Mountain town in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Getting around Skardu
How to get around Skardu
Fly from Islamabad when weather allows, or face 18–24 hours by road. Locally hire jeeps with drivers for Deosai, Shigar and trailheads.
Ways to get around Skardu
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Jeep with driver | About PKR 15,000–35,000 per day | Required for Deosai and Shigar; agree route and price |
| Shared van or local taxi | About PKR 300–1,500 | Town and short intercity routes; limited after dusk |
| Overnight coach from Islamabad | About PKR 6,000–10,000 | 18–24 hours via the Karakoram Highway; landslide delays |
Taxis in Skardu
- No ride-hailing apps operate here. No ride apps. Arrange jeeps through hotels or trekking agents and confirm the price before leaving.
Arriving in Skardu
Skardu Airport (KDU)
PIA flights from Islamabad (about 1 h) depend on weather and often cancel; taxi to town about PKR 1,000–2,500, 15–25 min.
Driving and onward travel
- 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 Skardu?
No ride-hailing apps work here. No ride apps. Arrange jeeps through hotels or trekking agents and confirm the price before leaving.
What's the best way to get around Skardu?
Fly from Islamabad when weather allows, or face 18–24 hours by road. Locally hire jeeps with drivers for Deosai, Shigar and trailheads.
How do I get from the airport to Skardu?
PIA flights from Islamabad (about 1 h) depend on weather and often cancel; taxi to town about PKR 1,000–2,500, 15–25 min.
Is Skardu walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Skardu
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Sources
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 Spotted something out of date?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.