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Travel Insurance for Pakistan

Travel Insurance for Pakistan

Travelling to Pakistan offers a unique blend of cultural richness, stunning landscapes and historical sites. From the majestic peaks of the Himalayas and Karakoram to the vibrant cities like Lahore and Karachi, Pakistan has a wealth of destinations to explore.

Experience ancient ruins, bustling bazaars and sample diverse cuisine reflecting the country’s deep heritage. Whether you're an adventure seeker, history enthusiast or cultural explorer, Pakistan promises an unforgettable journey with its warm hospitality and diverse attractions.

Alvaro Iturmendi - Confused.com travel insurance expert

Reviewed by Alvaro Iturmendi Travel insurance expert 8 min read | Published 17/10/2024

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Important information

Travel insurance doesn't cover known events - in other words, global events that can be dangerous and/or disrupt travel arrangements. An example of this is the Covid-19 pandemic. This exclusion is valid if the event was declared a ‘known event’ when you bought your travel insurance.

Plus if you travel against Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice, you won’t be covered by any travel insurance you buy. The same applies if you fail to meet your destination’s entry requirements.

At the time of writing, the FCDO advises against all travel to certain parts of Pakistan*. This means it's unlikely that your travel insurance policy will cover you if you visit these areas.

*Correct as of October 2024

Do I need travel insurance to travel to Pakistan?

You don't have to have travel insurance to go to pakistan, it's not a legal requirement. But the FCDO advises that you should always buy appropriate travel insurance before going abroad.

Having a travel insurance policy in place means you're protected financially for a range of events. For example, it can cover you if you need medical treatment abroad, if you lose your luggage, or if you trip is cancelled or cut short.

In particular, medical expenses in Pakistan can be costly. Pakistan does have a public healthcare system in theory. But the low investment in this area combined with a growing population means most people have to pay for treatment themselves.

This means that if you need treatment in Pakistan, you're likely to have to go private, which can be very expensive. Travel insurance will cover your medical expenses to a certain limit set out in your policy. Plus it'll cover repatriation if you need to come home for medical treatment.

Choosing the right policy for your holiday to Pakistan

You need a worldwide travel insurance policy for Pakistan. This tends to cover higher medical and repatriation costs. And depending on the nature of your trip, here are some policy options to consider:

Single-trip travel insurance

If you're just going on one trip to Pakistan, single-trip travel insurance might be sufficient. This covers you from when you leave home until you return.

Annual travel insurance

If you're going abroad more than once in a year, annual travel insurance might be better value. This type of insurance covers you for multiple trips within a 12-month period.

Backpackers travel insurance

If you're travelling around Pakistan - or if it's one stop in a wider journey - backpackers insurance can cover extended trips, usually up to 18 months.

What our travel insurance expert says

"If you're travelling to Pakistan, having travel insurance in place could prove to be very useful. Travel insurance will cover you for medical emergencies, including evacuation. And since healthcare costs vary outside of the major cities, this could be useful.

"If you're planning on trekking or hiking, you may want cover for activities and sports as well. You'll also be covered against trip cancellations or delays, which is important due to the potential political disruptions you could face. With all this in place, you can fully enjoy Pakistan’s stunning landscapes and culture."

Alvaro Iturmendi Travel insurance expert

What does travel insurance for Pakistan cover?

What's covered:

Cancellation and curtailment cover

Travel insurance can help cover some of the cost if you need to return home early. For example, if you need to travel home due to unforeseen reasons, or if you need to cancel your trip altogether.

Baggage cover

Travel insurance protects you financially if your personal belongings are lost, damaged or stolen during your trip.

Medical expenses and repatriation

As mentioned, medical treatment in Pakistan can be expensive. And repatriation is pricey too. Having a travel insurance policy in place can help to cover these costs.

Travel disruption

If your flight to Pakistan is delayed or cancelled, you should be able to claim from your travel company. But this can be limited, and may not cover you for missed connections, events or accommodation you've paid for at your destination. Travel insurance offers much wider protection for any travel disruption.

What's not covered:

Natural disasters

Many standard travel insurance policies exclude natural disasters and extreme weather conditions. Always check the T&Cs of your policy so you know exactly what you're covered for.

High-risk activities

Extreme sports and risky activities such as paragliding, skiing and scuba diving are normally excluded by standard travel insurance. It might be an idea to look into an adventure travel policy.

Any pre-existing conditions you haven't declared

You can normally still get travel insurance with medical conditions, but you need to declare them. You may have fewer options for cover, and the policy may be more expensive. But it's vital to have the right level of cover in case you need medical assistance.

Travelling against FCDO advice

Most travel insurance policies will exclude cover when you travel against government advice. So your cover is likely to be invalid if you travel to any of the areas of Pakistan the FCDO advises against.

