Islamabad Airport (ISB) – Complete Guide to Islamabad International 2026 | AIRPORTS

Islamabad Airport – Complete Guide to Islamabad International (ISB)

Live arrivals, departures, airlines, terminals, parking, hotels & transport — all in one place.

Airport Overview

Airport: Islamabad International
IATA: ISB
ICAO: OPIS
Location: Islamabad, ICT
Type: International Airport
Operator: Pakistan Airports Authority
🕒 CIP Lounge: 24/7 🕒 Check-in Opens: 3 hrs before Intl / 2 hrs before Domestic 🕒 Duty-Free: 05:00 – 23:00

Islamabad International Airport (ISB) stands as Pakistan's most modern and technologically advanced aviation gateway, serving the capital city and the twin cities of Rawalpindi. Located approximately 25 kilometers southwest of Islamabad's city center and 12 kilometers from Rawalpindi, this state-of-the-art facility—which replaced the aging Benazir Bhutto International Airport in 2018—features a striking crescent-shaped terminal that has quickly become an architectural landmark. As the premier hub for diplomatic, government, and international travel, ISB hosts a formidable roster of international carriers including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways, Thai Airways, Saudia, and British Airways, making it the preferred point of entry for diplomats, business travelers, and overseas Pakistanis.

The airport's operational architecture features a single, seamlessly integrated terminal with three sprawling concourses that handle both domestic and international operations on different levels. The domestic concourse serves PIA, SereneAir, Airblue, and Fly Jinnah for routes to Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and the critical Skardu route—a lifeline for tourists heading to the northern valleys. The international concourse manages departures and arrivals for foreign carriers, with dedicated check-in zones and premium lounge facilities. A notable feature is the 10-minute internal walkway connecting arrival and departure levels, allowing passengers holding connecting itineraries to transfer without exiting security—a significant convenience for travelers transiting through the capital. In addition to passenger services, the airport handles significant cargo traffic, including diplomatic mail and high-value exports from the region.

🌫️ Winter Fog Advisory (Nov–Feb): Islamabad experiences dense winter fog, particularly from December to January, frequently causing flight delays and diversions. Always book the earliest possible morning flight (before 9:00 AM) and check your airline's live status via the widget below before heading to the airport.

⏱️ Times in PKT (UTC+5). Data refreshes automatically.

Airlines at Islamabad Airport

Air Arabia

Sharjah (SHJ)

Batik Air

Kuala Lumpur (KUL)

Etihad

Abu Dhabi (AUH)

flynas

Riyadh/Jeddah

Gulf Air

Bahrain (BAH)

Jazeera Airways

Kuwait (KWI)

Saudia

Jeddah/Riyadh

SriLankan Airlines

Colombo (CMB)

Thai Airways

Bangkok (BKK)

⚡ Quick Actions

📊 Routes & Destinations from Islamabad

🏠 Domestic Routes

Karachi (KHI)PIASereneAirblue
Lahore (LHE)PIAAirblueFly Jinnah
Peshawar (PEW)PIASerene
Quetta (UET)PIASerene
Skardu (KDU)PIASerene
Gilgit (GIL)PIA (Seasonal)
Sukkur (SKZ)PIA

🌍 International Routes

Dubai (DXB)EmiratesPIAAirblueAir Arabia
Sharjah (SHJ)Air Arabia
Doha (DOH)Qatar AirwaysPIA
Istanbul (IST)Turkish AirlinesPIA
Abu Dhabi (AUH)EtihadPIA
Bangkok (BKK)Thai Airways
Jeddah (JED)SaudiaPIAflynas
Riyadh (RUH)SaudiaPIAflynas
Kuwait (KWI)Jazeera Airways
Colombo (CMB)SriLankan Airlines
Kuala Lumpur (KUL)Batik Air
London (LHR)PIABritish Airways
Manchester (MAN)PIA
Bahrain (BAH)Gulf Air

Terminals at Islamabad Airport

  • Single Integrated Terminal: Crescent-shaped, 3 concourses
  • Domestic Concourse: Gates 1–10 (Domestic operations)
  • International Concourse: Gates 11–20 (Immigration & customs)
  • VIP Lounges: CIP Lounge, PIA Business Lounge, Executive Lounge (Gate 15)
  • Internal Transit Corridor: 10-minute walkway connecting arrival/departure levels

Facilities & Services

Free WiFi
Currency Exchange
Duty Free
Prayer Areas
Medical Services
Lost & Found
Wheelchair Assist
ATMs
Restaurants & Cafés
Baby Care Rooms
Cargo Services

Hotels Near Islamabad Airport

Islamabad Airport Hotel

0 km · ★★★☆☆

Connected via walkway, day-use rooms
Hotel One (FAZIA)

3.5 km · ★★★★☆

Free shuttle, 24/7 reception
Best Western Premier

6 km · ★★★★☆

Executive suites, airport transfer
Serena Hotel Islamabad

25 km · ★★★★★

Luxury stay, 5-star amenities

Transport & Parking

Transport

🚖 Pre-paid Taxi (Metro)PKR 1,600 - 2,500
📱 Ride-Hailing (Careem/Uber/InDrive)PKR 1,200 - 2,000
🚌 Airport Shuttle BusPKR 350 (to Rawalpindi)
🔑 Car Rental (Hertz / Avis)From PKR 5,000/day

📍 Pick-up: Exit Gate 3 (Ride-hailing) | Gate 1 (Pre-paid Taxis)

Parking

🅿️ Short-Term (1-3 hrs)PKR 100 / hr
🅿️ Long-Term (Daily)PKR 600 / day
🛡️ Security24/7 CCTV

📞 Contact & Emergency

  • 📞 Airport Enquiry: +92-51-996-12345
  • 🚨 ASF (Security): 1990
  • 🛃 FIA Immigration: +92-51-996-12800
  • 🧳 Lost & Found: +92-51-996-12777
  • 🅿️ Parking Office: +92-51-996-12222
  • ✉️ Email: info@isb-airport.gov.pk

🆘 Emergency (Fire / Medical)

1122

Islamabad Airport Location Map

📍 Get Directions on Google Maps →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I travel domestically from ISB with just my CNIC?
Absolutely. Pakistani nationals can board domestic flights using their original CNIC or Smart CNIC. Overseas Pakistanis with a valid NICOP card are also exempt from passport presentation for domestic sectors.
What is the taxi fare from ISB to the city center?
Pre-paid Metro Radio Cabs charge a fixed PKR 1,600 to F-7 sector, PKR 1,800 to G-10, and approximately PKR 2,500 to Rawalpindi Saddar. Ride-hailing apps like Careem and InDrive are cheaper but require walking to the designated ride-share pick-up bay outside Exit Gate 3.
How early should I arrive at ISB?
Domestic: 2 hours before. International: 3-4 hours recommended, especially for UK/USA flights due to FIA secondary interviews.
Does Islamabad Airport have direct flights to Skardu?
Yes. PIA operates direct A320 flights daily during peak summer (May-October), while SereneAir runs bi-weekly services. However, flights are notoriously weather-dependent; we strongly recommend booking morning departures (before 9:00 AM) to avoid afternoon cloud cover that frequently triggers cancellations.
How many terminals does Islamabad Airport have?
Islamabad International Airport features a single, state-of-the-art crescent-shaped terminal with three sprawling concourses that seamlessly integrate domestic and international operations.
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