A Murree and Nathia Gali trip from Lahore works well as a three-day loop: one day to drive up and settle into Murree, one day moving through Ayubia to Nathia Gali, and one day driving back. The whole hill-station stretch, from Murree through Ayubia to Nathia Gali, is compact enough to cover slowly rather than as a single rushed day trip.
This plan covers the drive from Lahore, how to split the days between Murree and Nathia Gali, and what each place adds that the other doesn't. If you'd rather have this route planned around your dates and party size, our trip planner can put it together.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Lahore to Murree | About 440 to 450 km, roughly 5.5 to 6 hours by motorway |
| Murree to Nathia Gali | About 32 to 38 km via Ayubia, around an hour |
| Suggested length | 3 days, 2 nights |
| Best months | March to June and September to November; avoid peak monsoon landslide risk in July and August, and expect snow closures December to February |
| Altitude | Murree about 2,300 m; Nathia Gali about 2,500 m |
Day 1: Lahore to Murree
Take the M-2 motorway towards Islamabad, then the Islamabad–Murree Expressway up into the hills. The drive is around 440 to 450 km and takes roughly 5.5 to 6 hours in normal traffic, longer on a weekend or public holiday when the road into Murree itself backs up. Break at one of the motorway service areas, such as Kallar Kahar or Chakwal, rather than pushing straight through.
Settle into a hotel in or around Mall Road, or in Bhurban if you'd rather be a little outside the town centre, and use the rest of the afternoon for Mall Road itself, Kashmir Point or Pindi Point. Murree gets crowded fast on weekends and during the summer season, so plan the busiest sights for early morning if you can. Our places to visit in Murree guide covers the town in more detail.
Day 2: Murree to Nathia Gali via Ayubia
This is the heart of the plan: a short drive that takes most of a day because of what's along it. Leave Murree by mid-morning and follow the road through Khanspur towards Ayubia, which sits roughly halfway to Nathia Gali. Ayubia National Park is worth an hour or two on its own, for the chairlift when it is running and the short walking trails through pine forest; check locally before relying on the chairlift being open, since it has had periods of closure for maintenance.
From Ayubia it's a short further drive down into Nathia Gali itself, a smaller and quieter hill station than Murree, with St Matthew's Church, the Governor's House and walking trails including the route up towards Mushkpuri Top. Spend the night here rather than driving back to Murree, so you have a full evening and the next morning to enjoy the quieter pace before heading home. Our places to visit in Nathia Gali guide has more on what to see once you're there.
Day 3: Nathia Gali back to Lahore
Retrace the route back through Ayubia and Murree to rejoin the expressway and M-2. Leave by mid-morning to avoid arriving in Lahore after dark, and allow extra time if you're travelling on a Friday or Sunday, when both the hill roads and the motorway can be busier than usual.
Splitting your time: more Murree or more Nathia Gali?
If your group wants shopping, restaurants and an easy first taste of the hills, weight the trip towards Murree and treat Nathia Gali as a half-day detour. If you'd rather walk, sit somewhere quiet and skip the crowds, flip it: one night in Murree to break the drive, then two nights around Nathia Gali or Ayubia.
Families with young children often prefer Murree for the choice of hotels and food; couples and older travellers looking for a calmer pace tend to prefer Nathia Gali.
What to carry
- Warm layers even in summer; evenings in Nathia Gali are noticeably cooler than Lahore
- A jacket, gloves and proper shoes if travelling between December and February, when snow is likely and roads can close at short notice
- Cash, since ATMs are more reliable in Murree than in Nathia Gali
- Any regular medication, since pharmacies are limited once you're past Murree
Is this trip worth it from Lahore?
For a three-day weekend, yes, if you don't mind roughly 11 to 12 hours of driving across the trip. Families with very young children or anyone short on time might prefer to stop at Murree alone and treat Nathia Gali as a future trip; travellers who've already done Murree on its own get more out of adding Nathia Gali and Ayubia this time.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Lahore to Murree?
About 5.5 to 6 hours under normal conditions via the M-2 motorway and the Islamabad–Murree Expressway, longer on weekends and holidays when the road into Murree is congested.
How far is Nathia Gali from Murree?
Around 32 to 38 km via Ayubia, about an hour's drive on a paved but winding road.
Is 3 days enough for Murree and Nathia Gali?
Yes, for a comfortable trip from Lahore: one day for the drive up, one day moving through Ayubia to Nathia Gali, and one day for the return.
Is the Ayubia chairlift open?
It has had periods of closure for maintenance, so check locally in Ayubia or with your hotel before counting on it. The walking trails through Ayubia National Park are a reliable alternative either way.
When should I avoid this trip?
Avoid the peak of the monsoon in July and August, when landslides are more likely on the hill roads, and expect snow and possible road closures from December to February.
