Taxis, Islamabad

Local bus service within the city is not well organized. Small Vans, Hiace & Suzuki's run around the city, but their route nos. are not properly printed on the face.

Therefore for tourists & new comers it is advisable to hire a taxi for journeys within the city or to Rawalpindi. There are plenty of Yellow cab taxi's available on the roads.

Due to inflation fares changes frequently. You may bargain. Minimum fare these days is Rs. 100/-

Radio Cabs are also available from-to Airport.

The easiest mode to travel in twin cities is by taxi. One way trip between twin cities cost around Rs. 150 ( USD 2.5 ) appox. These taxis does not use meter and they are non-AC. You should bargain and make a deal before sitting in taxi. If you are a foreginer then you would be charged too much, so ask some one local to help you. Its better to confirm rates with locals and they would help you.

You can hire a taxi for getting around islamabad. I hired one,they are very tatty and are not air conditioned at all. It cost me 220 rupees for me and my friend. I think that was a bit to much!! My advice is that you should ask the hotel to hire you a taxi.

Taxi is always a nice option to move around in Islamabad and its sister city Rawalpindi. Minimum fare is around Rs. 20 ( appox 35 cents). One way trip on taxi between twin cities cost around Rs. 150 ( appox $ 2.6).

Taxis are not meter controled and there is no air conditioning. Most of taxis are old model cars in poor condition. The point here is that you always have to bargain before hiring a taxi.

It you are not a Pakistani then these texi drivers would charge you too much. So you better confirm rates from some local person before hiring a taxi.

It's pretty easy getting around Islamabad. You can either take a taxi (small black or yellow cars -Suzuki Mehrans to be exact!) They'll find you if you can't find them, as they're always pulling up next to you on the street if they see you walking! It's totally safe, the drivers are harmless, just trying to make a living. Don't pay more than 50 rps in/around Islamabad...

The taxis in Islambad are pretty easy to spot, they are almost all black suzukis with a yellow painted roof and you'll have no trouble picking one up if you are obviously a foreigner - in fact you will probably spend more time trying to shake-off drivers eager for your business who slow down and drive alongside you as you walk asking if you want their taxi!

The taxis are well loved vehicles usually having the back window decorated with stickers, reflective pieces and all manner of trinkets hanging from the rear-view mirror (the Pakistani equivilent of the Australian 'Fluffy-dice' seems to be CDs which have stuff written on then and then hung from the Rearview.........anyone know if there if significance in this or just a fad?)

The prices were pretty much negotiable with no meters. Most taxi drivers will, when asked how much the fare is respond with "As you please" knowing that what we decide to be a 'fair' price will be a pretty good deal!

We generally paid about Rs50-70 dollars for a North-South trip across Islamabad (about AUD$1-2)