Whether to fly to Gilgit or Skardu comes down to where your trip is actually going: fly to Gilgit for Hunza, Nagar and the Khunjerab Pass, and fly to Skardu for Deosai, Shigar and Khaplu. The two airports sit roughly 250 km apart by road, on opposite sides of Gilgit-Baltistan, so picking the wrong one adds a full day's drive to your itinerary rather than saving one.
This guide compares the two airports on reliability, aircraft and onward drive times, so you can pick the arrival point that actually matches your route.
| Gilgit Airport | Skardu Airport | |
|---|---|---|
| Serves | Hunza, Nagar, Khunjerab | Deosai, Shigar, Khaplu, Kachura |
| Runway | About 1,650 m | About 3,650 m |
| Typical aircraft | ATR turboprop | Airbus A320-family and similar jets |
| Airlines (2026) | PIA | PIA, Airblue, AirSial |
| Onward drive to the valley | About 1.5 to 2 hours to Karimabad | Skardu town is close; the airport is about 10 km out |
| Weather sensitivity | Higher; frequent cancellations | Lower than Gilgit, but still weather-dependent |
Why the two airports are not equally reliable
Skardu's runway is roughly 3,650 metres long, and since it was designated an international airport it has taken larger jets such as the Airbus A320 family, flown by PIA, Airblue and AirSial. Gilgit's runway is far shorter, at around 1,650 metres, so it only takes ATR turboprops, which need good visibility through the surrounding mountains to land safely. In practice this means Skardu flights are cancelled by weather less often than Gilgit flights, though neither route can be relied on absolutely, and both can be diverted back to Islamabad if the approach is not clear.
Fly to Gilgit if your trip is Hunza and the Karakoram Highway
Gilgit airport puts you closest to Hunza, Nagar and the drive up to Khunjerab Pass. From Gilgit, Karimabad is roughly 100 km and two to three hours by road along the Karakoram Highway, and Gilgit city itself is worth an hour or two if your flight lands with time to spare. If you are building a trip around our Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour, this is the airport that matches the route.
Fly to Skardu if your trip is Deosai, Shigar or Khaplu
Skardu airport sits close to Skardu town, with Shangrila and the Kachura lakes a similar short drive in the other direction. It is the natural arrival point for a trip built around Deosai, Shigar Fort or Khaplu Palace, and it matches our Skardu and Deosai tour. Because it takes larger aircraft on a longer runway, it is also the better bet if you are short on spare days and cannot afford a cancelled flight to eat into your trip.
If your trip covers both sides
Some itineraries genuinely need both: Hunza in the west, Skardu in the east. In that case, decide which end to fly into based on where you want to start, and plan to drive the roughly 250 km between Gilgit and Skardu, a journey of five hours or more depending on the road, as part of the trip rather than a connector to rush. Flying into one city and out of the other, where schedules allow, avoids doubling back.
Booking and baggage
Both routes are flown as domestic sectors from Islamabad, with Skardu also reachable non-stop from Lahore and Karachi on some airlines. Fares move a great deal with how far ahead you book and how close to peak summer season you fly, so book as early as your dates allow, especially for July and August. Domestic flights on smaller aircraft can carry less checked baggage than an international sector, so check the airline's current allowance before you pack, particularly if you are also carrying trekking or camping gear.
The road backup, either way
Both airports are weather-dependent enough that no Gilgit-Baltistan trip should assume the flight will definitely go. Build in a spare day either side of a flight if you can, and know the road alternative: the Karakoram Highway from Islamabad to Gilgit and on to Hunza, or the Skardu road via Chilas, both a long single day or better split over two. Our travel guide covers the road routes and how they compare to flying in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is more reliable, Gilgit or Skardu?
Skardu, because its longer runway takes larger jets that need less exact weather conditions than the small turboprops flying into Gilgit. Neither is guaranteed, and both can be delayed or cancelled by cloud and wind in the mountains.
How far is it to drive between Gilgit and Skardu?
Roughly 250 km, taking five hours or more depending on road conditions, since the route runs along the Indus through the mountains rather than a direct line.
Which airlines fly to each airport in 2026?
PIA flies to Gilgit. Skardu is served by PIA, Airblue and AirSial, giving more options and generally more competitive fares.
Can I fly into one airport and out of the other?
Yes, where schedules allow, and it is worth doing if your trip genuinely covers both Hunza and Skardu, since it avoids the long road journey between them twice.
Should I always keep a spare day around a flight?
Yes. Both airports are affected by mountain weather, and cancellations happen often enough that no trip should be planned on the assumption the first flight will definitely operate.
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