Getting around Gilgit-Baltistan by public transport means shared vans, NATCO coaches and, for the high meadows and lakes, hired jeeps. Gilgit is the hub: vans leave from its stands for Hunza, Skardu and the side valleys, usually when every seat is full rather than to a timetable, and mostly in the morning. It is cheap and it works well on the main roads, but it is slow, and places such as Fairy Meadows, Deosai and the Naltar lakes still need a jeep at the end.
This guide covers who runs what, the main routes and how long they take, how the jeeps work, and the practical things that make a day on shared transport easier.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Hubs | Gilgit for the whole region; Skardu for Baltistan |
| Main operator | NATCO, the government transport corporation, plus private van and coach operators |
| How vans run | Leave when full; most departures in the morning |
| Busiest routes | Gilgit to Aliabad and Karimabad; Gilgit to Skardu |
| Jeep-only places | Fairy Meadows, Deosai, the Naltar lakes, Rama |
| Payment | Cash, per seat |
| Papers | CNIC; foreign nationals a passport, visa and photocopies |
| Days to avoid | 9 and 10 Muharram; any day with a road-closure warning |
How public transport works in Gilgit-Baltistan
NATCO, the Northern Areas Transport Corporation, has run buses in the region since 1974 and is owned by the government. Its head office is at Jutial in Gilgit, on Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, and it has offices in Skardu, Hunza and Ghizer. It runs coaches and vans between the main towns, a fleet it says serves remote areas at subsidised fares, long-distance coaches to Rawalpindi, and a seasonal international service to China through Sost. Its office numbers are on the NATCO website, and the long-distance coaches can be booked online or through its app.
Shared vans do most of the work. They are Toyota Hiace-type minibuses that leave from a stand once every seat is taken, with luggage tied on the roof. Each seat has a set fare for the route, and you pay the driver or the stand clerk in cash. They stop at checkposts, for prayers and for tea, and drop people anywhere along the road.
Local pickups and small vans cover short hops, such as Aliabad to Karimabad, or into a village off the highway.
Taxis and ride apps fill the gaps. In Gilgit and Skardu you can hire a taxi for a single trip or a day, and inDrive's intercity service lists routes such as Gilgit to Skardu, where you propose a fare and drivers bid.
Gilgit: where the vans leave from
NATCO's terminal is at Jutial, and private vans for Hunza, Skardu and the other valleys leave from stands in the city. Stands move from time to time, and each route has its own, so ask at your hotel the evening before which stand serves your route and what time the first van usually fills.
Go early. The first vans of the day fill quickly, and after early afternoon departures thin out, especially on the smaller routes. If a van hasn't filled, you wait; you can also pay for the empty seats to leave sooner.
The main routes
Times below are for a car on a normal day. A shared van takes longer, often an hour or more on the longer routes, because of the time spent filling up and the stops on the way.
| Route | Roughly | By car | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilgit to Aliabad and Karimabad | 100 km | 2 to 2.5 hours | The busiest route. For Karimabad, change at Aliabad for the short hop up the hill |
| Aliabad to Gulmit, Passu and Sost | Up the KKH through the Attabad tunnels | 1 to 2 hours | Fewer vans than below Aliabad; NATCO also runs to Sost |
| Gilgit to Skardu | About 210 km, via Jaglot | 4 to 5 hours | Vans and coaches daily; the road follows the Indus gorge |
| Skardu to Shigar | A short run north | About 1 hour | Daytime vans; easy to combine with a taxi |
| Skardu to Khaplu | About 103 km | About 3 hours | Up the Shyok valley |
| Gilgit to Gupis and Phander | Gupis about 112 km; Phander about 170 km | Phander 5 to 6 hours | Few vans, mostly in the morning |
| Gilgit to Astore | Via the Astore road from near Bunji | 4 to 5 hours | Fewer vans; Rama is a jeep ride beyond |
If you are heading to China, NATCO's cross-border service runs in the season when the Khunjerab Pass is open to traffic. You need a passport with a Chinese visa, and it is a journey, not a day trip.
Jeeps: the last stretch
Some of the best places in Gilgit-Baltistan are beyond the reach of any van. For these you hire a jeep with a driver, usually for a fixed return fare that includes the waiting time.
