What to pack for Pakistan
Pakistan has very hot summers on the plains, a monsoon season that brings rain to much of the country, and cool to cold winters, especially in the north. The northern mountain areas are cold for much of the year.
That is the long-term pattern, not a forecast. Weather in any given week can be warmer, colder or wetter than usual, so check the forecast a few days before you leave — Wayfold does this automatically and adjusts the packing list for your actual dates.
Pack with Pakistan in mind
- Loose, modest clothing — long sleeves and long trousers or a shalwar kameez
- A scarf or dupatta for women, useful at mosques and shrines
- Warm layers for northern areas and winter evenings
- Slip-on shoes for mosques and homes
Dress code: Modest dress is expected in public; mosques and shrines ask women to cover their hair.
Start from a full checklist
Combine the points above with a complete list for the kind of trip you are taking:
- Wedding guest packing list · 45 items
- Travelling with a baby: packing list · 52 items
- Carry-on only packing list · 45 items
What to eat in Pakistan
These are dishes most visitors to Pakistan will meet, with the usual recipe’s diet flags. Use them as a starting point for menus and for asking questions — not as a guarantee of what is in a particular plate.
Biryani
Spiced rice layered with meat, a Karachi favourite.
Dairy
Nihari
Slow-cooked beef or mutton stew, traditionally for breakfast.
Gluten
Haleem
Slow-cooked wheat, lentils and meat.
Gluten
Chapli kebab
Spiced minced-meat patty from Peshawar.
Egg
Karahi
Meat cooked in a wok with tomatoes, ginger and chiles.
Daal chawal
Lentils with rice.
Vegetarian-friendly
Lassi
Yogurt drink, sweet or salty.
Vegetarian-friendlyDairy
Meal times, tipping and water
| Breakfast | 08:00–10:00 |
|---|---|
| Lunch | 13:00–15:00 |
| Dinner | 20:00–22:30 |
| Tipping | Around 10% in sit-down restaurants is customary if no service charge is included. |
| Tap water | Drink bottled or filtered water |
| Halal food | Easy to find |
| Vegetarian food | Moderate |
During Ramadan many restaurants open only after sunset.
Local chains you will see
Well-known local names — handy for a quick, predictable meal or coffee:
- Student Biryani — Biryani restaurants.
- Savour Foods — Pulao kebab restaurants.
- Kababjees — Barbecue and kebab restaurants.
- Chaaye Khana — Tea cafés.
General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens. Checked 30 September 2026. In the app, the food guide marks which dishes fit each traveller’s diet and can show a diet and allergy card in the local language.
Entry rules for US and UK passport holders
A summary of the passport and travel-authorisation rules Wayfold reminds travellers about for Pakistan. Rules change, and your exact situation (other nationalities, long stays, work or study) may differ.
US passport holders
We don’t have curated rules for this trip yet. Check the official advice before you book: U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab).
UK passport holders
We don’t have curated rules for this trip yet. Check the official advice before you book: GOV.UK — Foreign travel advice (opens in a new tab).
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules change — always check the official source before you travel. Rules last reviewed 29 September 2026. For the bigger picture, read what ESTA, the UK ETA and ETIAS are.
Quick answers
Is tap water safe to drink in Pakistan?
Drink bottled or filtered water. Most visitors drink bottled or filtered water and avoid ice of unknown origin. General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens.
Do you tip in Pakistan?
Around 10% in sit-down restaurants is customary if no service charge is included.
Is it easy to eat halal or vegetarian in Pakistan?
Halal food: easy to find. Vegetarian food: moderate. Vegetarian-friendly classics include Daal chawal and Lassi. Recipes vary between kitchens, so always ask.