Cheap Flights to Pakistan for Christmas and New Year

December is when the UK school holidays, winter wedding season and families returning home all land in the same few weeks. Seats on the most popular flights sell out early, and fares rise as the departure date gets closer. The most expensive days are usually the last weekend before schools break up and the days just before Christmas.

The good news is that Christmas fares are not the same on every date. Leaving a few days earlier or later than everyone else, and flying back after the first week of January, can make a real difference to the price. Travelling after 26 December is usually cheaper than leaving in the week before Christmas.

If you want to travel in the two weeks before Christmas, book as early as you can. For most families that means deciding in October or early November rather than waiting for a price drop, because December fares to Pakistan rarely fall as the date approaches. Our general advice is to book six to ten weeks ahead for the best price, and eight to twelve weeks ahead for December.

Direct flights and the airlines with the most generous baggage fill first. If you are travelling with a large family or need a specific day, request a quote with your dates now and we will check availability and hold seats where the fare allows it. Our guide to the best time to book flights to Pakistan explains the pattern across the whole year.

You do not have to fly from the airport nearest to you. Fares can differ by airport, and a short train or drive can save money, especially for a family of four or more. We sell flights to Pakistan from Manchester, London, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and we can quote from other UK airports on request.

Compare the airports on price and on the flight options, not only on distance. Manchester and London have the widest choice of direct and one-stop flights, while Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow are served mainly by one-stop flights through the Gulf or Istanbul.

PIA flies non-stop from Manchester and London to Islamabad and Lahore, with Pakistani meals and a 40kg baggage allowance on most fares. British Airways flies non-stop from London Gatwick to Islamabad. A direct flight takes roughly eight hours and avoids the risk of a missed connection when airports are busy.

One-stop flights with Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Etihad, Gulf Air and others are often cheaper, and they reach more Pakistani cities such as Karachi, Peshawar, Sialkot, Multan and Faisalabad. Budget carriers such as Air Arabia can have very low fares, but the layover is usually long and checked baggage depends on the fare, so check what is included before you compare prices.

Most families travel with more than usual at Christmas and New Year, with gifts, winter clothes and items for relatives. Most airlines allow 30kg to 40kg of checked baggage in economy, but the figure depends on the airline and the fare. Look at our baggage allowance guide and ask for extra baggage at booking, because adding it in advance costs much less than paying at the airport.

Keep power banks, medicines and valuables in your hand luggage, and keep receipts for new electronics, which can attract customs duty in Pakistan.

Check that every passport is valid for the whole trip and that you have the right travel documents for each traveller, including children and anyone with a different nationality. Entry rules can change, so confirm them with official sources before you pay. Our documents guide lists what most UK travellers need to check.

Browse the current advertised offers for prices from Manchester, London, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. These are advertised fares, not live booking prices, so a consultant confirms the exact fare, dates and baggage before you pay.

To check a fare for your dates, request a quote, send us a WhatsApp message or call 0161 870 6778. We confirm the price, send you the options and issue your e-tickets the same day once you are happy. Every flight is ATOL protected.