Karachi Travel Risk — Elevated Risk (54/100)
Is Karachi safe right now? Checked 16 October 2026
Karachi scores 54/100 on our travel risk index (Elevated). The US State Department rates Pakistan Level 3 (Reconsider Travel, updated 16 Jun 2026); the UK FCDO advises against all travel to parts of the country (updated 13 Oct 2026); Canada says: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories). No GDACS or USGS hazard events within 100 km in the last 14 days. No change in government advice in the last 7 days.
Official US advisory · Level 3
Reconsider Travel
This decision takes precedence over the analytical composite shown on this page.
Disease & health (score 30)
Transport safety (score 50)
September 27, 2026
Karachi, Pakistan has a current Travel Risk Calculator composite score of 54 out of 100 (elevated risk tier); the highest-rated risk category is transport safety at 50/100; the lowest-rated category is disease & health at 30/100; last updated September 27, 2026. For official nationwide security advisories, entry requirements, and health notices, see the Pakistan travel risk page. Real-time conditions below include live weather, official advisory levels, GDACS disaster alerts, and current news.
Get a personalized assessment for your tripHow safe is Karachi to visit in 2026?
Karachi is currently under a US State Department Level 3 Reconsider Travel advisory. That official decision takes precedence. The 54/100 elevated composite remains visible only as analytical context and must not be read as permission to disregard the advisory. The highest-rated risk category for Karachi is transport safety (50/100), and the lowest is disease & health (30/100). This page was last updated on September 27, 2026; the baseline category scores reflect analytical indicators, layered with live conditions throughout the day. Live conditions — weather and air quality every 30 minutes, US State Department advisory every 6 hours, GDACS disaster alerts every 30 minutes, CDC health notices every 12 hours, and news every hour — are cached at the source and refreshed automatically when stale.
Driven by: security (74/100) and natural hazards (45/100).
A score of 54 is higher than the scores of 75% of the 241 countries we cover.
AI safety snapshot · refreshed Oct 15, 2026
Karachi currently maintains an elevated risk profile with a baseline safety score of 54 out of 100 and a US State Department advisory level of 3. Recent safety headlines highlight public safety concerns driven by a local crime wave and fatal robberies. Additionally, travelers should note a Level 1 global dengue health notice from the CDC.
AI-summarized strictly from the live public-source data below (US State Dept advisory, GDACS, CDC, Google News). Auto-refreshed at most once per day on the first visit. Not official advice.
Live conditions last refreshed: Oct 16, 2026 03:37 UTC
What should I do now?
- Run a real assessment. Open the calculator for live data (weather, advisory, news) layered onto this baseline.
- Transport safety (score 50/100): Use the safest available transit. For high-risk routes, prefer reputable carriers and avoid late-night driving.
- Crime (score 48/100): Use registered taxis or ride-share apps. Keep electronics out of sight in public transit. Read recent reviews for your specific neighborhood.
- Check your country's advisory. The single most authoritative live signal. Linked at the bottom of every real assessment.
Day vs Night Safety in Karachi
Guidance based on our scores and official advice — not a measured score.
Daytime conditions are generally secure along major corridors and commercial districts. Keep bags zipped and avoid displaying high-value items openly.
Risk levels elevate noticeably after dark outside main central zones. Avoid walking alone through unlit parks, alleys, or quiet transit stations; favor pre-booked door-to-door transport.
Safety by Traveler Type in Karachi
Guidance based on our scores and official advice — not a measured score.
Older travelers
Health/transport risk is elevated. Confirm medical-evacuation cover, plan rest between transfers, and locate English-capable medical care on arrival.
No group-specific warning is triggered in Karachi for solo travelers (Crime 48/100 · Transport 50/100), women traveling solo (Crime 48/100), families with children (Health 30/100 · Natural disaster 35/100), business travelers (Digital 40/100 · Money 45/100 · Transport 50/100) and lgbtq+ travelers (Advisory 45/100 · Political 40/100): these scores sit in the low-to-moderate range, so standard precautions apply. Local laws affecting LGBTQ+ travelers and gender-specific incident rates are not captured in our scores; check your government's travel guidance.
Score layers
Safety categories
Source: Grounded open data research & citations
Quick facts
| Hospital access | medium |
|---|---|
| Airport risk | medium |
| Road safety | medium |
| Public transport | medium |
| Tourist scam risk | medium |
| Night safety | medium |
| Last updated | September 27, 2026 |
Live conditions in Karachi
Real-time data refreshed from public sources — weather and air quality from Open-Meteo, official advisory from the US State Department, disaster alerts from GDACS, health notices from the CDC, news from Google News. For an AI-synthesized briefing tailored to your specific trip, run a personalized assessment.
