About Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan. It is the country's tenth-most populous city with a population of over 1.1 million and is federally administered by the Pakistani government as part of the Islamabad Capital Territory — with a metropolitan population of over 2.3 million. Built as a planned city along the Margalla Hills in the 1960s and established in 1967, Islamabad replaced Karachi as Pakistan's national capital. It is located in the northern Punjab region, north of the city of Rawalpindi — with which it forms a metropolitan area of over 5.7 million inhabitants. As of 2025, it has a HDI of 0.924. This is the highest HDI of any districts of Pakistan and is comparable to Malta or Japan.
Cheap flights to Islamabad
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $1,149 from Dallas, travelling 28 Feb – 30 Mar. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
Airlines travellers compared most often: Turkish Airlines.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 12 Oct and 11 Nov 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to IslamabadTop experiences in Islamabad
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays.
Murree and Patriata Heights: Alpine Peaks and Colonial Charm - Full-Day Private Tour
From $90 per adult
Peshawar The Living Legend: A Deep Dive into the City of Storytellers - Full-Day Private Tour
From $98 per adult
Private Islamabad City Tour: From Ancient Caves to Modern Marvels - Full-Day Tour
From $77 per adult
Taxila and Khanpur Lake: A Journey Through Time and Tranquility - Full-Day Private Tour
From $83 per adult
The Rohtas Fort Expedition: A Journey Into the Lion’s Den - Full-Day Private Tour
From $84 per adult
Where to stay in Islamabad
Popular hotels in Islamabad, out of 123 properties you can book.
Movenpick Centaurus Islamabad
From $207 per night
Best Western Islamabad Hotel
From $117 per night
Islamabad Marriott Hotel
From $158 per night
Islamabad Serena Hotel
From $233 per night
Chalet Islamabad
From $81 per night
Garden Hotel
From $9,746,286 per night
Doubletree By Hilton Nathiagali
From $217 per night
Pearl Continental Lahore
From $118 per night
La Maison Hotel Islamabad
From $30 per night
The Nishat
From $188 per night
Royal Swiss Lahore
From $180 per night
De Papae
From $59 per night
Best time to visit Islamabad
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Islamabad is October to November, when average daytime highs are around 73–83°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Islamabad weather forecast
- Wed 11 Nov 75° 59° 98%
- Thu 12 Nov 70° 59° 99%
- Fri 13 Nov 69° 57° 99%
- Sat 14 Nov 73° 55° 14%
- Sun 15 Nov 72° 55° 4%
- Mon 16 Nov 71° 54° 0%
- Tue 17 Nov 72° 52° 0%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Pakistani rupee (PKR)1 US dollar ≈ ₨277
- Languages
- Urdu, English
- Calling code
- +92
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Asia/KarachiUTC+5
Getting to Islamabad
These are the airports closest to central Islamabad. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- ISB Islamabad International Airport15 mi (25 km) from the city centre
Getting around Islamabad
If you want a paper city map (you'll love to have one, just to see the difference in map making), you can buy one in the bookstore in Centaurus Mall.
By taxi
Taxis in Islamabad are abundant and popular. They are generally safe, but you may be initially shocked by the lack of safety belts, or lack of habit of using them. Most characteristic taxi car is a small Suzuki Mehran (people say these don't break), without taxi signs.
By car
Car hire is also a good way of getting around. Although road signs and directions are only available on main roads, the city's grid and numbering system make it relatively easy to find your way around. There are various car hire companies in Blue Area F-6 and also in G-8 Markaz where cars can be hired with drivers. Most major hotels have their own car hire services and are relatively cheap. A tip to the driver at the end of the booking period is always appreciated but not mandatory.
By bus
The city has implemented two bus rapid transit (BRT) lines, known locally as Metro Bus. The red line travels from the northeast corner of Islamabad to Rawalpindi Saddar. The orange line connects (at Peshawar Morr Interchange also known as G-9 interchange; Faiz Ahmad Faiz stop) this to the airport via shuttle. There are also blue and green lines heading south and east, but these use a different ticketing system and run on the highway with regular traffic.
Islamabad travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Islamabad?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Islamabad is October to November, when average daytime highs are around 73–83°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
What is the weather like in Islamabad?
June is usually the warmest month in Islamabad, with average highs of 100°F (38°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 44°F (7°C). The wettest month is typically July, with about 304 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Islamabad?
Islamabad International Airport (ISB) is the closest airport, about 15 miles (25 km) from the centre of Islamabad.
How much are flights to Islamabad?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Islamabad in the last 30 days was $1,149 from Dallas, travelling 28 Feb – 30 Mar.
What currency is used in Islamabad?
Islamabad uses the Pakistani rupee (PKR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ₨277.
What time zone is Islamabad in?
Islamabad uses the Asia/Karachi time zone (currently UTC+5). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Islamabad?
If you want a paper city map (you'll love to have one, just to see the difference in map making), you can buy one in the bookstore in Centaurus Mall.
What are the top things to do in Islamabad?
Popular experiences you can book in Islamabad include Murree and Patriata Heights: Alpine Peaks and Colonial Charm - Full-Day Private Tour, Peshawar The Living Legend: A Deep Dive into the City of Storytellers - Full-Day Private Tour and Private Islamabad City Tour: From Ancient Caves to Modern Marvels - Full-Day Tour. Destina Holidays offers 5 tours and activities here.
Where should I stay in Islamabad?
Popular areas for hotels in Islamabad include Islamabad and Lahore. Well-reviewed options include Movenpick Centaurus Islamabad and Best Western Islamabad Hotel.
How many hotels can I book in Islamabad?
Destina Holidays currently lists 123 properties in and around Islamabad, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
