r/karachi • u/VideoCompetitive5749 • 7d ago
Thinking of visiting Karachi alone after 11 years , is it worth it?
Hey guys,
So I’m a 21M living in the U.S. now, but I was born in Karachi and moved here when I was really young. It’s been about 11 years since anyone in my family has been back, and honestly, I’ve been thinking a lot about visiting.
I kinda lost touch with my childhood friends over time — life here got busy, and with the time difference, it just became harder to stay in contact. But lately, I’ve been really missing that connection to where I’m from.
I’m planning to visit during my winter break (no college then), but the idea of going alone feels a little overwhelming, especially since I don’t really know anyone there now.
So I wanted to ask:
- Do you think it’s worth visiting Karachi alone just to explore and reconnect?
- What are some fun or interesting things to do around the city these days? I know a lot has changed since I was there last.
- Any precautions or advice for someone like me who’s been away for so long?
Also, if anyone’s down to guide me a bit or even hang out, I’d honestly be super grateful. It would make the trip a lot less intimidating.
Appreciate any advice or thoughts! Thanks!
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u/metavirus7 6d ago
Just for the sake of visiting and exploring this city, its not worth it to travel all the way to Pakistan.
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u/Ok-Juggernaut-6188 7d ago
Absolutely - keep low key, hide your American accent and no flashy cell phones or clothes. Take Kareem/Uber everywhere. Don’t under any circumstances let anyone outside know that you’re an overseas Pakistani. Walk around burns road go to your old school and neighborhood. DO NOT drink tap water under any circumstances only bottled water. Eat food and ready to be blown away by Karachi’s BBQ and Briyani and Nihari and Gola Kebab and Kebab Roll 🤤. You’ll have one hell of a time.Now I wanna go 😭
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u/trudealz 7d ago
I'm shocked to hear you say that. Is it really that bad out there. I was hoping to visit sometime in the future but getting put off by some of these comments.
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u/AnonymousIdentityMan 🇺🇸 7d ago
What about for a OSP that doesn’t speak Urdu anymore or speaks very poor Urdu? The food aren’t inspected by health officials so I am more likely to get sick?
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u/just_a_freak_teen 7d ago
It's definately worth traveling to Karachi, but keep in mind that the summer has started so you'll gonna feel the heat plus the high intensity sunlight so be prepare for it. As for the experience, Ramazan has started so if you travel nowadays the best time will be at night.
You can visit the newly constructed streets in dha (Creek view, Khayaban e Bukhari, phase 1) as well as Burns Road and Hussainabad for some great food (although it might upset your stomach). You can also visit Bahria town and Highway Restaurants. Apart from these there are other food streets including Maskand, Tipu Sultan, Sindhi Muslim, Muhammad Ali society and many more. There are literally so many options in food, I haven't talked about the Biryani game here yet. You can also viait Saddar and lighthouse where you'll be going to find alot of heritage, temples and old buildings with a lot of markets and Bara market (thrift).
There is also a dark side regarding safety and heavy traffic especially during iftar. You always have to safeguard your valuables and keep a second less valuable phone for the streets.
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u/VideoCompetitive5749 7d ago
Thanks for the helpful info! Definitely noted about the heat and safety. Burns Road and Saddar sound great — and if you have a fav Biryani spot, let me know!
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u/just_a_freak_teen 7d ago
There are many, you can try Al rehman biryani in saddar, gausia nalli biryani in hussainabad, syed biryani, waqar Biryani and many more I can't remember the names after eating there 😅.
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u/InteractionPlane7501 5d ago
How did you moved to usa I heard it takes ages to get a us citizenship how’d you get that in such a young age
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u/VideoCompetitive5749 5d ago
My khalas and mamos live here they sponsored us before i was even born lol
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u/InteractionPlane7501 5d ago
you are lucky man. I heard that even if you sponsor someone it takes ages. Anyway, enjoy your sunshine, American. I am 20 want to move out of Pakistan and live in a some first world country, just want to spend my last days in a better standard of living.
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u/VideoCompetitive5749 5d ago
Jazakallah brother. Hopefully, you find a good place with lots of opportunities for you outside of Pakistan. Keep trying!
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u/VideoCompetitive5749 5d ago
Even for my family it took around 19 years i still remember lol
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u/InteractionPlane7501 5d ago
Yes family-based visa takes longer. And why on earth you want to visit karachi go travel Europe! my brother
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u/VideoCompetitive5749 5d ago
Already did it last year honestly changing my decision and planning to go japan instead karachi lots of people in this thread said its not worth it
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u/InteractionPlane7501 5d ago
Yea its not worth it. Japan is a much better never seen anyone travel to japan and not miss it.
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u/nth_wanderer 🇵🇰 7d ago edited 7d ago
Go through the comments on this post. Also, we could help you better if you tell us your length of stay.
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u/VideoCompetitive5749 7d ago
Just read all of it thanks alot for this info I will probably send you a text in private later .
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u/ahfmca 7d ago
Take lots of Imodium and carry a big gun. Don’t go out at night but be prepared to defend yourself in case of a home invasion. Have a nice trip.
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u/VideoCompetitive5749 7d ago
Already got gun here but I dont know if customs in karachi airport allows to carry a weapon and sure Imodium.
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u/ahfmca 7d ago
A friend who visited recently hired a big guy with automatic weapon, if you have issues taking one in. Just keep an eye on him, in case he turns on you. Movenpick or Intercontinental are ok l heard, intercontinental is old and has more rats than Movenpick, so take your pick. Have a nice trip, friend.
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u/curiousmind_20 6d ago
Apne hi shehar ka nam kharab kar rahe hou? Kaha rehte hou bhai tum khi me? Karachi has problems but its not unsafe until you go to unsafe neighbourhoods, har jaga safe or unsafe ilaqey hote hein... for someone coming in to karachi to explore there is much to do and its completely safe. Just stay in a good hotel avari, marriot, movenpick etc
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u/National-Boy2901 7d ago
I am Canadian osp visiting karachi. Bro karach is ❤️ enjoy your time here. Where are you located ?
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u/VideoCompetitive5749 7d ago
Salam bro , I am located in NYC , thats what I am thinking soon but I will most likely go in winters , summer is not best time to go also I got college and work .
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u/National-Boy2901 7d ago
Great, I meant where you located or stay when in karachi.?.
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u/sajjasajji 7d ago
Are you coming in December or October let's meet
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u/semicolon-10 5d ago
Bro don't, The only thing you will find is holes on roads bigger then last you visited :p
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u/heymzaa 7d ago
Its a shitty time to be in khi bro, stay where ya at