Punjab is Pakistan's most populous province, a fertile plain fed by five rivers in the eastern part of the country. Home to the historic capital of the Mughal empire in Lahore, the province blends grand Mughal architecture, bustling bazaars, and vast agricultural land with modern industrial cities such as Faisalabad and Sialkot. Punjab is the cultural and economic heartland of Pakistan, known for its cuisine, festivals, Sufi shrines, and the ceremonial border crossing at Wagah.
Local currency: Pakistani Rupee (PKR).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Punjab.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- PKR 1,500-3,000 (approx $5-11)
- Budget
- PKR 3,000-6,000 (approx $11-22)
- Midrange
- PKR 7,000-16,000 (approx $25-58)
- Luxury
- PKR 22,000-70,000+ (approx $79-252+)
Food
- Street
- PKR 100-400 (approx $0.35-1.45)
- Local
- PKR 500-1,200 (approx $1.80-4.30)
- Midrange
- PKR 1,500-3,500 (approx $5.40-12.60)
- Fine
- PKR 5,000-14,000 (approx $18-50)
Transport
- Bus
- PKR 30-150 (approx $0.10-0.55)
- Taxi
- PKR 300-900 (approx $1.10-3.25)
- Airport
- PKR 1,000-2,200 (approx $3.60-8)
- Daytrip
- PKR 2,000-6,000 (approx $7-22)
Activities
- Museum
- PKR 200-700 (approx $0.70-2.50, foreigner rates often higher than local rates)
- Sites
- PKR 0-700 (approx $0-2.50, many mosques and shrines are free with a donation box)
- Tour
- PKR 3,000-8,000 (approx $11-29)
- Excursion
- PKR 5,000-18,000 (approx $18-65)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Punjab costs end-to-end.
Weekend escape
A short city break covering essentials and a few highlights.
One-week tour
Comfortable pace including major attractions and day trips.
Two-week explorer
In-depth exploration covering multiple regions.
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Travel in shoulder season — fewer crowds and significantly lower accommodation rates.
Use public transport instead of taxis where possible. Day passes often pay for themselves after 3 trips.
Eat where locals eat — markets and neighbourhood eateries offer better food at a fraction of tourist-strip prices.
Book accommodation with kitchen access for longer stays so you can self-cater some meals.