Home / Blog / Skardu

Islamabad to Skardu by Road: Route & Time

Q: How far is Skardu from Islamabad by road?

It's roughly **600+ km** and **18–22 hours of driving**, almost always split over **1.5–2 days** with an overnight stop at **Chilas**. The mountain roads are slow, so don't judge it by distance alone.

Q: What is the best route from Islamabad to Skardu?

Two options: the **Karakoram Highway** via Hazara Motorway, Besham, Dassu and **Chilas** (open year-round), or the scenic **Naran–Babusar Top** road in summer, which rejoins the KKH near Chilas. From Chilas it's the same road on to Skardu.

Q: Should I fly or drive to Skardu?

**Fly** if you're short on time — the flight from Islamabad is about an hour, but it's **weather-dependent** and can be cancelled. **Drive** if you want the Karakoram Highway, Nanga Parbat viewpoints and the journey itself. Many travellers fly one way and drive the other.

Q: Is the road to Skardu safe?

The main routes are **regularly travelled** and generally fine, but they're long mountain roads with landslide-prone sections, so travel by day, use an experienced driver, and allow buffer time for weather and road works.

Weekend VikingsJuly 2, 20262 min read

In short

Skardu is roughly 600+ km and 18–22 hours' driving from Islamabad, usually split over 1.5–2 days with an overnight at Chilas. Two routes: the year-round Karakoram Highway via Besham/Chilas, or the scenic summer-only Naran–Babusar road. Flying takes about an hour but depends on mountain weather.

Getting to Skardu overland is a proper Karakoram road trip — long, slow and spectacular. Here's exactly how the drive from Islamabad works: the routes, the distance and time, the best stops, and when it's smarter to fly.

How far is Skardu from Islamabad?

By road it's roughly 600+ kilometres and 18–22 hours of actual driving — but because these are mountain roads, it's almost always done over 1.5 to 2 days, with an overnight at Chilas. Trying to do it in one push is exhausting and not recommended.

The two routes

1. Karakoram Highway (year-round)

The standard route: Islamabad → Hazara Motorway → Mansehra → Besham → Dassu → Chilas → Skardu. This follows the Karakoram Highway (KKH) most of the way and stays open through the year (weather permitting). It passes the Nanga Parbat viewpoint near Chilas and the Indus gorges.

2. Naran–Babusar road (summer only)

The scenic shortcut in summer: Islamabad → Naran → Babusar Top → Chilas, then the same road on to Skardu. The Babusar Pass (~4,170 m) is stunning but only open roughly July–September, and closes with snow the rest of the year.

Both routes converge at Chilas, after which it's the same road into Baltistan and Skardu.

Suggested itinerary

Day 1: Islamabad to Chilas (via KKH or Naran–Babusar in summer) — a long day; overnight in Chilas.
Day 2: Chilas to Skardu — around 7–8 hours along the Indus, arriving in the afternoon.

On the way you can break at Naran, take in the Nanga Parbat viewpoint, and stop for the Indus–Gilgit river junction. See the stays we use at Chilas, Naran and Skardu.

Fly or drive?

Fly (Islamabad–Skardu, ~1 hour) if you want to save two days and maximise time on the ground — but flights are weather-dependent and cancellations happen.
Drive if the Karakoram Highway itself is part of the appeal.
Best of both: many travellers drive up and fly back (or vice-versa).

Tips for the drive

Travel by day — the mountain roads aren't for night driving.
Use an experienced local driver who knows the KKH.
Keep buffer time for landslides, road works and weather.
Carry snacks, water, cash and motion-sickness tablets for the switchbacks.

Let us handle the logistics

Our Skardu trips run this route with experienced KKH drivers and pre-booked stops — see the Skardu & Deosai tour, the Hunza & Skardu circuit, or the 6-day Skardu honeymoon by road. Contact us and we'll plan the drive (or the fly-in) around you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Skardu from Islamabad by road?

It's roughly 600+ km and 18–22 hours of driving, almost always split over 1.5–2 days with an overnight stop at Chilas. The mountain roads are slow, so don't judge it by distance alone.

What is the best route from Islamabad to Skardu?

Two options: the Karakoram Highway via Hazara Motorway, Besham, Dassu and Chilas (open year-round), or the scenic Naran–Babusar Top road in summer, which rejoins the KKH near Chilas. From Chilas it's the same road on to Skardu.

Should I fly or drive to Skardu?

Fly if you're short on time — the flight from Islamabad is about an hour, but it's weather-dependent and can be cancelled. Drive if you want the Karakoram Highway, Nanga Parbat viewpoints and the journey itself. Many travellers fly one way and drive the other.

Is the road to Skardu safe?

The main routes are regularly travelled and generally fine, but they're long mountain roads with landslide-prone sections, so travel by day, use an experienced driver, and allow buffer time for weather and road works.