Hiace rent for the Northern Areas costs roughly PKR 9,000 to 13,000 a day in 2026, going by current rates from Islamabad and Rawalpindi rental firms, for a van seating 12 to 14 people, with fuel and tolls charged separately. A Coaster, seating up to around 28, runs roughly PKR 15,000 to 25,000 a day. Both are built for paved roads and don't belong on rougher jeep tracks such as the Fairy Meadows approach, which matters when planning a route for a large family or group.
This guide sets out the rates, what's included, the roads these vans can and can't cover, and how to work out whether a Hiace or a Coaster suits a bigger group better than two smaller cars.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Hiace (Grand Cabin), seats | 12 to 14 |
| Hiace day rate | Roughly PKR 9,000 to 13,000 (2026) |
| Coaster, seats | Up to around 28 |
| Coaster day rate | Roughly PKR 15,000 to 25,000 (2026) |
| Fuel, tolls | Usually charged separately |
| Suited to | Paved roads: Karakoram Highway, main routes to Naran, Skardu town |
What a Hiace and a Coaster actually cost
Islamabad and Rawalpindi rental firms currently quote Hiace day rates in the PKR 9,000 to 13,000 range, sometimes described as a "Grand Cabin," with the higher end of that range typically for newer or better-maintained vans. Coasters, which carry considerably more people, run roughly PKR 15,000 to 25,000 a day. Both figures are the vehicle and driver only; fuel and toll charges are added on top, usually settled against receipts or an agreed estimate rather than folded into the quoted rate. Driver charges typically cover a working day of around 12 hours, with overtime charged separately if the day runs longer, which is worth asking about upfront on days with a long drive.
For a multi-day Northern Areas trip, the day rate applies for every day the vehicle is with you, including days spent parked while you're out on foot or on a local jeep, not just the days you're actually driving.
Comparing the total for a group trip
For a week-long trip to Hunza from Islamabad, a Hiace at roughly PKR 10,000 a day comes to about PKR 70,000 for the vehicle alone, plus fuel — allow roughly PKR 30,000 to 40,000 for the return distance in a van of this size, which tends to use more fuel than a sedan. Split across a full 12 to 14 seats, that's a modest per-person cost; split across a smaller family group of six or seven using a van built for more, the per-head saving shrinks, and a smaller car with driver may work out cheaper. Our car with driver rates cover sedan and smaller SUV pricing for comparison.
A Coaster makes sense mainly for genuinely large groups — an extended family gathering, a company trip, a wedding party heading north together — where 20 or more seats are actually needed. For anything smaller, it's an expensive way to move a handful of people.
Where these vans can't go
This is the detail that catches people planning a big family trip: a Hiace or Coaster is built for paved roads, and the Northern Areas has several well-known routes that aren't. The jeep track up to Fairy Meadows from Raikot Bridge is the clearest example — it's steep, narrow and unpaved, and only small 4x4 jeeps run it, with a seat limit of around 4 to 5 per vehicle for safety. The Deosai plains crossing is similarly unsuited to a Hiace-sized vehicle on its unpaved sections. A Coaster is even less suited to any of the region's rougher tracks, simply because of its length and turning circle on narrow mountain roads.
What this means in practice: a Hiace or Coaster can comfortably cover the Karakoram Highway to Hunza, the road to Skardu town, and the main route to Naran, but a group planning to include Fairy Meadows or a Deosai crossing needs to budget separately for local jeep hire at that point in the trip, rather than assuming the van that brought them will continue on. Our jeep hire cost guide covers those fixed, per-jeep union fares.
One Hiace or two smaller cars?
For a group of ten to fourteen, a single Hiace is usually simpler and often cheaper than two smaller cars, since you're paying one driver and one set of tolls rather than two. It also keeps the group together, which matters for coordinating meals and stops. The trade-off is flexibility: a group split into two cars can split up for different paces or interests during the day, while a Hiace group moves as one unit. For a family of six to eight who value staying together over splitting up, a Hiace is usually the simpler, more economical choice; for a mixed group with different interests, two smaller cars sometimes suits better despite the extra cost.
What to check before booking
Ask specifically about the van's age and condition, since a decade-old Hiace with worn brakes is a real concern on the Karakoram Highway's descents, not just a comfort issue. Confirm what the day rate covers — driver hours, fuel, tolls — in writing before paying an advance, and ask whether the same driver and vehicle are guaranteed for the whole trip rather than swapped partway. For a week-long hire, a written agreement covering the itinerary, daily hours and what happens if plans change is worth having, even if it feels like overkill for a family trip.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Hiace cost to rent for a Northern Areas trip?
Roughly PKR 9,000 to 13,000 a day in 2026 for the vehicle and driver, with fuel and tolls charged separately. A week-long Hunza trip typically runs to around PKR 70,000 for the vehicle alone before fuel.
How many people fit in a Hiace?
Usually 12 to 14 seats in the "Grand Cabin" configuration commonly used for Northern Areas trips, though the exact count varies by model and operator.
Can a Hiace go to Fairy Meadows or across Deosai?
No. Both routes need a smaller 4x4 jeep suited to steep, unpaved and narrow tracks. A Hiace or Coaster should be used for the paved approach roads, with local jeep hire arranged separately for those specific legs.
Is a Coaster worth it for a smaller group?
Generally not. Coasters are priced for their larger seat count, so for a group of under fifteen or so, a Hiace or even two smaller cars usually works out cheaper per person.
Is fuel included in the Hiace or Coaster day rate?
Usually not. Rental firms typically quote the vehicle and driver only, with fuel and tolls charged on top and settled separately, so ask for this to be confirmed before booking.
