Which place is cheaper, Islamabad or Karachi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Karachi or Islamabad?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Karachi or Islamabad? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Karachi or Islamabad?
Karachi
Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Pakistan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKarachi $26Islamabad $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, while the average daily cost in Islamabad is $42. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Karachi and Islamabad in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKarachi $11Islamabad $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKarachi $22Islamabad $40
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Islamabad
Looking for a hotel in Karachi or Islamabad? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Karachi Hotel Prices and Islamabad Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Karachi $4.58Islamabad $7.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or Islamabad?
Prices for flights to both Islamabad and Karachi change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayKarachi $11Islamabad $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.
- Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $93
- Half-Day Karachi Burns Road Private Victoria Ride with Dinner: $100
- Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Karachi $5.07Islamabad $9.48
Tours and Activities in Karachi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:
- Experience local village life in Sindh: $200
- Full Day Private Tour in Karachi City: $161
- Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $194
- Karachi City Tour : $129
- Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
- UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Private Tour: Half Day Islamabad Saidpur Village Exploration Tour: $80
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $85
- Private Tour: Islamabad Full Day Customized Exploration Tour: $90
- Shopping Tour: Full Day Islamabad Markets Exploration Tour: $90
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
- Best of Islamabad City Landmarks Exploration Tour (Private & Guided).: $95
- Guided Top 5 Wonders Exploration Tour: $95
- Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $98
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- Islamabad City Tour With Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Lunch : $110
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKarachi $3.35Islamabad $2.88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karachi and Islamabad, we can see that Islamabad is more expensive. And not only is Karachi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karachi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karachi and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Islamabad would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Islamabad than you might in Karachi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Karachi Expensive? and Is Islamabad Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Karachi or Islamabad?
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Karachi and Islamabad, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Karachi or Islamabad?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Karachi or Islamabad in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Islamabad.
The heat can be very extreme in Islamabad. Karachi is around the same temperature as Islamabad in the summer. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Islamabad fluctuates around 32°C (90°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. In the summer, Karachi often gets less sunshine than Islamabad. Karachi gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Islamabad receives 247 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Islamabad. Karachi usually gets less rain in July than Islamabad. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKarachi 30°C (86°F)Islamabad 32°C (90°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Islamabad in the Autumn?
Both Islamabad and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Karachi is around the same temperature as Islamabad. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Karachi in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Islamabad averages at about 26°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Islamabad. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karachi. Karachi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Islamabad during autumn. Karachi gets 284 hours of sunny skies, while Islamabad receives 287 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Karachi usually receives less rain than Islamabad. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKarachi 29°C (84°F)Islamabad 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Islamabad in the Winter?
Both Islamabad and Karachi during the winter are popular places to visit.
In January, Karachi is generally a little warmer than Islamabad. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 19°C (66°F), and Islamabad fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
In Islamabad, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Karachi. In the winter, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Islamabad. Karachi gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Islamabad receives 213 hours of full sun.
Karachi usually gets less rain in January than Islamabad. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKarachi 19°C (66°F)Islamabad 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Islamabad in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Islamabad.
Karachi is around the same temperature as Islamabad in the spring. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Islamabad fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamabad this time of the year. In Karachi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Karachi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Islamabad during spring. Karachi gets 277 hours of sunny skies, while Islamabad receives 258 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Karachi usually receives less rain than Islamabad. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKarachi 29°C (84°F)Islamabad 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Islamabad and Karachi
| Karachi | Islamabad | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.