Thatta is 98 km east of Karachi on the National Highway N-5, the main road to Hyderabad and beyond. The drive from Karachi takes approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic leaving the city.
By road: Buses and coaches from Karachi's main bus terminals run to Thatta throughout the day. The journey on the N-5 passes through the edge of the Indus delta — flat, wide, with the river visible in the distance. Local vans (wagoens) also ply the route.
By car: The most flexible option. From Karachi, take the N-5 (also called the Super Highway in its first stretch) east toward Hyderabad. Thatta is well signposted. The Makli Necropolis and Shah Jahan Mosque are both visible from the road as you approach.
Most visitors come as a day trip from Karachi. An overnight stay is possible — Thatta has a few basic guesthouses — and allows a morning visit to the sites before the heat builds.