A bike trip to the Northern Areas costs most riders roughly PKR 25,000 to 45,000 for a week on their own motorcycle from Islamabad, once fuel, rooms, food and a repair or two are added up. Fuel and servicing are cheap next to a car trip; the real cost is time, gear and the contingency fund you should carry for a breakdown or a bad-weather day.
This breaks the budget into its parts: fuel, servicing, gear, stays and the reserve to keep aside.
| Bike trip to Hunza, per rider (2026) | Rough figure |
|---|---|
| Distance, Islamabad to Khunjerab and back | Roughly 1,700–1,800 km |
| Fuel for the round trip, 125cc–150cc | About PKR 13,000–20,000 |
| A basic certified helmet | From about PKR 5,000–7,500 |
| Budget room, per night | About PKR 1,500–2,500 |
| Bike rental (if not using your own) | About PKR 3,000–5,000 a day |
| Contingency to keep aside | At least PKR 5,000–10,000 |
Fuel: the biggest single cost
Petrol was priced at around PKR 390 a litre in September 2026 under Pakistan's daily pricing system, and it moves often, so check the current PSO price list before you budget. A 125cc bike like the Honda CG125 averages about 40 km to the litre on flat roads; a 150cc averages nearer 33 to 35. Mountain roads, a loaded bike and altitude cut that noticeably, so plan on 10 to 20 percent worse than the manufacturer's figure once you're past Chilas.
For a round trip from Islamabad to Khunjerab and back, around 1,700 to 1,800 km, that works out to roughly 45 to 55 litres on a 125cc bike, or PKR 17,500 to 21,500 at September 2026 prices. A 150cc bike burns more, closer to PKR 20,000 to 24,000 for the same route.
Servicing and running costs on the road
A single oil change on a locally produced 125cc or 150cc bike costs roughly PKR 900 to 1,350 for the oil alone, more with a filter and general check, going by 2026 published running-cost figures for Pakistan's most common models. A week-long trip on rough roads is a sensible point to get the chain, brakes and tyres checked once, in Gilgit or Karimabad rather than waiting until you're back home. Budget PKR 2,000 to 3,500 for that stop, plus whatever parts it turns up.
Have the bike properly serviced before you leave, not after you arrive. A worn chain or thin brake pads are a bigger problem on a mountain descent than on a city commute.
Renting a bike vs riding your own
Riding your own bike is cheaper if it is in good mechanical condition and you're comfortable maintaining it on the road. Renting makes sense if you don't own a suitable bike, or don't want to put 1,800 km on your daily ride.
Rental operators in Gilgit-Baltistan advertised a Honda CG125 at around PKR 3,000 a day and a Suzuki GS150 at PKR 4,000 to 5,000 a day in 2026, with fuel extra. For a week that's PKR 21,000 to 35,000 before fuel, which puts renting well above the cost of riding a bike you already own, but still cheaper than hiring a car and driver for one person.
Gear: what's worth spending on
A full-face, DOT or ECE-certified helmet is the one item not worth skimping on. Pakistani retailers sell certified helmets from about PKR 5,000 to 7,500, and it's worth spending at that level rather than the cheapest option on the shelf. Beyond the helmet, a proper riding jacket, gloves and boots make a real difference to comfort and safety on long mountain days but cost more, and prices vary widely by brand; check current listings from Pakistani motorcycle-gear retailers before you buy, since they move often.
If you already own decent riding gear, bring it. If you're kitting out from scratch just for this trip, weigh the gear cost against a couple of guided motorbike tours that include bikes and basic gear, which several Gilgit-Baltistan operators now run.
Stays and food
Budget guesthouses along the route run about PKR 1,500 to 2,500 a night, and dhaba meals cost a few hundred rupees each; our guide to food prices in the Northern Areas sets out what a day of eating actually costs. Wild camping is an option in some valleys and often free or a small village fee, but check locally rather than assuming it's allowed everywhere.
The contingency fund
Keep at least PKR 5,000 to 10,000 aside, more for a longer or more remote route. A bike trip is more exposed to weather and mechanical problems than a car trip: a flat tyre far from a workshop, a day lost to rain on the passes, or a part that has to be sourced from Gilgit rather than the roadside. This reserve is what turns a breakdown into an inconvenience rather than a trip-ending problem.
Is a bike trip the right way to see the north?
For an experienced rider comfortable on mountain roads, yes, and it's genuinely one of the best ways to see the Karakoram Highway. It suits solo riders and small groups more than families, and it is not the way to introduce a nervous or inexperienced rider to mountain driving. If in doubt, our Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour covers the same route by car with a mountain driver.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a week-long bike trip to Hunza cost?
Roughly PKR 25,000 to 45,000 per rider on your own bike, covering fuel, rooms, food and a service stop, plus whatever you spend on gear beforehand.
Can I ride the motorway on a small motorcycle?
No. Pakistan's motorways exclude motorcycles below a set engine size, so most riders heading north use the N-35 through Abbottabad and Mansehra instead, which has no motorway toll.
Is the road from Mansehra to Chilas safe for a bike trip?
Pakistani riders use this stretch of the Karakoram Highway regularly, but as of September 2026 the UK government advises against all travel on it. In summer, the Babusar Pass route offers an alternative that avoids that section. Anyone travelling on a foreign passport should check their own government's current advice, since ignoring it can void travel insurance.
What size bike is realistic for this trip?
A 125cc or 150cc bike manages the route fine in summer, and it's what most local riders use. Bigger bikes are faster but heavier to manage on the steepest switchbacks and gravel sections.
Do I need a mechanic's contact before I go?
It helps. Gilgit and Karimabad both have bike workshops used to servicing touring motorcycles, and it's worth having a name and number before you set off rather than searching for one mid-trip.
