Is Lahore Safe in May 2026?

Auto-rickshaw drivers stationed near Lahore Fort and the Walled City routinely refuse to use the meter, quoting flat fares to tourists that are three to five times the legitimate rate. Drivers often claim the meter is broken or that a flat fare is standard practice for foreigners. Disagreements over the fare at the destination are common, sometimes escalating into pressure or intimidation to pay the inflated amount.

How to avoid: Agree on the fare explicitly before boarding and use the Careem or inDriver app for price-transparent rides whenever possible. If using a rickshaw, ask a local or hotel staff what the correct fare should be before negotiating with the driver.

Taxi drivers in Lahore routinely charge tourists far above local rates, often refusing to use the meter or claiming it is broken. Airport rides are the highest-risk — drivers may demand several times the fair fare from arriving passengers with luggage.

How to avoid: Use Careem or Uber for fixed transparent pricing. If using a street taxi, insist on the meter before moving or negotiate and confirm the exact total fare upfront. Ask your hotel staff for expected fare ranges before you travel anywhere.

Budget hotels and guest houses claim their online booking was not received and demand payment again at check-in. Staff insist the booking.com or hotel.com reservation is invalid despite confirmation emails. They may threaten to give your room to another guest if you do not pay a second time on the spot.

How to avoid: Print or screenshot your booking confirmation email and carry it with you. Show confirmation to hotel manager before check-in. Call hotel directly 24 hours before arrival to confirm reservation. Book with hotels that have direct booking options and verified payment processing.

Some Lahore exchange offices advertise a 1.5% commission rate to attract tourists, but use digitally rigged calculators that secretly apply a 20–25% commission. The display shows a favorable rate but the amount handed over is far less than it should be.

How to avoid: Calculate the expected exchange amount yourself on your phone before handing over any cash. Compare the exchange office rate against the current interbank rate. Use official banks (HBL, UBL, Meezan) for currency exchange — they charge regulated fees.

Sellers in Anarkali Bazaar and the surrounding lanes approach tourists with pieces they claim are antique Mughal-era silver or gemstone jewellery, often backed by convincing certificates of authenticity. The items are mass-produced costume jewellery sold at prices hundreds of times their actual value. Some sellers follow tourists from the bazaar entrance and build rapport before steering them into a back-room "private" showroom.

How to avoid: Treat any unsolicited offer of antique jewellery with scepticism and avoid purchasing valuables from street sellers or unregistered shops. If genuinely interested in antiques, visit a government-approved heritage craft shop and verify certification through the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation.