Cheap Flights to Islamabad
Mar 13, 2012
Standing proud as the capital of Pakistan since 1963, Islamabad is clean, pleasant and well planned without the usual chaos one would expect in a capital city.
Serene, yet majestic, the capital of Pakistan has a charismatic presence. With stately Government buildings, tree lined streets and parks form the city, the hills of the Himalayas offer a lovely backdrop making Islamabad a wonderful place to visit.
Since this is a capital city, there are flights to Islamabad from many major cities around the world. Getting cheap flights to Islamabad is quite easy because it’s a major business hub and an important transit point for tourists who wish to see the Himalayas.
How to reach
Since cheap flights are now available, the best way to reach Islamabad is by flying in. If you are already in Pakistan, you can take a train or bus from Lahore, Karachi or other cities. Your flights will land at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport, located in central Rawalpindi. Since this airport can get very crowded, it’s a good idea to book your transfers to Islamabad from the airport when you book your airline tickets.
Where to stay
Rooms are available for every class of traveler starting from clean and decent dormitories and inexpensive guesthouses to prestigious chain hotels.
What to see
Important monuments here include the Pakistan Monument, Shah Faisal Mosque, Lok Virsa Museum, Pakistan Army Museum and Nurpur Shahan village. For families, the Japanese Park, Rawal Lake, Fatima Jinnah Park, Daman E koh and Shakarparian.
The Imam Bari Shrine, Golra Sharif and Saidpur Village are good sites for people who want to understand Pakistan through its culture. The Margalla Hills that surround Islamabad are also a favored tourist destination. These hills offer a variety of activities for tourists like trekking, paragliding, rock climbing and bird watching.
Shoppers can get good handicrafts and textiles at the handicraft villages here; Pashmina shawls are a must-buy. Though Islamabad seems quiet for a capital city, the city’s restaurants scene is quite chic with a lot of international chain restaurants offering cuisines of different countries.
Excursions from Islamabad
There’s more to see around Islamabad than in the city. Islamabad’s sister city, Rawalpindi is one of the first places you should visit to get a real idea of what Pakistan’s about. With the large Raja Bazaar, plenty of parks and the Bahria Town, this city can be very interesting to visit as a day trip or for 2-3 days. When you have your base in Islamabad, you can plan excursions to Abbottabad, a lovely place at the foothills of the Himalayas and Taxila, a place of cultural importance to Hindus and Buddhists. Peshawar and Khan Pur Lake are also worth a visit.
When to visit
The best time to book your flights to Islamabad would be between the months of October and December because this is when the city gets minimum rainfall. But since December can get quite crowded with tourists, you could book your airline tickets for February or March. Avoid summers here because the temperature can get quite high.