Guide to travel to Karbala for Pakistani National

✈️ 1. Flights & Routes

Primary airport: Fly into Najaf (NJF)—closest major gateway, only ~80 km from Karbala. Airlines like Flydubai, Air Arabia, and Gulf Air operate Karachi → Najaf flights starting at ~PKR 85,600 one-way (~PKR 158,000 round-trip)
Islamabad or Lahore departure: Expect slightly higher fares—one-way around PKR 106,500 .
Pakistan International Airlines and Turkish Airlines are also options, especially for group pilgrim bookings .

No visa-on-arrival: Iraq suspended most VOA options since March 1, 2025; e‑Visa mandatory .
Ziyarat (religious visit) visa via Iraqi e‑Visa portal or authorized Pakistani travel agents.
- Typically processed in 1–4 weeks, but delays possible during peak Arba’een/Ashura periods .
- Visa cost range: 1‑month ~$100; 2‑month ~$250; 1‑year multi‑entry ~$1,500.
- Requirements include: valid passport (≥ 6 months), photos, return ticket, hotel booking, and invitation/sponsor letter if needed.

Standalone travel: According to Pakistani pilgrims, total cost (flight, visa, hotels, local travel) is about USD 850–1,000 (PKR ~250,000–300,000).
Via tour operators:
- Pak-Tours offers 7–14 day packages (flights + visas + 3–5★ hotels + transport) from PKR 250k–900k depending on duration.
- ZiaraatGuide provides visa processing (+packages), 48‑hour rush service, Arbaeen support .

Najaf → Karbala:
- Shared buses/taxis available; taxi fare from Najaf to Karbala is roughly USD 15–20 .
- If flying via Baghdad, taxi to Najaf can cost USD 70–100 .
Internal tours/packages often include AC coach transfers between holy cities.

Hotels near shrines typically cost around USD 60/night .
Visiting in a group or with a tour ensures Urdu/English guides and local assistance—strongly recommended for first-timers.

Apply for Ziyarat e‑Visa at least 4‑6 weeks before travel; during Arba’een, 6–8 weeks is safer.
Book flights early—preferably 3–6 months ahead, especially for Najaf flights .
Arrange accommodations and transport in advance (bus/taxi, bus tours) for smoother journey.
Bring USD cash, exchange to Iraqi Dinar in Iraq; USD widely accepted.
Carry necessary documents with you: passport, visa printout, hotel bookings, return ticket, sponsor letter.
Travel in groups or with agents: Eases language barriers and logistics .

Step	Details
✈️ Flight	Karachi → Najaf via Flydubai (~PKR 158,000 RT)
🛂 Visa	Ziyarat e‑Visa (~PKR 30–50k)
🚍 Transfer	Taxi/bus Najaf → Karbala (~USD 15–20)
🛏️ Stay	3–5★ hotel near shrine (~USD 60/night)
🕌 Ziyarat	Shrine visits in Karbala & Najaf, guided

Estimated Budget: