Cheap flights to Pakistan and India are advertised all over the internet; however, on closer inspection very few of them are actually (a) cheap, and (b) available. Thousands of travellers each year go to see the cultural and religious delights of Pakistan, including the mosques and holy sites that cities such as Lahore and Islamabad can offer. If your travel plans will be taking you to Pakistan or India this year, have a read of these top tips for getting hold of a great travel deal.

1. Seek the services of a professional, established travel agency. It’s simple for anybody to use the internet to look for low cost flights, although in the end it’s the local travel agent in your town who who has a far better grip on how to get a great deal. We sometimes forget to use travel agenst that are right on our doorstep, in our quest to find the cheapest and quickest of everything on the internet.

2. Go and find 3 different quotes from 3 companies. Many of us are familiar with price comparison websites, so it shouldn’t be an alien concept to get 3 different quotes from 3 travel agents. Once they understand that they’re just one of a few companies trying to get your business, they might just offer something that bit more attractive. But either way, a flight ticket is not a cheap item, so do your research and make sure you understand all the added extras (baggage allowance, airport taxes, transfer costs, etc), before making your final decision.

3. Use a travel agent who specialise in trips to the sub continent. Travel agencies who specialise in trips to India and Pakistan are much more familiar with the travel and immigration requirements than a generalist travel agency. To avoid any risk, it is highly recommended to seek the help and expertise of a local expert travel agency when it comes to Visa applications. There is no substitute for getting thr right advice from the outset, and sometimes a good deal is not just about the cheapest price.

4. Use word of mouth and the recommendation of friends and family. Buying tickets to Pakistan is just the same as any other type of purchase. People who have made the trip before, or booked flights to Pakistan or India previously are always a good source of knowledge and recommendations. It won’t always give you the very lowest priced ticket but it will definitely ensure a more relaxed and seamless travel experience.

5. Don’t leave it too late. The internet age tends to make us believe we can get what we want, when we want it, but of course flights get booked up quickly, and whilst sometimes you can find a bargain flight, don’t rely on it. It’s sound advice to make travel and flight bookings well in advance, just to ensure you’ve left no room for any last minutes hiccups.

So to summarise, the cheapest flight to Pakistan is not always the one with the lowest price tag, but there are lots of places to go to get advice and do your research. In the end most people would agree that the most important thing is a well planned and well executed travel package, allowing you to arrive in Pakistan on schedule, with all your luggage, and with no major dramas!.