Today's weather
⛅ Partly cloudy
Karachi, Pakistan
| Today's high / low | 34.8°C / 25.6°C | Wind now / max | 4.8 km/h / 12.7 km/h |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humidity | 60% | Precipitation today | 0 mm · 4% chance |
| UV (max today) | 6.3 | Sunrise / Sunset | 06:30 / 18:04 |
Source: Open-Meteo (free public weather API) · fetched 2026-10-16 03:19:15 UTC · cached
Air quality
Air Quality
Unhealthy for sensitive groups
| PM2.5 / PM10 | 65.2 / 116.6 µg/m³ | O₃ / NO₂ | 17 / 63.3 µg/m³ |
|---|
- High PM2.5 (fine particulate)
Source: Open-Meteo Air Quality · fetched 2026-10-16 03:19:16 UTC · cached
Official travel advisory
Level 3 · Reconsider Travel
Pakistan - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Read full advisory → · US Department of State
Natural hazard calendar & history
5-Year Hazard Calendar (100 km Radius)
| Hazard | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floods | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Most flood events within 100 km of Karachi happened in February (1 of 1 in five years).
Source: GDACS, USGS; five years to October 2026.
For consular advice on women's safety, LGBT+ travel, and local laws, see the Pakistan travel advice & laws.
Check the official entry requirements for your nationality before you travel. See the Pakistan entry requirements.
Health notices
Health Notices for this Destination
-
Level 1 - Global Dengue WATCH · 2026-10-02
Dengue is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks commonly occurring every 2–5 years. Travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites. Country List : Colombia, Vietnam, Maldives, Bolivia, Cambodia, Kenya, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Mar
-
Level 2 - Global Polio ALERT · 2026-09-23
Some international destinations have circulating poliovirus. Before any international travel, make sure you are up to date on your polio vaccines. Country List : Afghanistan, Algeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, Nig
-
Level 1 - Global Measles WATCH · 2025-05-28
Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel. Country List : Afghan
Source: CDC Travelers’ Health · fetched 2026-10-15 19:24:31 UTC
Recent headlines
Recent Headlines · Karachi Pakistan
-
Pakistan: Karachi’s crime wave exposes public safety concerns after fatal robbery
The Tribune · 1d ago
-
6 killed, several injured as passenger train derails in Pakistan's Punjab
The Times of India · 2d ago
-
Five killed, 30 injured as passenger train derails in Pakistan
AzerNews · 2d ago
-
Atleast 6 killed, nearly 30 injured as train derails in Pakistan’s Punjab
Moneycontrol.com · 2d ago
-
Six killed, 30 injured as passenger train derails in Pakistan
DT Next · 2d ago
-
5 killed, several injured as passenger train derails in Pakistan's Punjab
The Times of India · 2d ago
Source: Google News · headlines verbatim, dates from publishers · fetched 2026-10-16 03:19:17 UTC
1991–2020 climate normals
Seasonal risk & best time to visit Karachi
The most weather-stable two-month window for Karachi is December–January, when typical daily temperatures run from about 14°C to 26°C and monthly rain averages 3 mm.
No threshold-level heat, cold, wind, or cyclone flag appears in the stored normals; July is the wettest typical month at about 47 mm.
Climate normals are planning context, not a short-range forecast. Source: Open-Meteo Climate API. Refreshed Sep 5, 2026.
Calculate risk for these travel dates Compare seasonal windows →
Practical safety map
Safety infrastructure nearby in Karachi
Karachi has 10 hospitals, 10 police stations, 5 embassies, 10 pharmacies and 2 fire stations within 7 km of the city center in the latest OpenStreetMap extract.
The interactive map loads when it approaches the viewport.
Facility list (works without JavaScript)
- Hospital: Unnamed hospital
- Hospital: Benazir Trauma Center
- Hospital: Best Kidney OPD opd SIUT
- Hospital: Burns Center
- Hospital: Childlife Foundation - CHK Pediatric ER
- Hospital: Civil Hospital
- Hospital: Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi
- Hospital: Dr. Ruth K. M. Pfau, Civil Hospital Karachi
- Hospital: Indus Hospital
- Hospital: SMBB Trauma Centre, Dr Ruth KM Pfau Civil Hospital
- Police: Aram Bagh Police Station
- Police: Aram Bagh Traffic Police karachi
- Police: FC Head Quarters line Garden
- Police: Garden Police Station
- Police: Kharadar Police Station
- Police: Nabi Bux & Garden Police Station
- Police: Napier Police Station
- Police: Napier Police Station
- Police: Preedy Police Station
- Police: Risala Police Station
- Embassy: Consulate General of Finland
- Embassy: Cypriot Consulate General
- Embassy: Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Botswana
- Embassy: Singapore Embassy
- Embassy: Z.A Shaikh Advocate & Income Tax Consultant
- Pharmacy: Unnamed pharmacy
- Pharmacy: Baqai Homoeopathic store
- Pharmacy: Dr. Hamid General Homoeo (PVT) LTD.
