daily life here and at low prices.
Second Hand Stores
Karachi is a metropolitan city, so there are many second-hand stores here which sell all kinds of second-hand items, including clothes, rags, books, electronic devices. Some of them are:
- Landa Bazaar
- The Second Hand Store
- Regal Chowk
Eco-Fashion
With Naya Pakistan in the making, conservation has become a popular bandwagon for many brands. Some of the famous eco- fashion places in Karachi are:
- N'eco's Natural Store & Cafe
- The Soul Food Company
- EcoBags Pakistan
Recycling
Abstract Solid waste recycling and its related activities are informally very much a part of the solid waste management process in Karachi.
Waste
There is a growing problem of waste management faced by developing countries. Karachi is the biggest city in Pakistan, having a population of approximately 24 million. Statistics indicate that daily, about 12,000 tons of solid waste is generated in Karachi alone, of which forty percent can be found on the city streets. Improper management of solid waste is causing the spread of infectious diseases and environmental pollution.
Work and Study Abroad
Given Pakistan’s political instability, a weak economy, and the shortcomings of its higher education system, Pakistan is not a significant destination country for international students.
Exchange Student
Karachi has a variety of famous and renowned Universities and Colleges where one can study anything they want. There are many medical, engineering, and art colleges in Bangalore. Here are some names of colleges one can get a degree from. Some of the famous universities and colleges are:
- Hamdard University
- NED University of Engineering and Technology
- Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology
- Quaid-e-Azam University
Au Pair
An au pair is a helper from a foreign country working for, and living as part of, a host family. Typically, au pairs take on a share of the family's responsibility for childcare and some housework and receive a monetary allowance for personal use. A large number of opportunities are available for Au pairs in Karachi.
Volunteering
Volunteering means a person who voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service. Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan is practically active in ensuring healthy food and clean drinking water in remote areas. AZAD Foundation Pakistan is another organization that promotes volunteering.