Coming home to Lahore after months or years abroad is exciting, but getting around the city is often the first headache. Relatives are busy, ride apps do not suit a family with six suitcases, and borrowing someone's car for three weeks is never comfortable. Renting your own car gives you freedom from the moment you land.

This guide is written for overseas Pakistanis visiting family and for foreign visitors coming to Lahore for business, weddings or tourism. It explains the difference between self drive and a car with driver, the documents you need, our current rates and how to arrange an airport pickup before you even board your flight.

Self Drive or With Driver: Which Suits Your Visit?

1 Call Cabs offers both self drive rent a car in Lahore and rent a car with driver in Lahore. The right choice depends on how long you are staying, how confident you feel on local roads and who is travelling with you.

When a car with driver makes more sense

• You are only in Lahore for a few days, or your plans change daily.

• You have not driven in Pakistan for a long time, or never have.

• You are travelling with elderly parents or young children and want someone to handle parking and traffic.

• You have weddings, dinners and family visits back to back and do not want to look for parking in busy areas like Liberty, Anarkali or the Walled City.

When self drive works well

• You are staying at least 5 days, which is our minimum self drive period.

• You are comfortable with Lahore traffic, motorbikes and rickshaws, and right-hand drive.

• You want privacy and a car that is ready whenever you are, without fixed duty hours.

Many visitors combine the two: a driver for the airport pickup and the busy wedding days, and a self drive car once they have settled in.

Documents You Need to Rent a Car in Lahore

One of the most common questions we get is what you need to rent a car in Pakistan when you live abroad. Here is how it works with 1 Call Cabs under our current terms and conditions.

Overseas Pakistanis

• A valid driving licence for self drive, plus your CNIC or NICOP.

• Your original passport, which is deposited with us for verification and returned when the car comes back safely.

• You may also be asked to show a valid visa and return ticket, or your PR card, for the country where you live.

Foreign nationals

• Your original passport, deposited for verification and security, and returned on safe return of the vehicle.

• For self drive, a valid driving licence. Pakistani traffic officials have publicly stated that visitors driving on a foreign licence should carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) together with their home licence, so arrange an IDP in your home country before you travel.

Bookings with a driver

If you book a car with a driver, you do not need a driving licence at all. A valid ID is usually enough, although we may ask for additional ID at pickup. This is why many foreign guests simply choose a chauffeur-driven car.

Self Drive Rules to Know Before You Land

Self drive rentals come with a few conditions that are worth understanding before you plan your trip around them:

• Minimum rental: 5 days.

• Payment: you can reserve the car with a 20% advance, and the full rent must be paid before the vehicle is handed over.

• Security cheque: a valid security cheque is required and is returned once all dues are cleared.

• Residence: the client should own a house, or provide a valid rental agreement and a guarantor who owns a permanent residence. If you are staying with family, ask us whether the relative who owns the home can stand as your guarantor.

• Mileage: running is capped at 150 km per day, and extra usage is charged as agreed.

• Running costs: fuel, tolls, parking and traffic fines are paid by the client during the rental.

Our FAQs page also covers fuel, deposits and breakdown support in more detail. If anything is unclear, ask us before you fly so there are no surprises at handover.

Airport Pickup at Allama Iqbal International Airport

After a long flight, the last thing you want is to bargain with taxi drivers outside arrivals. You can pre-book an airport transfer from Allama Iqbal International Airport so a driver is waiting when you come out. See our Lahore airport service area page for pickup details.

When you book, send us:

• Your flight number and arrival time

• Number of passengers and suitcases

• Your drop-off address in Lahore, or another city if you are travelling on

For families with heavy luggage, choose a 7-seater or a van rather than a sedan. Overseas families often bring more bags than they expect, especially with gifts.

Car Rental Rates in Lahore for Visitors

These are the starting daily rates currently listed on our fleet page. Final quotes depend on the rental period, self drive or with driver, route and availability, so always confirm before booking.

Staying for a month or longer, for example over a long summer break? Our monthly car rental in Lahore usually works out better than paying day by day.

Which Car Should You Choose?

• Couples and solo travellers: the Toyota Corolla GLI, Honda City or Toyota Yaris are comfortable, automatic and easy to park.

• Families of five to seven: the Honda BRV keeps everyone in one car. Our guide to family-friendly 7 seater rentals in Lahore compares more options.

• Large families and airport runs with lots of luggage: the Kia Carnival or Hiace Grand Cabin, both with driver.

• Weddings and special events: Prado, Landcruiser V8 or Civic for the family, and see our wedding car rental in Lahore service for baraat and valima days.

What a Car With Driver Costs Beyond the Daily Rate

If you book with a driver, keep these points in mind so your budget is realistic:

• Driver food and residence: the client provides the driver's meals and, on overnight trips, accommodation. If you do not provide them, a charge of PKR 2,000 per day applies.

• Duty hours: the driver works up to 10 hours per day unless something else is agreed in advance.

• Running costs: fuel, tolls and parking are client expenses unless your quote says otherwise. Ask what is included when we share the quote.

• Out of city trips: outstation travel on daily bookings carries extra charges, agreed at the time of booking.

Planning Trips Outside Lahore

Many visitors use their time in Pakistan to see more than one city: visiting relatives in Islamabad or Sialkot, or taking the family to Murree or the northern areas. Our outstation car rental service covers routes across Pakistan with a driver who knows the roads. Share your full plan, number of days and passengers, and we will suggest the right car.

Tips for Booking From Abroad

1. Book early. Cars go quickly around Eid holidays and the winter wedding season, when many overseas families are home at the same time.

2. Send your full plan. Dates, arrival time, number of passengers, bags and any trips out of Lahore help us quote accurately.

3. Keep documents ready. Carry your original passport, licence, IDP if you are a foreign national, and NICOP or CNIC.

4. Inspect the car at handover. Check the condition with our team and note any existing marks before you drive off.

5. Save our number. Our support line is available 24/7 if anything comes up during your stay.

Book Your Car With 1 Call Cabs

Whether you need a driver waiting at the airport or a self drive car for your whole stay, we can arrange it before you leave home. Choose your vehicle on the book a car page, call or WhatsApp us on +92 303 0160840, or send your travel details through our contact page. We will confirm availability and a clear quote before you fly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can overseas Pakistanis rent a self drive car in Lahore?

Yes. You will need a valid driving licence, your CNIC or NICOP, and your original passport, which is deposited and returned at the end of the rental. You may also be asked for your visa and return ticket or PR card. The minimum self drive period is 5 days and a security cheque is required.

Can a foreigner rent a car in Lahore?

Yes. Foreign nationals can book a car with driver using a valid ID such as a passport. For self drive, the original passport is deposited with us, and you should carry your home licence together with an International Driving Permit.

Do I need a driving licence if I rent a car with driver?

No. With a chauffeur-driven booking our driver does the driving, so you only need a valid ID. We may ask for extra identification at pickup.

Can you pick me up from Lahore airport?

Yes. We arrange pickups and drops at Allama Iqbal International Airport. Share your flight number, arrival time, passengers and luggage when you book so the right vehicle is waiting.

Who pays for the driver's food and stay?

The client provides the driver's meals and, on overnight trips, accommodation. If you prefer not to arrange these, a charge of PKR 2,000 per day applies.