Yes, most people involved in Pakistan's tourism industry speak workable English, and it is an official language of the country alongside Urdu, so you will get by on English alone in cities, at hotels and with anyone involved in tourism. It gets patchier once you leave the main roads, in smaller towns and in the villages of the northern valleys, where a handful of Urdu words go a long way. This guide covers where English is reliable, where it isn't, and what to carry to cover the gaps.
Where English is reliable
English holds official status alongside Urdu under Pakistan's constitution, and it is the working language of government, the courts, higher education, business and most national media. In practice that means:
- Hotels, airports and tour operators across the country deal with foreign guests routinely and staff generally speak workable English.
- Educated, urban Pakistanis in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and other cities often speak English fluently, sometimes preferring it to Urdu for technical or business conversation.
- Road signs on major routes and menus in city restaurants are usually bilingual or English-only.
- Younger people generally, especially anyone who has been through secondary school in a city, have at least functional English.
If your trip is built around cities, mainstream tour operators and mid-range or better hotels, language is unlikely to be a real obstacle.
Where it thins out
English use drops away in three situations: rural areas generally, older generations, and casual daily interactions with drivers, shopkeepers and guesthouse staff outside the main tourist towns. In the Karakoram valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan, in Chitral, in Azad Kashmir's smaller villages and along much of the Karakoram Highway, day-to-day life runs in Urdu and in local languages such as Shina, Balti, Burushaski, Khowar and Pashto. Many people you meet there, including drivers and guesthouse owners, will have some English from dealing with tourists, but detailed conversation, and certainly written signage, often won't be in English at all.
Local languages vary from valley to valley more than most first-time visitors expect. A driver from Hunza and a porter from Chitral may not share a first language either, and Urdu is often the practical common ground between them, not English.
Useful Urdu phrases to know
You don't need fluency, just enough to be polite and to cover the basics:
| Situation | Urdu | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting | Assalam-o-Alaikum | Peace be upon you (hello) |
| Reply to greeting | Wa Alaikum Assalam | And peace upon you too |
| Thank you | Shukriya | Thank you |
| Yes / No | Haan / Nahi | Yes / No |
| How much? | Kitne ka hai? | How much does this cost? |
| Water | Paani | Water |
| Help | Madad | Help |
| Do you speak English? | Kya aap angrezi bolte hain? | Do you speak English? |
A polite "Assalam-o-Alaikum" before switching to English, even from someone who clearly speaks none of the language back, is noticed and appreciated. It's a small courtesy, not a requirement.
Apps and tools that help
- Google Translate, with the Urdu language pack downloaded for offline use before you head into the mountains, where signal is unreliable.
- Offline maps with place names in both scripts, since road signage switches between Urdu and English inconsistently outside the cities.
- A phrasebook or notes app with a handful of phrases for food, directions and prices, useful when your phone has no signal at all, which is common in parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral and the Neelum valley.
Travelling with a guide or driver
If your itinerary includes rural stretches, remote valleys or trekking areas, a guide or driver with good English is worth arranging in advance rather than assuming you'll manage. Most tour operators, including on our own Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab and Skardu and Deosai trips, provide English-speaking drivers and guides as standard, which removes the language question from the more remote parts of a trip. Our travel guide has more on planning a first trip through areas where infrastructure and language support both thin out.
Frequently asked questions
Is English widely spoken in Pakistan?
Yes, English is an official language and is used throughout government, education, business and tourism. It's reliable in cities and with anyone working in tourism, and much less common in rural areas and among older people outside the cities.
Can I travel in northern Pakistan without speaking Urdu?
Generally yes, if you're travelling with a tour operator, driver or guide, since most working in tourism speak functional English. Travelling entirely independently in remote valleys without any Urdu is harder, and a translation app is worth having.
What language do people speak in Gilgit-Baltistan and Hunza?
Local languages such as Shina, Balti and Burushaski are spoken day to day, with Urdu as the common second language across the region. English is spoken by many people who work with tourists, but not universally.
Do I need to learn Urdu before visiting Pakistan?
No, but a handful of phrases (a greeting, thank you, yes and no, and asking a price) are useful and appreciated, particularly outside the main cities and tourist hotels.
Are road signs and menus in English?
On major roads and in city restaurants, yes, often bilingual. In smaller towns and rural areas, signage is frequently in Urdu only.
