Islamabad International Airport, inaugurated in 2018, serves Pakistan's capital, located approximately 25 km southwest of the city center near Fateh Jang.
It replaced the previous city airport (Benazir Bhutto International, now closed to commercial traffic), becoming the main access point to the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area and departure point for the nearby Margalla Mountains.
How to get to Islamabad International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to ISB
Parking near Islamabad International Airport
The parking is multi-level and is located next to the terminal.
Rates are in line with those of a national hub.
How to get to Islamabad from ISB
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Islamabad International Airport
Large car rental companies operate with dedicated desks near arrivals.
Driver's license, passport and credit card are essential; an IDP should be added in most cases.
Hotels near Islamabad International Airport
Around the terminal
A few minutes by car or taxi from the terminal; the Fateh Jang/Chakri area is rural and has no chain hotels.
Best for: Pre-dawn departures or one-night layovers, when the 40-50 minutes to the centre aren't worth it.
- You avoid the longer, less predictable trip to the centre of Islamabad
- Rates lower than any hotel in the city
- No international chain: only independent guest-houses and apartments
- A rural area with no restaurants or evening life outside the property
Club Road and Rawal Lake
About 35 km and 30-45 minutes from the new airport, depending on traffic; the area is around the Islamabad Club and Rawal Lake.
Best for: Those who want an international chain hotel in the stretch of Islamabad relatively closest to the airport.
- Two chain hotels a few steps from each other, both with an airport shuttle
- Direct access to the Islamabad Club (golf, polo) and Rawal Lake
- Not the diplomatic district: restaurants and evening venues are limited compared with the Blue Area
- Traffic on Murree Road at peak hours can lengthen the transfer
Recommended hotels
- Best Western Premier Islamabad On Club Road next to the Rawal Dam Interchange, in the Shakar Parian area: pool, gym and several in-house restaurants, among the capital's few chain 4-stars. View availability
- Ramada by Wyndham Islamabad At 1 Club Road, opposite Rawal Lake and next to the Islamabad Club; indoor pool, spa and rooftop lounge overlooking the Margalla Hills, described by the chain as the midpoint between the centre and the airport. View availability
Blue Area and Centaurus
About 37 km and 40-50 minutes from the airport; a shuttle is available on request from the Marriott.
Best for: Business trips and those who want the diplomatic district, the ministries and the capital's big shopping centres.
- The capital's only two genuine 5-star towers, open respectively for decades and since 2025
- Direct access to the Centaurus shopping centre and the diplomatic district
- The area furthest from the new airport among those in this guide
- Higher prices than Club Road for an equivalent standard
Recommended hotels
- Islamabad Marriott Hotel At the foot of the Margalla Hills, 0.4 km from the Ministers' Enclave: the capital's historic 5-star, with a shuttle to the new airport (37 km). View availability
- Mövenpick Hotel Centaurus Islamabad Opened in early 2025 next to the Centaurus shopping centre, the city's first upscale hotel skyscraper: 380 rooms, 7 restaurants and the city's first helipad. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is modern and spacious, designed to handle the role of the capital's primary hub.
The recommended time before departure for international flights is 3 hours.
Map of Islamabad International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is Islamabad airport the same as Benazir Bhutto International Airport?
No: the old Benazir Bhutto International Airport (in Chaklala) was closed to commercial traffic on 1 May 2018, replaced by the new Islamabad International Airport, which inherited its IATA code ISB.
Q. How much does a taxi from the airport to downtown Islamabad cost?
The official Metro Taxi charges fixed fares: roughly 1,600-1,800 PKR for the F-7/G-10 sectors, 2,500-3,000 PKR for the Blue Area or Rawalpindi Saddar.
Q. Do you need a visa for Pakistan?
Yes, since 2026 almost all nationalities, including Italy, need a paid eVisa applied for online in advance, with processing times of 7-20 working days.
Q. Are Islamabad and Rawalpindi the same city?
No, they are two distinct but closely linked cities, often considered a single conurbation: Islamabad is the planned, more modern capital, Rawalpindi the older and more populous city a few kilometres away, and both are served by the same international airport.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights