Air Service

Airport: The newly built airport at Karachi, a hub of both national and international flights, is known as Quaid-e-Azam International Airport.

The terminal building has two separate areas for domestic and international flights, connected as these two portions are with two separate satellites. The eastern portion (right wing as you face the building) of the terminal is dedicated to international travelers, while the western portion (left wing as you face the building) is exclusively for domestic traffic. The lower level of the terminal is for arriving passengers, where taxis are available in a dedicated lane. The upper level of the terminal is for departing passengers.

Both the national and international departing areas have snacks and shopping facilities. Where the domestic departure lounges have limited shopping, the international area has duty-free shops which offer carpets and rugs, leather goods, traveling bags, perfumes and other toiletries, kitchen and other gadgets, cameras etc. Escalators and lifts connect the different levels of the terminal while moving walkways connect the terminal building with the satellites.

As you arrive at the baggage carousel you will find free trolleys as well as a host of porters vying for your attention to carry your luggage. It is best to settle the tip before you engage one. Normally Rs. 100 will satisfy most of them.

For Arriving and Departing Flights Information call (tel. 114, 457-91-259 to 60); for Airport Exchange call (tel. 457-91-444). Departure tax on international flights is Rs. 400, on domestic flights Rs.100.

Getting to and from Airport

The airport is 10 kilometers (six miles) from the city centre. You can order a sedan from the car service counter located inside the terminal in the same hall as the baggage claim area. Most of the first class hotels provide a complimentary pick up for guests if requested in advance.

An airport service is provided by Gerry's International known as Fast lane Airport Service (tel. 454- 3428,111 -711 -111), who will arrange an airport pick and drop as well as "taking care of immigration to customs to baggage to boarding pass."

As you emerge from the concourse of the terminal building you will find a queue of taxis. However, before hiring one it is best to settle the fare. You should ask for Saddar if centre of town is your destination.

PIA Booking Offices. The main booking office of Pakistan International Airlines is in Sidco Centre, Strachan Road. Another office is at Pearl Continental Hotel, Club Road. You will find one in the departure area of Jinnah Air Terminal, Quaid-e-Azam International Airport. There are several other booking offices in various parts of the city.

Airport Restaurant. Sky View Restaurant is open 24 hours and is accessible from the Domestic Departure Area. An elevator takes you to the fourth floor on payment of Rs. 5, which allows you the view of the runways. Cameras and handbags are not allowed to be carried. From the fourth floor a staircase provides access to the restaurant.

Train Service

The trains, which connect other cities of Pakistan with Karachi, arrive at either City Station or Cantonment Station. As these stations are in the centre of the city, taxis and buses are easily available here which will take you to your destination.

Concessions: For Foreign Tourists a 25% concession is available in train fares except air-conditioned class. Members of Tourist Club of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) are also entitled to 25% concession in all classes except second class on production of authority letter issued by the competent authority of PTDC. Concession letters are available from PTDC offices for foreign students and general tourists. Foreign Students visiting Pakistan are entitled to 50% concession in fares in all classes whether traveling individually or in parties. This concession is also applicable to two teachers and one servant/attendant for party of 15 foreign students or a party of four girl students of any age as well as children of either sex under the age of 12 years. Concession fares are available to Group Travel of 15 or more on production of authority letter from the Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan.

To avail concession tickets, application should be made to the office of Divisional Superintendents, Karachi, Sukkur, Quetta, Multan, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar or the office of the Chief Marketing Manager, Pakistan Railways, Headquarters Office, Lahore, along with presentation of passport. Concession vouchers issued by the Railway authorities can be exchanged with tickets at the booking windows at railway stations or the reservation office located at Railway Headquarters, Lahore.

Excursion Special Trains are arranged on request by Pakistan Railways. For details contact Chief Marketing Manager, Pakistan Railways, Headquarters Office, Lahore.

Car Rental Service

Car rental services are provided by avis Rent-A-Car, 13, Services Mess, Merewether Road, (tel. 567-3269,566-1865), and also at Clifton (tel. 583-2213); Ashraf Rent-a-Car Service, Regent Plaza, Shara-e-Faisal, (tel. 521-1924,513-292), and Hotel Mehran branch (tel. 521-2957,521-5514); Pak Limousine Services, Hotel Sheraton, Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road, (tel. 568-3054, 568-1433).

Usually Corolla and Margalla cars are available for rent. Coasters of 15- and 25-seating capacity are also available for groups tours.

Avis Rent-a-Car Service. Services provided by Avis Rent-A-Car include comprehensive insurance, periodic/breakdown maintenance service and replacement in case of breakdown/accident. To hire a Self-drive Car the hirer must hold a valid driver's license or an international driving permit. The following conditions are applicable: acceptance of Avis and Avis-honored charged cards only (Avis, Amex, Visa, JCB and Master card); collision damage waiver (CDW) @ Rs. 200/day; collection and delivery of service