- Pharmacy: Kausar Medicos
- Pharmacy: Marfani Medical
- Pharmacy: Mehar Impex
- Pharmacy: Mektum House
- Pharmacy: Pharma D Linkers
- Pharmacy: Standard Homoeopathic pharmacy & Clinic
- Pharmacy: Waqar Homeo Store
- Fire station: Madina CNG 2
- Fire station: Saddar Fire Station
Map and facility data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Locations can be incomplete or outdated; confirm before relying on them. See this destination’s numbers or browse emergency numbers by country.
Emergency numbers (Pakistan)
| Police | 15 |
|---|---|
| Ambulance | 115 |
| Fire | 16 |
| General | 15 |
See nearby hospitals, police, pharmacies, embassies, and fire stations on the safety map.
Medical access
| Hospital access | low |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy access | low |
| Emergency response | low |
| English-speaking care | low |
| Evacuation complexity | low |
The provided sources do not detail the availability or quality of hospitals, emergency services, or English‑speaking medical staff in Karachi. Travelers should arrange comprehensive travel insurance and be prepared for limited on‑the‑ground medical support.
Common scam patterns
- label. Muggers dressed in police uniforms have been reported robbing foreign tourists in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) area, demanding valuables and cash. The perpetrators exploit the authority’s appearance to gain trust before committing the theft. Tip: Verify police identity by asking for badge numbers and avoid accepting assistance from unmarked officers.
- label. Taxi and rickshaw drivers frequently overcharge tourists by quoting inflated fares, claiming broken meters, or taking longer routes. This opportunistic practice is common in busy urban areas and can quickly drain a travel budget. Tip: Agree on a fare or request the meter to be turned on before starting the ride and compare prices using a reputable ride‑hailing app.
Area notes
- Clifton. An upscale, sea‑facing district recommended for most visitors due to its modern amenities and relative safety.
- Defence Housing Authority (DHA). A well‑planned residential and commercial zone popular with expatriates, though travelers should stay alert for impersonation scams.
- Karachi (overall). The city’s large population and mixed neighborhoods mean that general caution is advised, especially after dark and in less‑touristed districts.
Nearest embassies & consulates
Find your home country's diplomatic mission in Pakistan for consular support, lost passports, or citizen emergencies:
Run a personalized assessment for Karachi
Get a tailored briefing in ~15 seconds, with live weather, advisories, and recent news.
Calculate my trip riskScore history
| When | Score change | Tier | Reason / source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | 55 → 54 | elevated | Method change (scoring v2) scoring v2 |
| Sep 27, 2026 | 42 → 55 | moderate → elevated | Method change (scoring v2) scoring v2 |
| Sep 9, 2026 | 0 → 0 | unknown | Data update Grounded open data research & citations |
| May 15, 2026 | — → 53 | elevated | Data update Editorial baseline 2026-05-14 (round 2: Numbeo + WHO + State Dept + GPI + EPI references) |
Every editorial change to Karachi's composite score is logged here, with the source and reason for the change. Live data overlays (weather, advisories, disaster alerts, news) refresh continuously on their own cadences and are not recorded as score changes — see the Live conditions section above for current overlay state.
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Transparency & Sources
We document the baseline sources, coverage scope, and data inputs for this destination below.
Sources used
- SimpleMaps World Cities (CC BY 4.0): Coordinates, region, population for Karachi
- Travel Risk Calculator score (method v2): Security, crime and scams, health, natural hazards and current alerts for Karachi, from US, UK and Canadian advisories, INFORM, World Bank, UCDP, CDC, GDACS, USGS and OpenStreetMap
- Editorial baseline (Travel Risk Calculator): City-level threat scoring across 9 categories (crime, health, advisory, political, disaster, transport, environmental, digital security, money safety)
Live data overlays on this page refresh asynchronously on the source cadences shown above. Run an assessment to create a trip-specific briefing using your dates and traveler profile.
Baseline scope
- Category scores represent an analytical baseline, updated from official feeds and public records.
Coverage notes
- Transport-hub safety notes (airport, train stations).
Methodology · Full data-source registry · Report a correction
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Disclaimer
Travel Risk Calculator provides estimated travel-threat information for preparation purposes only. It does not replace official government advisories, medical advice, emergency alerts, immigration rules, insurance advice, police guidance, embassy information, or professional security consultation.