🧳Pack My Apps
← All destinations
🇵🇰
Essential apps for

Pakistan

پاکستان

UrduPKR5 apps

Careem is the dominant rideshare. inDrive is also widely used. Foodpanda for food.

🔌

Power & Plug

TypeC / D / M
Voltage230V
Freq50Hz

Mix of South Asian plug types.

💬

Basic phrases

Urdu

  • Hello
    السلام علیکم
    as-salam alaikum
  • Thank you
    شکریہ
    shukriya
  • Excuse me / Sorry
    معاف کیجیے
    maaf kijiye
  • Yes
    جی ہاں
    jee haan
  • No
    نہیں
    nahin

+10 more below

🎎

Tipping

Tipping, called 'baksheesh', is common and appreciated. Leave around 10% in restaurants if no service charge is added, and small amounts for hotel porters, drivers, and helpers; rounding up is fine for taxis.

🚖Rideshare & Taxi

See all →
C

Careem

Middle East rideshare super-app. Owned by Uber but operates locally.

Dominant rideshare and bike-hailing.
i

inDrive

Driver-negotiated rideshare popular in Latin America, Africa, Russia, Pakistan.

Cheaper alternative — you negotiate fares.

🗺️Navigation & Maps

See all →
G

Google Maps

Works almost everywhere except mainland China. Offline maps are critical when roaming.

Solid for major cities.

📱Messaging

See all →
W

WhatsApp

The dominant messenger in Europe, Latin America, India, Middle East, Africa.

Universal.

🍱Food Delivery

See all →
F

Foodpanda

Dominant food delivery in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Pakistan, Bangladesh.

Foodpanda dominates food delivery.
Phrases

All Urdu phrases

Hello
السلام علیکم
as-salam alaikum
Thank you
شکریہ
shukriya
Excuse me / Sorry
معاف کیجیے
maaf kijiye
Yes
جی ہاں
jee haan
No
نہیں
nahin
Please
براہ کرم
barah-e-karam
Goodbye
خدا حافظ
khuda hafiz
How much?
کتنے کا ہے؟
kitne ka hai?
Where is the bathroom?
بیت الخلا کہاں ہے؟
bait-ul-khala kahan hai?
The check, please
بل دیجیے
bill dijiye
I don't understand
میں نہیں سمجھا
main nahin samjha
Do you speak English?
کیا آپ انگریزی بولتے ہیں؟
kya aap angrezi bolte hain?
Help!
مدد!
madad!
Delicious
مزیدار
mazedaar
Cheers
آپ کی صحت کے نام
aap ki sehat ke naam
Briefing

What to know before you go

Do

  • Use your right hand for eating, greeting, and giving or receiving items, as the left is considered unclean
  • Dress modestly; women should cover shoulders, arms, and legs, and carrying a scarf for the head is wise at mosques
  • Accept offers of tea (chai) and food graciously, as hospitality is a deep point of pride
  • Remove your shoes before entering homes and mosques
  • Greet with 'As-salamu alaykum' and ask permission before photographing people, especially women
  • Respect prayer times and dress and behave conservatively, particularly in rural areas

Don't

  • Do not drink alcohol or consume it publicly, as it is largely prohibited for Muslims and tightly restricted
  • Do not show public displays of affection between couples, which is socially unacceptable
  • Do not eat, drink, or smoke in public during daylight in Ramadan
  • Do not disrespect Islam, the Prophet, or religious sentiments, which is extremely serious and dangerous

⚠️ Common scams to know

  • Taxi and rickshaw drivers quoting inflated fares to tourists; agree the price before getting in or use ride apps like Careem and inDrive
  • Unofficial 'guides' attaching themselves at sights and markets, then demanding large fees
  • Gem and carpet shops pressuring tourists to buy 'rare' items that are fake or vastly overpriced
  • Currency exchange shortchanging or using poor rates; use banks or licensed dealers and count notes
Going elsewhere?

More destination guides