More and more people travel to Pakistan and especially to the capital Islamabad for business. While the public transportation network is extensive, you’d better rely on your own transportation to ensure you’re not late for meetings and other important events. It is easy to rent a car in Pakistan to use during your stay in the country. Here are some essential tips to help ensure you rent the right vehicle at an affordable price.

general requirements

To rent a car in Pakistan, you will need an International Driver’s License, also known as an International Driving Permit (IDP), if you are a foreigner. You can obtain this license through your country’s licensing authorities prior to departure.

The legal minimum driving age in Pakistan is 18 and this applies to foreign nationals driving a rental car within the country. At the same time, many car rental companies across the country have a young driver requirement that requires drivers under the age of 25 to pay higher charges commensurate with the risk they pose. When approaching a service provider, you should check whether such charges apply.

Where to find rentals

Car rental companies operate in all major cities including Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore. They usually have offices at international airports and in larger hotels, popular with foreign businessmen and tourists. While you can rent a car directly from said office, you may want to do so online prior to your arrival. This will ensure that you will be able to use a car that fully meets your needs during your stay. All major car rental services have a website that supports online reservations.

What types of cars can be rented in Pakistan? When you use a trusted service with a solid reputation, you can expect all vehicles to be less than 10 years old. You can choose from sedans, coupes, SUVs, and even trucks in some cases. There are also luxury vehicles. It is worth noting that the cars are mostly from Asian and European brands such as Honda, Toyota, Suzuki and Mercedes Benz and BMW.

Costs and Payments

The price you will pay to rent a car in Pakistan depends on the type of vehicle you rent and the length of the rental. There are additional charges for special services, such as the delivery of the car directly to the place where you will stay. The cost of insurance is also added to the total price. Before traveling to the country, you should verify if your auto insurance at home extends or can be extended to this country. You can also ask if your international credit card comes with auto insurance coverage valid in the country.

Check when and how you are expected to pay when you rent a car in Pakistan. Most companies require a deposit and some will only accept a cash deposit in the local currency, the Pakistani rupee. Ideally, you will be able to pay both the deposit and the rest of the total cost through a credit card.