The main museums in Karachi are the National Museum of Pakistan for the Indus Valley collection, Mohatta Palace for art and architecture, Quaid-e-Azam House for Jinnah's life, and the PAF and Maritime museums for aircraft, a submarine and children's outings. Most are cheap to enter, but closed days differ: Mohatta Palace is shut on Mondays and Quaid-e-Azam House on Wednesdays. Ticket figures below come from recent listings and older guides that do not always agree, so treat them as a guide and pay the price posted at the counter.
This page compares them so you can choose. Where we have a full guide, we link to it.
| Museum | Area | Hours (published) | Closed | Ticket (published) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Museum of Pakistan | Saddar | 9 am to 5 pm | Reported open daily | About PKR 20 |
| Mohatta Palace Museum | Clifton | 11 am to 6 pm | Monday | About PKR 30 for adults |
| Quaid-e-Azam House Museum | Shahrah-e-Faisal | 9 am to 5 pm | Wednesday | About PKR 20 for adults; higher for foreigners |
| PAF Museum | Shahrah-e-Faisal | 9 am to 5 pm | Reported open daily | PKR 50 to 150, sources differ |
| Pakistan Maritime Museum | Karsaz Road | 9 am to 10 or 11 pm | Reported open daily | About PKR 60 plus separate charges for the submarine, ship and aircraft |
National Museum of Pakistan
Why go: it holds the best collection in the city of Indus Valley objects, including material from Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, with Gandhara sculpture, a large coin collection and a gallery of Quranic manuscripts. It sits on Strachan Road in Saddar, so it fits beside Frere Hall and Empress Market.
Tip: a 2020 guide gave the ticket at PKR 20 and hours of 9 am to 5 pm, seven days a week. If you plan to visit Mohenjo-daro, go here first. See our National Museum guide and our page on getting to Mohenjo-daro from Karachi.
Mohatta Palace Museum
Why go: the building is a palace in Clifton, and the museum shows Pakistani fine and decorative arts. It suits a slower visit than the aircraft and submarine museums.
Tip: the museum's address is 7 Hatim Alvi Road, and it is open Tuesday to Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm. It is closed on Mondays and on some public holidays, and hours change in Ramazan, so call before you go on those days. Listings give adult entry at about PKR 30, with concessions for children and seniors.
Quaid-e-Azam House Museum
Why go: it is the house where Muhammad Ali Jinnah lived, kept with his furniture and personal belongings, and it gives a sense of how he lived.
Tip: the Sindh culture department lists it as open Thursday to Tuesday from 9 am to 5 pm, closed on Wednesday. Published adult tickets are about PKR 20, with a much higher rate for foreign visitors. Our Quaid-e-Azam House guide has more.
PAF Museum
Why go: it has more than 50 aircraft, radars and missiles in a park, including an aircraft once used by Jinnah, and children can go on rides. It opened in 1990 on Shahrah-e-Faisal near Karsaz.
Tip: ticket prices are the least clear of the group. One 2026 listing gives PKR 150 for adults and PKR 50 for children and students, another gives PKR 50 and PKR 30. Bring extra cash and pay what is posted. Read our PAF Museum guide for what to see.
Pakistan Maritime Museum
Why go: it is built around PNS Hangor, a decommissioned Daphne-class submarine you can go inside, plus the minesweeper PNS Mujahid, a Breguet Atlantic aircraft and a helicopter. Some people search for it as the Pakistan Navy Museum, but this is the Navy's museum. It opened in 1997 near PNS Karsaz.
Tip: the Navy's site lists it as open every day, from 9 am to 10 pm on weekdays and to 11 pm on weekends, so it is the best choice for an evening. A published price is PKR 60 per person with PKR 20 extra each for the submarine, ship and aircraft. See our Maritime Museum guide.
Which museum suits you?
- History and archaeology: National Museum.
- A quiet hour with art and architecture: Mohatta Palace.
- Pakistan's founder: Quaid-e-Azam House.
- Children and aircraft: PAF Museum.
- A submarine and an evening visit: Maritime Museum.
If you have one afternoon, pair the PAF Museum with the Maritime Museum, since both are near Karsaz. If you have a day for history, combine the National Museum with a walk around Saddar, covered in our Karachi heritage walk.
Practical tips
- Carry small notes. Ticket counters run on cash, and prices vary by visitor type.
- Check the day. Wednesday and Monday closures catch visitors out.
- Avoid midday heat in the outdoor aircraft parks. Our Karachi weather by month helps with timing.
- Plan the whole day using our two-day Karachi itinerary and our experiences page.
Frequently asked questions
Which museum is best in Karachi?
The National Museum of Pakistan has the strongest collection, while the PAF and Maritime museums are better for children.
Which Karachi museums are closed on Monday?
Mohatta Palace Museum. Quaid-e-Azam House is closed on Wednesday, and the others listed here are reported open every day.
How much are tickets for museums in Karachi?
Most cost between about PKR 20 and 150 per adult, with the Maritime Museum adding extra charges for the submarine, ship and aircraft. Prices differ by source, so confirm locally.
Is the Pakistan Navy Museum the same as the Maritime Museum?
Yes. The Navy runs the Pakistan Maritime Museum near Karsaz, and that is the museum people usually mean.
Which Karachi museum is open in the evening?
The Maritime Museum, which is listed as open until 10 pm on weekdays and 11 pm on weekends.
