Bacha Khan International Airport (IATA: PEW) is Peshawar's airport, on the south-western side of the city, and it is only a short drive from the centre, usually 15 to 30 minutes. It is the fourth-busiest airport in Pakistan and handles domestic flights and a set of Gulf routes. This guide covers the airlines, the arrivals routine and how to get into the city, and it starts with the safety point that most affects whether you should fly here at all.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Airport | Bacha Khan International Airport, code PEW (ICAO OPPS) |
| Operator | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Location | South-western Peshawar, about 4.4 km from Peshawar railway station |
| To the city | About 15 to 30 minutes by road, depending on traffic |
| Airlines listed | PIA, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Air Arabia, Saudia and others |
| Islamabad airport | About 180 km away, roughly 2 hours by the M-1 |
Is it safe to fly into Peshawar?
Check current advice first. The UK government's Pakistan travel advice (updated 22 September 2026) advises against all travel to Peshawar, and its list of districts to avoid around the city is long. Attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2026 include Kohat Police Lines on 18 September, which killed 23 people, and Bannu in May.
Pakistani travellers fly in and out of Peshawar every day, and the airport itself operates normally. What we would suggest is to keep the trip simple: arrive in daylight, have your transport and first night arranged, and check local news before you go. Overseas visitors should read their own government's advice, because it can affect travel insurance. If you are heading to the northern mountains, the airports at Islamabad or Skardu and Gilgit may suit better; our guide to the best airport for northern Pakistan compares them.
Which airlines fly to Peshawar?
The airport's own site names Qatar Airways, PIA, Air Arabia, Etihad and Saudia among the airlines that use it. A flight-tracker listing for 21 August 2026 showed Etihad to Abu Dhabi, Emirates to Dubai, PIA to Doha and Abu Dhabi, and Air Arabia to Sharjah. Domestic services to Karachi are also listed.
Schedules change with the season, so book through the airline and check the flight status on the day. The airport site carries live arrival and departure boards.
What is the terminal like?
The terminal was rebuilt between 2016 and 2018 and has two air bridges. Reports describe it as small, with international and domestic passengers using the same building, which keeps walking distances short.
The airport site lists prayer rooms, ATMs, bank and currency exchange counters, restaurants, a shopping arcade, free wi-fi, domestic and international lounges, and a medical service. A 2020 guide listed porter charges of PKR 200 for domestic and PKR 400 for international arrivals, but that is an old figure, so agree the fee first.
What happens on arrival?
Immigration and customs follow the standard Pakistani routine. Guides describe the queue as short at this airport, and a wait of ten to twenty minutes at the baggage belt is typical. Have your passport and visa ready if you are on an international flight.
Mobile SIM counters and ATMs are in the terminal area, but do not rely on a single machine: draw enough cash to cover the first day. A SIM needs your passport or CNIC, so keep it in your hand luggage.
How do you get from the airport to the city?
- Ride-hailing apps. Careem and Uber both operate in Peshawar, and an app shows the fare before you book. This is the easiest option for a first-time visitor.
- Airport taxi counter. Agree the fare to your hotel before you get in. Published guides suggest short rides to Saddar or University Town cost a few hundred rupees, but we could not confirm a current tariff, so treat any figure as a rough guide.
- Daewoo shuttle. A 2020 guide mentioned a Daewoo airport shuttle, so ask at the terminal whether it still runs.
- A car from your hotel. For a family or a group with luggage, this is the least stressful way to leave the airport.
If your hotel is in University Town or Hayatabad it is close, and Saddar and the old city are a little further. Traffic is heaviest in the early evening.
Onward travel from Peshawar
The Hazara Motorway to Abbottabad is a motorway drive of about three hours; see Peshawar to Abbottabad. For the rail station, see Peshawar railway station, and for the city's bus network, the Peshawar BRT guide. If you are planning a day in the city, our Peshawar one-day itinerary can help. Swat and Dir are further north and need particular care at present; see our Swat Valley guide.
Should you fly to Peshawar or Islamabad?
For Peshawar itself, fly here. The airport is close to the city, the terminal is compact and arrival is quick. For the northern valleys, flying to Islamabad and driving usually gives you more flight choices, and the motorway carries you about 180 km to Peshawar in around two hours if you need it. Our Islamabad airport guide covers that end.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Peshawar airport from the city?
It is on the south-western side of Peshawar, about 4.4 km from the railway station, and a drive to most central areas takes about 15 to 30 minutes.
Which airlines fly to Peshawar?
PIA, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Air Arabia and Saudia are among the airlines listed by the airport. Check current schedules with the airline.
Are there taxis and Uber at Peshawar airport?
Yes. Careem and Uber both operate in Peshawar, and there is a taxi counter at the terminal. Agree the fare before you start if you use a taxi.
Is Peshawar airport international?
Yes. Bacha Khan International Airport has flights to Gulf cities including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Doha, as well as domestic flights.
How far is Peshawar airport from Islamabad airport?
About 180 km by the M-1 motorway, roughly two hours.
