Lois Larson
Islamabad International Airport, currently known as Benazir Bhutto International Airport, is located 25km southwest of the city centre. The airport is around 30km away from Islamabad city and is the third-largest airport in Pakistan. It serves as a hub for Pakistan International Airlines, Shaheen Air International, and Airblue. The only way to get from the airport to the city is by taking a taxi, which costs around €7 (PKR 1,600) and takes about 30 minutes. The airport is directly connected to the Lahore and Peshawar motorways and is well-served by an extensive highway infrastructure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 25 km (16 mi) south-west of Islamabad; near Fateh Jang Tehsil of Attock District |
| Distance from Islamabad city centre | 30 km |
| Road connections | Directly connected to Lahore and Peshawar motorways and to Islamabad via Srinagar Highway |
| Public transport | None currently; Orange Line direct bus service planned |
| Taxi availability | Always available; journey time 30 minutes; journey cost €7 (PKR 1,600) |
| Construction began | April 2007 |
| Inaugurated | 20 April 2018 |
| Commercial operations began | 3 May 2018 |
| Terminal building area | 180,000 m2 (1,900,000 sq ft) |
| Annual passenger capacity | 9 million initially, expected to reach 25 million by 2024 |
| Cargo capacity | 80,000 tons per year |
| Runways | 2 (one operational, one emergency) |
| Taxiways | 4 |
| Parking bays | Dedicated bays for wide-body aircraft |
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What You'll Learn
Take a taxi from outside the terminal
Islamabad International Airport is located around 30 km from the city centre, so taking a taxi is a quick way to reach your destination. The airport is well-connected to the capital city of Pakistan and serves as a major hub for all aviation activities in the country.
Taxis are readily available outside the terminal and are the only way to get from the airport to the city centre, apart from the bus. The journey to the city in a taxi takes around 30 minutes in regular traffic conditions and costs approximately €7 (PKR 1,600). The final fare will depend on the time taken, the number of passengers, and your exact destination in the city. Some taxis may not have functioning meters, so you can negotiate a price with the driver before getting into the taxi.
If you prefer a set-rate fare, you can pre-book your transfer with companies like Welcome Pickups, which offers different vehicle options, including modern sedans and spacious minivans. They also provide a meet-and-greet service, and their drivers are local experts who can offer suggestions for your visit. Other companies, like MyTransfers, also offer private transfers with fixed prices and vehicles adapted to your needs.
When taking a taxi from the airport, be cautious of people who forcefully take your luggage and ask for international currency.
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Travel 25km southwest to reach the city
The Islamabad International Airport is located 25 km southwest of the city centre. The airport is directly connected to the Srinagar Highway, which leads directly into the heart of Islamabad. The drive from the airport to the city typically takes around 30 minutes in regular traffic conditions.
There are a few different transport options for travelling from the airport to the city. One option is to take a taxi, which can be found just outside the main terminal. The cost of a taxi is usually around €7 (PKR 1,600), although the final fare will depend on the time taken, the number of passengers, and your exact destination. Some taxis may not have functioning meters, in which case you can negotiate a price with the driver before getting in. It is not customary to tip taxi drivers, but you may add 20-30 Rupees to the final fare if you wish.
Another option is to pre-book a private transfer service, such as Welcome Pickups, which offers a set-rate fare for your journey. This can be a convenient option if you want to avoid negotiating prices or dealing with taxi meters.
It is important to note that as of 2022, there is no direct bus service from the airport to the city. Therefore, taking a taxi is currently the only way to get from the airport to the city.
Overall, travelling from the Islamabad International Airport to the city centre is a relatively quick and straightforward process, and you can expect to reach your destination in the city within 30 minutes by taxi.
