A Fort Munro trip cost is driven almost entirely by fuel, since the hill station itself charges nothing to enter and its food and lodging are modest. From Multan, a round trip in an average petrol car works out to roughly PKR 12,000 to 13,000 in fuel alone; from Lahore, plan on around PKR 37,000 to 38,000. This guide breaks down where that goes and what to budget on top for food, a night's stay and the small extras that add up on a family trip.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Distance from Multan | About 180 km one way (via Dera Ghazi Khan) |
| Distance from Lahore | About 530 km one way |
| Petrol price | About PKR 390 per litre (September 2026) |
| Round-trip fuel, Multan | Roughly PKR 12,000 to 13,000 (car) |
| Round-trip fuel, Lahore | Roughly PKR 37,000 to 38,000 (car) |
| Entry fee | None known for the hill station itself |
Fuel cost from Multan
The route from Multan runs through Dera Ghazi Khan and up the N-70, about 90 to 100 km to DG Khan and a further 85 km up to Fort Munro, for a one-way distance of roughly 180 km and a round trip of about 360 km. Assuming a mid-size petrol car doing around 11 km per litre, that's about 33 litres of fuel, which at the current petrol price of roughly PKR 390 per litre comes to about PKR 12,800 for the round trip. A less efficient vehicle or an SUV will use noticeably more; a small, fuel-efficient car will use less. Fuel prices change every two weeks in Pakistan, so treat this as a guide rather than a fixed figure.
Fuel cost from Lahore
Lahore to Fort Munro is a longer haul: about 330 km to Multan on the motorway, then the same 180 km on to Fort Munro, for roughly 510 to 530 km one way and about 1,050 km round trip. At the same 11 km per litre and PKR 390 a litre, that's in the region of PKR 37,000 to 38,000 in fuel for the round trip, before motorway tolls. Most families from Lahore break this into two days each way rather than driving it in one push, which is also the safer choice given the length of the drive and the hairpin climb at the end of it.
Food and stopping costs
There's no large restaurant scene at Fort Munro itself, just the resort's dining room and a handful of stalls and small eateries in the bazaar. As a general guide, a simple meal at a roadside dhaba anywhere in Pakistan runs around PKR 700 to 1,200 per person in 2026, and you should expect similar or slightly higher prices in a small tourist town on a busy weekend. Budget for at least one proper stop each way if you're driving from Multan, and two or more from Lahore, plus tea, snacks and fuel-station stops along the N-70 and the motorway.
Where to stay and what it costs
Fort Munro's accommodation is limited: a government-run resort by the lake, a small number of private hotels and guesthouses, and rest houses that need arranging through the relevant department. Rates vary by season and property, rise on peak weekends, and change often enough that a specific figure here would go stale quickly. Our Fort Munro hotels guide covers what's available; check current rates directly with the property before you travel, and book ahead if you're going on a summer weekend.
If you'd rather not budget for a room at all, Fort Munro also works as a long day trip from Dera Ghazi Khan or even Multan, leaving early and returning the same evening.
Family and group budgets
For a rough sense of scale, here's how the main costs stack up for different trips. Figures assume the fuel estimates above and a simple meal budget; they exclude accommodation, which you should price separately and add on for an overnight stay.
| Trip | Fuel (round trip) | Food (family of 4, one day) | Rough day-trip total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multan, day trip, family of 4 | ~PKR 12,800 | ~PKR 3,000 to 4,000 | ~PKR 16,000 to 17,000 |
| Lahore, day trip, family of 4 | ~PKR 37,500 | ~PKR 4,000 to 5,000 | ~PKR 42,000 to 43,000 (very long single day) |
| Multan, overnight, family of 4 | ~PKR 12,800 | ~PKR 6,000 to 8,000 (two days) | Add a night's accommodation |
A group hiring a car with a driver, or splitting a larger vehicle between more people, changes this picture again: fuel per person drops, but you're paying for the driver's time and possibly a return fare if they don't wait overnight. Ask any operator or driver in Multan or DG Khan for a fixed quote before you set out, and confirm it covers the mountain section of the N-70, not just the plains portion.
Ways to cut the cost
- Go from Multan or DG Khan rather than Lahore if your schedule allows; it roughly triples the fuel bill to start from Lahore.
- Travel as a day trip if you don't need the cooler evening air overnight, and skip the accommodation cost entirely.
- Fill up before Dera Ghazi Khan, where fuel is easy to find, rather than hunting for a station on the mountain stretch.
- Carry your own snacks and water for the drive, and save restaurant spending for one proper meal rather than several stops.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a day trip to Fort Munro cost from Multan?
For a family of four in a private car, expect roughly PKR 16,000 to 17,000 for fuel and food, based on current petrol prices. This excludes any accommodation, since a day trip from Multan doesn't require an overnight stay.
Is Fort Munro expensive to visit?
No. There's no known entry fee for the hill station itself, and food and fuel are the main costs. The biggest variable is how far you're driving from and what you spend on accommodation if you stay overnight.
Is it cheaper to hire a car with a driver than to drive yourself?
It depends on group size. Splitting a hired car and driver's fee across four or more people can work out similar to or cheaper than running your own vehicle, and it means nobody drives tired on the mountain section. Get a fixed quote in advance.
Does the cost change a lot between seasons?
Accommodation and food prices tend to rise on summer weekends and around long holidays, when demand is highest. Fuel prices change independently, roughly every two weeks, regardless of season.
