Traveling to Pakistan for the first time is nothing like what the internet shows you. In fact, my first 24 hours taught me that most travelers underestimate how smooth, friendly, and surprisingly scenic the experience can be, if you know what to expect. So here’s my full Day 1 journey, written not just as a story, but as a guide for anyone planning their first trip.

Dubai Departure: Visa Verification is REAL, expect waiting on the side

My trip started right after my night shift in Dubai. I rushed to my room to quickly change into airport clothes and grab my backpack before hailing a cab for my early morning flight. Here’s the first important thing for travelers:

Travel Tip #1: Airport check-in counter staff will manually verify visas.

At the check-in counter, the ground staff took a photo of my printed visa and sent it to their internal group for confirmation. This took 15–20 minutes, a slightly awkward moment since I am the only Filipino on my flight.

➡️ If you’re flying to Pakistan, arrive early.
➡️ This step is normal. Don’t panic.

I had one check-in bag and one hand-carry. Airblue includes a 20kg allowance, so you won’t incur any surprise fees.

Flight to Islamabad: Window Views are always best

The flight to Islamabad took around three hours. As we approached landing, I looked out the window and saw farmland spreading endlessly. It felt peaceful and untouched; it was nothing like the chaotic image people usually imagine.

Travel Tip #2: Sit by the window. The approach to Islamabad is stunning.

Arrival in Islamabad: The Airport Is Calm, Not Crowded

When we landed, I expected a huge immigration line. Instead, the airport was almost empty as no other flight came before us. I later learned it wasn’t peak tourist season, which made immigration incredibly smooth.

Travel Tip #3: Immigration rarely asks many questions.

• They only checked my visa
• Verified my return ticket
• Stamped my passport
• No hotel booking required
• No travel insurance questions

One officer asked if I was Chinese; I said Filipino. A quick smile, and I was on my way. The questioning likely stems from the fact that Filipino tourists are uncommon in Pakistan, unlike Chinese tourists, who are frequently seen.

Exiting the Airport: Hospitality Starts Outside

The moment I stepped outside the arrival area, my host family surprised me with a bouquet of flowers. It’s a very Pakistani gesture; they’re extremely welcoming, especially to guests or friends from abroad. This practice is new to me, given that my culture does not include the custom of presenting flowers to living men.

Travel Tip #4: Don’t be surprised by big gestures.

Pakistanis treat guests with much respect.

As a Filipino, I definitely stood out. Not in a bad way, in a “you’re new here” kind of way.

The Pakistani Culture on Wheels

We left the airport in their Suzuki Carry Van, the small vehicle that is practically the norm of Pakistani roads.

Inside, I finally understood why many Pakistani drivers in Dubai decorate their cars:

Travel Tip #5: Car decorations are cultural, not just aesthetic.

Colorful hanging ornaments that reflect personal identity.

Rerouting to Attock: Protests, Roadblocks & Real Pakistan Life

Originally, my plan was to stay in Islamabad. But because of the protests that day, roads were blocked. We had to cancel all hotel bookings and reroute to Attock instead, a city about 1.5 hours away.

Travel Tip #6: While protests do occur, they are not necessarily a common event across the entire country.

Always have a Plan B for your itinerary.

We drove through rural villages, narrow roads, and quiet farmlands. For a first-timer, it was eye-opening. This was a route seldom traveled by tourists. The scenery unfolded into a tapestry of vast potato and orange farms, where local people worked tirelessly beneath the sun. The village air was permeated by the distinct scent of fresh grass. Our drive was a constant challenge, shifting between narrow, twisting lanes and deeply rutted, rough tracks.

Trying Dil Dil Pakistan Pepsi. It’s Extremely Sweet

Along the way, my host family decided to stop in a village store and handed me a Dil Dil Pakistan Pepsi. They told me that it was a local variant and the taste would not be the same as the Pepsi in a can.

I took one sip, and it was not up to my liking.
It was sugar, not Pepsi.
But I appreciated the gesture and the moment.

Travel Tip #7: Local bottled drinks may taste different from what you’re used to.

If you prefer the regular Pepsi taste, choose the imported canned version.

Reaching Attock: Tired, Sleepless, Hungry

By the time we reached Attock, I was at the 30-hour mark with no sleep. We grabbed quick burgers from a local shop, I went straight to the house, and I knocked out instantly. No photos. No energy left. Just survival mode.

Night Walk in Attock: Safe, Lively, & Full of Surprises

After a short nap, my curiosity woke me up again. So we went out to explore Attock city proper at night, and this is where I realized how safe and sociable the Pakistanis are.

Here’s what I found:

✔ Street-side corn soup (must-try)

✔ Qingqi = tricycle in my country

✔ Homemade vanilla ice cream in 19°C cold weather

✔ Busy burger shops open till late

But the biggest surprise?

Travel Tip #8: Women do go out in Pakistan. A lot.

Contrary to stereotypes, I saw many women walking around, forming groups, ordering food, and enjoying the night.

I didn’t take photos out of respect, but it was great to see the real Pakistan, not the one on the news.

Final Thoughts on Day 1, Pakistan is NOT What People Think

In just one day, Pakistan had already broken half the misconceptions I had heard from the news and social media:

**✔ It’s safer than people think

✔ The airport process is smooth
✔ Locals are extremely warm
✔ Women participate actively in public life
✔ Nature is beautiful and relaxing
✔ Rural areas are rich with culture
✔ Traveling with locals feels like home**