- Fairy Meadows. Private vehicles are not allowed on the track from Raikot Bridge to Tato, and the local jeep operators set the price: about PKR 16,000 to 17,000 per jeep for the return trip in 2025, shared among the passengers. Our Fairy Meadows jeep track guide explains how it works. Vans heading south from Gilgit towards Chilas can drop you at Raikot Bridge.
- Deosai. Hire a jeep and driver in Skardu for the whole day. Night camping on the plateau has been banned since 2025, so it is a day crossing; our Deosai National Park guide has the current rules.
- The Naltar lakes. Jeeps run the last 12 to 13 km from Naltar Bala, and can be arranged there, in Nomal or in Gilgit.
- Rama. A jeep from Astore covers the last stretch to the meadow.
- Shimshal. A 56 km jeep road from near Passu; arrange a jeep in Passu or Gulmit.
Agree the full price before you get in: return or one way, how long the driver will wait, and whether the fare is for the jeep or per person.
Getting to Gilgit-Baltistan in the first place
The same system extends south. NATCO and private companies run coaches from Rawalpindi to Gilgit, Skardu and Hunza, most of them overnight along the Karakoram Highway, and they are the cheapest way north. Fares have risen with fuel prices, so check the current fare with the operator or a booking app. If you are thinking of driving instead, our Islamabad to Gilgit road guide covers the route, and our guide to flight cancellations explains when a coach is the sensible backup to a grounded plane.
Tips for a day on shared transport
- Carry your CNIC. Every van stops at checkposts. Foreign nationals should carry several photocopies of their passport and visa to hand over.
- Cover your bag. Luggage rides on the roof in dust and sometimes rain; put it in a strong plastic bag or cover.
- Take small notes. Fares are paid in cash, and drivers rarely have change for large notes early in the day.
- Bring water and a snack, and travel-sickness tablets if you need them.
- Don't travel in the dark. Most drivers don't either, and landslides are harder to see.
- Check before 9 and 10 Muharram. In 2025 the Gilgit-Baltistan tourism department advised visitors not to travel on those two days, as main roads closed and mobile service was suspended in many areas.
- Expect crowds at Eid. Vans and coaches fill fast in the days before and after, and fares can rise.
NATCO also runs a couple of boats on Attabad Lake, alongside the private operators; our Attabad Lake boating guide covers the lake.
Is public transport right for your trip?
It suits solo travellers, students, couples on a budget and anyone with time to spare. Between the main towns it is cheap, frequent enough, and a good way to meet people from the valleys.
It suits families with small children or older parents much less. A van ride that takes most of the day, a wait at the stand, luggage on the roof and a separate jeep hire at the end add up, and you lose the freedom to stop at viewpoints. For them, a car with a driver for the trip, or at least for the longer days, is usually worth the cost.
A good middle way is to use vans and coaches between the hubs, then hire a jeep or taxi for day trips from Karimabad or Skardu. Our travel guide has more on getting around the north.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a bus from Gilgit to Hunza?
Yes. Shared vans run from Gilgit to Aliabad throughout the morning and less often later in the day, and NATCO runs coaches up the Karakoram Highway to Sost. For Karimabad, take a local van or taxi up the hill from Aliabad.
How do I get from Gilgit to Skardu by public transport?
Shared vans and coaches run daily on the road via Jaglot, taking around five to six hours with stops. Leave in the morning; you can also hire a taxi or book a seat through a ride app's intercity service.
Does NATCO run buses inside Gilgit-Baltistan?
Yes. As well as its long-distance coaches from Rawalpindi, NATCO runs coaches and vans between the main towns of the region and to Sost. Call its Gilgit, Skardu or Hunza office for current departures.
Can I reach Fairy Meadows by public transport?
Partly. A van from Gilgit towards Chilas can drop you at Raikot Bridge, but from there you need a local jeep to Tato and a two- to four-hour walk to the meadow.
Do vans run at night in Gilgit-Baltistan?
Local vans generally don't, and it is best not to travel after dark on mountain roads. Some long-distance coaches to and from Rawalpindi do run overnight.