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Use the Lahore and Peshawar motorways
The Islamabad International Airport is directly connected to the Lahore and Peshawar motorways. The M-2 motorway connects Lahore and Islamabad. The motorway starts to the west of Lahore, at the Thokar Niaz Baig junction of N-5 (National Highway No. 5). After crossing the Ravi River, it diverges from the N-5 and heads west towards Sheikhupura. Once at Pindi Bhattian, it crosses the M-4 junction and turns northwest. It continues to Kallar Kahar, where it enters the Salt Ranges. After passing through the Salt Range, the M-2 turns north and ends just west of Rawalpindi at the junction between the Islamabad Link Road and M-1.
The M-1 motorway, or the Islamabad–Peshawar Motorway, connects Peshawar to Islamabad–Rawalpindi. It spans 155 km (96 mi), with 88 km (55 mi) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 67 km (42 mi) in Punjab. The motorway was constructed during President Pervez Musharraf's rule and was opened in October 2007.
The M-2 motorway was conceived by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his first term (1990–1993). The contract was awarded to Daewoo Group of South Korea, and the motorway was inaugurated in November 1997 during Sharif's second term. In 2016, the entire motorway was resurfaced, and new toll plazas were installed on every interchange.
The Srinagar Highway also connects the airport to Islamabad and the motorway to Peshawar.
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Arrive at the Srinagar Highway to Islamabad
The Srinagar Highway, formerly known as the Kashmir Highway, is a major east-west highway in the Islamabad Capital Territory of Pakistan. It is the direct route connecting the Islamabad International Airport in the west to the E-75 Expressway in the east. The highway runs for 25 kilometres (16 miles) and varies in width from three to five lanes, with a total of five interchanges.
The highway is not connected to the city of Srinagar, which is administered by India but claimed by Pakistan. The highway was renamed in 2020 to commemorate the first official Youm-e-Istehsal, which has been observed annually in Pakistan as an expression of solidarity with the Kashmiri people.
The highway is one of the most significant intercity routes in Islamabad, used by thousands of residents daily for commuting. It is also directly linked to important landmarks and places to visit in Islamabad, including Shakar Parian and Lake View Park. Residents can easily access the Pakistan Secretariat, Serena Hotel, and other key areas of the city. The highway is also in close proximity to several renowned universities, including Allama Iqbal Open University and the National University of Science and Technology.
Navigational signboards, CCTV surveillance cameras, and police patrol points are present throughout the route to assist commuters and maximise security and safety. The Islamabad Traffic Police manage the traffic flow, while the Capital Territory Police maintain security. There are several metro bus stations along this route, providing affordable and convenient public transportation for residents.
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Pre-book your taxi for a set rate
Pre-booking your taxi to or from Islamabad International Airport is a great way to secure a set rate for your journey. While the local taxi drivers at the airport use a taximeter to calculate the cost of the journey, you can pre-book with a service like Welcome Pickups to get a fixed-rate fare. This means you won't have to worry about any unexpected costs, and you can pre-pay for your transfer, so you won't have to worry about any extra expenses when you arrive in Pakistan. They offer guaranteed on-time pickups, and you can rest assured that your driver will be there when you need them.
You can also be sure that your driver will be there when you land, thanks to their live alert system. Welcome Pickups will send you an email with your driver's photo, name, and phone number a day before your trip, so you know who to look for. You can also download their mobile application to track your driver's location in real-time.
Another benefit of pre-booking your taxi is that you can be sure your driver speaks English. This can be especially helpful if you're visiting Islamabad for the first time or don't speak the local language. Your driver can answer any questions you may have about the city and share some local gems you can visit during your stay.
Pre-booking your taxi is a convenient and stress-free option for getting to and from Islamabad International Airport. It offers peace of mind, a set rate, and a high-end service at an affordable price.
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Frequently asked questions
The new Islamabad Airport is located about 30 km from the city centre.
The cost of a taxi from the airport to the city centre is around €7 (PKR 1,600).
It takes about 30 minutes to get to the city centre from the airport by taxi in regular traffic conditions.
No, there is currently no bus service from the airport to the city centre. The only way to get to the city centre from the airport is by taxi.
All official taxis are located just outside the main terminal at the airport.
