Local transport in Skardu has no ride-hailing app and no metered taxis, so getting around comes down to three options: a private taxi or car with driver, a shared van or wagon on a fixed route, or a jeep hired for the day. Which one suits you depends on where you're going and how many people are travelling.
This guide covers all three, including the roads out to Shigar and Khaplu.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Around Skardu town | Private taxi, agreed fare, no meters |
| To Shigar or Khaplu | Shared van or wagon from the local stand, or a hired car |
| To Kachura, Katpana, Satpara | Paved roads, any car or taxi |
| To Deosai, Basho, Soq | Jeep needed; hire with driver |
| Car rental with driver | Roughly PKR 8,000 upwards per day depending on vehicle (2026) |
| Booking ahead | Not usually needed for taxis; useful for jeeps in peak season |
Taxis and private cars within Skardu
There's no citywide taxi meter system, so every ride is a negotiated or pre-agreed fare. Hotels can usually call a driver, and there are informal taxi stands around the bazaar. Agree the fare before you get in, particularly for anything outside the town centre, and expect it to cost more late at night or for a longer wait.
For day trips to the paved-road attractions close to Skardu, Katpana desert, the Kachura lakes and Satpara Lake, an ordinary taxi or hired car is enough. All three are reachable on sealed roads without needing a 4x4.
Shared vans to Shigar and Khaplu
Shared minibuses and vans, often called wagons or Hiace vans depending on the vehicle, run between Skardu and the main nearby towns, including Shigar and Khaplu, from informal stands rather than a proper bus terminal. There's no printed timetable and no fixed departure point that's easy to find without asking, so the practical approach is to ask your hotel or a local driver where that day's van leaves from and roughly when.
This is the cheapest way to travel and normal for local Balti travellers, but it means less certainty on timing, and the vehicle waits until it's reasonably full before leaving. If you're short on time or travelling with a group and luggage, hiring a car directly is usually more reliable, if more expensive.
Hiring a jeep or car with driver
For anywhere off the paved network, Basho, Soq, Stak Valley, or a full day covering several stops, hiring a jeep or car with a local driver is the standard approach. Rental companies and individual drivers in Skardu offer a range of vehicles from sedans up to Land Cruisers and jeeps, generally with the driver included and fuel extra. Rates vary by vehicle and season; as a rough current guide, day rates start from around PKR 8,000 for a smaller vehicle and rise well beyond that for a Land Cruiser or Prado, so treat any figure as a starting point to confirm rather than a fixed price. Our guide to renting a car in Skardu covers this in more depth.
A driver who knows the current state of the jeep tracks is worth more than the vehicle itself on rougher routes; ask what condition the road is in before you commit to a trip to somewhere like Basho or Stak.
Getting to and from the airport
Skardu Airport has no fixed public transport link into town, so the practical options are a pre-arranged hotel pickup or a taxi from the rank outside arrivals. If you're booking a multi-day car rental anyway, many companies will meet you at the airport as part of the package.
Which option to choose
If you're staying in Skardu town and visiting the paved-road sights, a taxi for each trip or a car hired by the day both work well. If you're travelling on a tight budget and don't mind uncertain timing, the shared vans to Shigar and Khaplu are the local way to do it. If your plans include Basho, Soq, Stak Valley or Deosai, a jeep with driver isn't optional, it's the only realistic way in. For a longer trip that includes several of these, our travel guide covers planning transport across Gilgit-Baltistan more broadly.
Frequently asked questions
Is there Uber or a ride-hailing app in Skardu?
No. Getting around relies on private taxis, hotel-arranged cars, shared vans on fixed routes, and hired jeeps.
How do I get from Skardu to Shigar without a private car?
Shared vans and wagons run between Skardu and Shigar from informal local stands; ask your hotel where that day's van departs from, since there's no fixed timetable.
Do I need a jeep to visit Kachura, Katpana or Satpara Lake?
No. All three are on paved roads reachable by an ordinary taxi or car.
How much does it cost to hire a car with driver in Skardu?
Rates vary by vehicle, starting from roughly PKR 8,000 a day for a smaller car (2026), rising for a Land Cruiser or Prado. Confirm the current rate and what's included, such as fuel, before booking.
Can I get a taxi from Skardu Airport into town?
Yes, from the taxi rank at arrivals, or through a pre-arranged hotel or car rental pickup.
