Violence in the form of assassinations have increased throughout Pakistan over the past couple of years, and unfortunately Lahore has been involved in a tragic share of these. Consult your embassy regarding travel warnings.
Demonstrations aren't uncommon and should be avoided at all cost. In early 2006, the Prophet Muhammad(S.A.W) cartoon protests quickly got out of hand, and several businesses were torched along with scores of cars. If a large demonstration or protest is underway, foreigners should try to remain at their hotels until the dust settles, especially if what they're protesting has anything to do with the West.
In general, visitors will find the locals very curious, very eager to help and often eager to relieve tourists of their money, though certainly not of their lives. Even the biggest and most fearsome green-turbaned men will usually be friendly and helpful. Being friendly and smiling at people goes a long way. If you're a woman, though, it's best to be sparing with smiles lest people get too friendly; though this is mostly in areas like bazaars, not the actual city.
If you enter a mosque, women should wear a dupatta, which is a scarf used by local females to cover their heads and bosoms. Men & women should also remove their shoes while entering in a mosque.
Avoid traveling to unlit areas at night, especially alone. Most of Lahore is lit up all night long because it has a big and booming nightlife. Use common sense when hanging out with friends, and avoid being intoxicated in public as it is an Islamic country.
Beware of pickpockets when you are in crowded areas like Liberty market, the airport, bus stands, the railway station, Anarkali, Ichra shopping centre, or Mall road. There are also con-men looking out for foreigners. Beware of fake policemen or men claiming to belong to the intelligence agencies, even if they show you a business card. See also Common scams.
In an emergency you can call police help line 15 or call Rescue Services at 1122.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Lahore
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Lahore - updated May 2024
SAVE up to 75% on Last Minute deals! Search for discount Lahore hotels, motels, apartments, hostels, guest accommodations and vacation resorts. Book now and pay at the hotel. Instant email confirmation!
Lahore Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
