Lying on the edge of the Arabian Sea, Karachi is the heart of Pakistan and the country’s original capital city.
These days, it’s still a booming metropolis and the centre of Pakistan’s political and business worlds, but with remnants of its days as a colonial fishing village still intact.
Popular with business travellers, culture vultures and sun seekers in equal measure Karachi is increasingly endearing itself to international travellers, and you can find cheap fares to Karachi from Australia with us here at Globehunters.
Beaches surround the city for those looking to relax or try their hand at watersports and further inland you’ll find plenty of green spaces such as Bagh Ibne Qasim park to chill out in.
There’s also plenty of shopping centres and restaurants serving both local and international cuisine to keep you occupied.
While it is a very modern city, Karachi has much history to offer too, with some beautiful architecture which reflects the city’s colonial heritage, with examples such as the Empress Market, Mohatta Palace Museum and Frere Hall.
The National Museum of Pakistan is also worth a visit, and you should check out a traditional shopping bazaar if you get chance too!
5 Things You Need to Know About Karachi
If you’re planning a trip to Karachi, here are five important things that you should know before you leave:
Time Difference: UTC +5 hours
Currency: Pakistani Rupee (?)
Native Language: Urdu
Weather: Very dry, with only 250mm average rainfall annually, which mostly occurs during July-August monsoon season. Summers are hot and humid with cool sea breezes, with winters being more pleasant.
Sales Tax: 0% (17% on basic food items)
Fly to Karachi from Australia
If you’re preparing to fly from Australia to Karachi, here’s everything you’ll need to know, including flight times and entry requirements.
Flight Times
Unfortunately, there are currently no direct flights from Australia to Karachi, so you’ll have to catch a connecting flight in either the Middle or Far East, at airports such as Doha, Abu Dhabi or Bangkok, with the flight taking 15 to 18 hours depending on where you’re travelling from and how long the stopover is.
Entry Requirements
To enter Pakistan as an Australian citizen, you must hold a valid visa, which you can find out more about at this site.
Be sure not to overstay your visa as there can be harsh penalties, and ensure that you have at least six month’s validity on your passport too.
Airlines That Fly to Karachi
While there are no airlines offering direct flights to Karachi from Australia, here are some of the airlines offering indirect services:
- Qatar Airways
- Etihad
- Emirates
- Pakistan Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
The Airport
Jinnah International (KHI)
Jinnah International is Pakistan’s largest and busiest airport and is located in the Gulistan-e-Jauhar district, about 12 miles east of the city centre.
Your best bet will be to catch either a taxi or bus to the city centre, but be sure to find a metered taxi before you set off.
10 Karachi Must-Dos
Here are our top ten things to try and see and do during a visit to Karachi:
- Mohatta Palace
- Mazar-e-Quaid
- Clifton Beach
- Frere Hall
- Karachi Safari Park
- National Museum of Pakistan
- PAF Museum
- Empress Market
- Masjid e Tooba
- Karachi Zoo
Book Cheap Flights to Karachi with Globehunters
If you’re looking for cheap flights to Karachi, look no further than Globehunters, where you can compare a range of fares to find the cheapest one for your journey, including business class and first class flights too.
We can also help you with finding a great deal on your car hire and hotel too, and all of our bookings are 100% ATOL and IATA protected to give you extra peace of mind.