Islamabad International Airport (ISB): Paid Access Lounge Guide

Islamabad International Airport (ISB) opened only in 2018, but it already outranks every other airport in the country: in the 2024-25 fiscal year, it overtook Karachi's Jinnah International as Pakistan's busiest airport by passenger traffic. It also serves as a secondary hub for Pakistan International Airlines.

The airport runs from a single Y-shaped terminal that handles domestic and international flights under one roof. Inside, you'll find 15 gates, 10 remote gates, a food court, and duty-free shopping. Domestic and international departures sit in separate, secured areas of the building, and each side has its own paid-access lounge.

ISB has 2 lounges that travelers can access without airline status or a premium cabin ticket: 1 for domestic departures and 1 for international departures. This guide covers both, including how to buy access, what's inside, and how to find them.

ISB's single terminal is organized across 2 levels, so once you know which floor to head for, getting around is straightforward. The upper floor (Level 2) is the departure zone, with check-in counters, security checkpoints, and boarding gates. The lower floor (Level 1) is the arrival zone, with immigration counters, baggage claim, and customs.

One thing worth knowing before you arrive: domestic and international departures are completely separate once you're past security, so there's no walking between them. In practice, that means your flight type decides which lounge you can use, not which gate you're departing from.

The CIP Lounge is the only paid-access lounge for domestic departures at Islamabad International Airport. It offers a quieter alternative to the gate seating areas, with a self-serve spread of halal food and snacks.

The lounge is straightforward and functional rather than a design showpiece, but it covers the basics travelers look for on a short domestic connection: a prayer room, Wi-Fi, and wheelchair access.

Airside, Domestic Departures, opposite Gates C3 and C4, after the security checkpoint.

24 hours daily

Maximum 2-hour stay

• Halal food, including hot dishes and sandwiches

• Snacks

• Non-alcoholic beverages (alcohol is not served, in line with Pakistan's dry-country laws)

• Wi-Fi

• Prayer room

• Wheelchair accessible

• Flexible Day Pass:

• Memberships: Priority Pass and Dragonpass members can use the CIP Lounge in line with their membership benefits. Complimentary guest entitlements depend on your plan.

• Cardholders: Access is available with cards offering Dragonpass, LoungeKey, and Priority Pass memberships, including:

  • Dragonpass via Visa Airport Companion (Visa Platinum/Infinite/Signature)

  • LoungeKey via eligible Mastercards

  • Mastercard Travel Pass

  • Priority Pass‑linked cards like American Express Platinum and Diners Club

• Walk-Up Access: Passengers can pay at the door (subject to availability).

Children under 2 years are admitted free of charge.

The Prestigio International Lounge is the only paid-access lounge for international departures at Islamabad International Airport.

The space was designed by an Italian design firm and centers on a hot buffet. It offers a quieter place to wait before boarding, with comfortable seating across 3 different zones.

(It was previously known as the Airline Lounge or CIP Lounge, so it may still appear under either name with some membership programs.)

Airside, International Departures, upstairs next to the stairs in the main departure area, after immigration and the security checkpoint.

24 hours daily

Maximum 3-hour stay

• Buffet with hot and cold food

• Non-alcoholic beverages (alcohol is not served, in line with Pakistan's dry-country laws)

• Wi-Fi

• Prayer room

• Smoking room

• Wheelchair accessible

• Flexible Day Pass:

• Memberships: Priority Pass and Dragonpass members can use the Prestigio International Lounge in line with their membership benefits. Complimentary guest entitlements depend on your plan.

• Cardholders: Access is available with cards offering Dragonpass, LoungeKey, and Priority Pass memberships, including:

  • Dragonpass via Visa Airport Companion (Visa Platinum/Infinite/Signature)

  • LoungeKey via eligible Mastercards

  • Mastercard Travel Pass

  • Priority Pass‑linked cards like American Express Platinum and Diners Club

• Walk-Up Access: Passengers can pay US$20 at the door (subject to availability).

Children under 2 years are admitted free of charge.

• For a quieter spot, use the modern seating section across the hall from the buffet — the area nearest the buffet tends to get busier at mealtimes.

• Alcohol is not served anywhere in the lounge, so plan accordingly if that matters to your layover.

Islamabad International Airport has 2 paid-access lounges: 1 for domestic departures and 1 for international departures. Because the airport uses a single terminal with separated departure areas, the lounge available to you is decided by your flight type rather than your terminal or gate.

The CIP Lounge covers domestic departures, with a straightforward mix of halal food, snacks, and a prayer room. The Prestigio International Lounge, the only option for international departures, offers a hot buffet and more seating across 3 connected areas.

Both lounges are open 24 hours daily and accept Priority Pass and Dragonpass, as well as LoungePair passes and walk-up payment at the door. There is no single 'best' lounge, since domestic and international passengers cannot use the same one, but both are a reasonable upgrade over waiting at the gate.