Mountain town in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Getting around Gilgit
How to get around Gilgit
Local rides use shared Suzuki vans and taxis; most visitors hire a jeep and driver for Hunza, Naltar or Fairy Meadows. Long-distance travel is by bus or flights that often get cancelled.
Ways to get around Gilgit
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Shared van / Hiace | PKR 200–900 to nearby towns | Hunza and Skardu routes run daily; leave when full |
| Hired jeep and driver | PKR 12,000–25,000 a day | Needed for Naltar, Fairy Meadows and side valleys |
| NATCO / Faisal Movers bus to Islamabad | Check with operator | Overnight on the KKH; a very long journey |
| PIA flight to Islamabad | From about PKR 18,000 one way | About 1 hour 15 minutes; often cancelled in poor weather |
Taxis in Gilgit
- No ride-hailing apps operate here. No dependable ride apps. Use taxis from hotels or hired drivers; agree the full fare, including waiting time, before leaving.
Arriving in Gilgit
Gilgit Airport (GIL)
About 10 km from the centre. Taxi PKR 800–1,500, about 20 minutes. Flights from Islamabad are weather-dependent and frequently cancelled.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Motorbikes are used locally but visitors rarely rent them; mountain roads are dangerous. Foreign licence rules are unclear.
- Driving: on the left. IDP with home licence accepted; most visitors hire a car with driver, especially on the Karakoram Highway.
- Onward travel in Pakistan: Daewoo Express and Faisal Movers coaches run comfortably on motorways; trains are cheap but slow. Flights to Gilgit and Skardu save long Karakoram Highway drives but cancel in bad weather.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Gilgit?
No ride-hailing apps work here. No dependable ride apps. Use taxis from hotels or hired drivers; agree the full fare, including waiting time, before leaving.
What's the best way to get around Gilgit?
Local rides use shared Suzuki vans and taxis; most visitors hire a jeep and driver for Hunza, Naltar or Fairy Meadows. Long-distance travel is by bus or flights that often get cancelled.
How do I get from the airport to Gilgit?
About 10 km from the centre. Taxi PKR 800–1,500, about 20 minutes. Flights from Islamabad are weather-dependent and frequently cancelled.
Is Gilgit walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Gilgit
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Sources
- Pakistan Railways
- Daewoo Express
- UK FCDO travel advice: Pakistan regional risks
- Aga Khan Development Network: Gilgit-Baltistan health facilities
- Zong: 4G in Gilgit-Baltistan
- National Highway Authority (KKH)
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.