Incidents involving alcohol and drugs

Pakistan is a dry country. Muslims aren't allowed to drink, but non-Muslim tourists may be able to have drinks in premises owned by hotels. But it's worth noting that incidents which occur while under the influence of drugs or alcohol are excluded by travel insurance policies.

How much is Pakistan travel insurance?

How much you're likely to pay for travel insurance to Pakistan is influenced by your personal circumstances, such as whether you have any pre-existing conditions. But generally speaking, this is what you can expect to pay for certain types of policy:

Type of policy	Price
Single-trip travel insurance	£4.77¹
Annual travel insurance	£23.58²
Backpacker travel insurance	£96.27³

¹Cheapest single-trip policy for 3 days in Pakistan, 30 year old with no medical conditions - Confused.com data - October 2024
²Cheapest annual policy (worldwide excluding US, Canada, Caribbean and Mexico), 30 year old with no medical conditions - Confused.com data - October 2024
³Cheapest backpacker policy for 3 months travelling worldwide (excluding US, Canada, Caribbean and Mexico), 30 year old with no medical conditions - Confused.com data - October 2024

Medical care in Pakistan

Public healthcare in Pakistan has been historically underfunded, so you may find that you cannot rely on it. Most people get treatment privately, which can be expensive.

If you have a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), this won't be accepted in Pakistan.

For these reasons, it's a good idea to have adequate travel insurance in place, which can help cover the cost of any emergency treatment you need. Without one, you're likely to have to pay out of pocket for any treatment you receive.

The FCDO advises that it's particularly important to have cover if you have a pre-existing medical condition, or if you're pregnant.

Experts recommend that you get certain vaccinations before travelling, these are detailed on TravelHealthPro's Pakistan guide. In particular, you may need to provide proof of having been vaccinated for Polio, in line with the country's widespread Polio vaccination programme.

If you need emergency medical attention in Pakistan, call 1122 and ask for an ambulance. It's also important to contact your insurance provider as soon as possible if you're referred for treatment at a medical facility.

Travel insurance for activities in Pakistan

The rich culture and history are a major draw to Pakistan. But you might want to strap in, because it's also a popular destination for adventure tourism.

Bear in mind that not all activities and sports are covered by standard travel insurance, especially if an insurance company is likely to view them as higher risk. For example, trekking and hiking aren't always covered. Check your policy carefully to see if your planned activities are covered.

It's no biggie if they're not, as you'll usually be able to get cover added for an additional fee. Here are some of the extras you might consider adding to your policy:

Activity travel insurance. From zip-wiring in Gilgit-Baltistan to experiencing one of Pakistan's many paragliding hotspots, adrenaline junkies should get this add-on for extra protection.

Water sports travel insurance. This covers you for popular water-based activities in Pakistan, such as scuba diving and canoeing. Before having a splashing time, check that your exact activity is covered.

Winter sports travel insurance. Pakistan even has ski resorts, such as Naltar in Gilgit, Malam Jabba, and Nathiagali in the fabled Himalayas. To make sure you're covered on the slopes, add winter sports cover to your policy.

Do I need a visa to travel to Pakistan?

Yes, British people travelling to or through Pakistan will need a visa. You can apply for these via the Government of Pakistan's Ministry for the Interior.

For your first trip to Pakistan, you can usually get a 90-day visa which allows you multiple entries into the country. For periods of up to 6 months, you'll need to apply for an extension.

Please note that you'll also need a valid visa to leave. If your visa expires while you're still in the country, you should apply for a new one or an extension before attempting to leave.

Tips for travelling to Pakistan

Driving in Pakistan

To make life a little easier, you may be pleased to hear that in Pakistan they drive on the left. Road signs are in km, and speed limits are as follows:

Rural areas: 50km/h
Urban areas: 80 - 100km/h
Motorways: 120km/h

Currency

The currency is the Pakistani rupee (RBI), and it's available in 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 and 5,000 rupee notes.

Languages

Pakistan is a multilingual country, where over 70 languages are spoken as first languages. Urdu and English are the national languages. While you'll get by in English, Urdu is the preferred language between different ethnic groups. While it's only spoken by 8% as a first language, it's many people's second language.

Other commonly spoken languages include Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi and Balochi.

Time difference

There's one time zone in Pakistan - Pakistan Standard Time (PKT), which is UTC+05:00. This is five hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. What this means in terms of the UK is that it's four hours ahead when the clocks go forward, and five hours ahead when the clocks go back.

Weather and climate

Pakistan's summer runs from April to July, when temperatures range from 30°C to a scorching 38°C. This is followed by monsoon season in July to September (pack a brolly). The winter is from about November to March. It's still warm during this time, although you may get a refreshing breeze if you're somewhere coastal.

Drinking water

Pakistan is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world. It's estimated that only 36% of the country's population has access to safely managed water. For this reason, it's a good idea to search for whether the water's safe to drink in the region you're travelling to. Or you might just play it safe and stick to bottled water.