The NATCO bus to Skardu is the longest regular coach ride in Pakistan, at around 18 to 22 hours from Rawalpindi, and how comfortable it is depends almost entirely on which coach you're booked onto rather than which company you choose. NATCO, the Gilgit-Baltistan government's transport corporation, runs the main service from Pir Wadhai, and private operators including Mashabrum Tours and K2 Movers list similar overnight coaches on the same route.
This guide is about getting through that ride comfortably and choosing between NATCO and its alternatives. For the full breakdown of fares, timings and the route itself, see our Rawalpindi to Skardu bus guide.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Main operator | NATCO (Northern Areas Transport Corporation) |
| Alternatives | Mashabrum Tours, K2 Movers |
| Leaves from | Pir Wadhai terminal, Rawalpindi |
| Journey time | About 18 to 22 hours, longer if the road is blocked |
| NATCO coach types | Yutong, Daewoo and Hino |
| Arrives | NATCO terminal, Skardu town |
What actually makes the ride comfortable
Almost every complaint about the Skardu bus comes down to the same handful of things, and they're worth planning around rather than leaving to chance.
- Which coach you get. NATCO runs Yutong, Daewoo and older Hino buses on this route. A Yutong's reclining seats and working air conditioning make an 18-hour night bearable; a Hino, with harder seats and no reclining, makes the same night much longer. Ask which coach is assigned before you pay.
- Where you sit. A seat near the front, over the axle rather than the back wheels, gives a steadier ride through the bends of Kohistan and is kinder to anyone prone to motion sickness.
- Temperature. Between the air conditioning and the cold mountain night, coaches get chilly well before dawn. A shawl or a light blanket in your hand luggage matters more on this route than on almost any other bus ride in Pakistan.
- Sleep comes in pieces. Meal stops, prayer breaks and police checkposts interrupt the night regularly. An eye mask and earplugs help more than trying to plan around the stops.
- The last stretch. The Jaglot–Skardu road up the Indus gorge is the most dramatic part of the trip and, on an afternoon departure, it's usually daylight by the time you reach it, so try to stay awake for it rather than sleeping through.
NATCO or a private operator?
| NATCO | Mashabrum Tours | K2 Movers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Gilgit-Baltistan government | Private | Private, Gilgit-based |
| Coaches | Yutong, Daewoo, Hino | Daewoo | Ask when booking |
| Runs in the off-season | Most reliably | Less consistently | Less consistently |
| Offices at both ends | Yes | Yes | Mostly Gilgit-based |
| Booking | App, Bookme, terminal, phone | Terminal, phone | Terminal, phone |
NATCO has run the route the longest, has a proper office in Skardu to deal with if a bag goes missing or a coach breaks down, and is the operator most likely to still be running if you're travelling outside the summer peak. Mashabrum Tours and K2 Movers are worth comparing on price and departure time, since a later or earlier start can matter more to your sleep than the badge on the coach, but read recent reviews before booking, since standards on individual buses vary more than the companies' names suggest.
Whichever you choose, the deciding factor is still the individual bus, not the operator's name. Ask directly which coach type is running your date, and if you have a choice of departure time, an earlier afternoon start means crossing the roughest section of Kohistan while it's still light, which some travellers find easier to sleep through afterwards than crossing it in the dark on a later coach.
Booking NATCO for Skardu
- The NATCO app ("NATCO – Ticket Booking" on Google Play and the App Store) lets you see and choose your seat directly.
- Bookme lists NATCO's Skardu service alongside its other routes and is a quick way to check what's available on a given date.
- At Pir Wadhai, tickets are sold on the day, but a seat is not guaranteed in summer or around Eid. Book ahead if you can.
- By phone, NATCO's Rawalpindi office is on 051 9334556 and its Skardu terminal on 05815 920290, both listed on the NATCO website.
Carry your CNIC, since it's checked at several points along the route. Foreign nationals need a passport and valid visa plus photocopies for the checkposts.
Arriving in Skardu
NATCO's coaches arrive at its own terminal in Skardu town, not at the airport, and taxis are readily available outside for the last leg to your hotel. If you've been on the bus overnight and arrive in the morning after a long ride, resist the urge to head straight out sightseeing. Skardu sits at around 2,200 metres, high enough that a night's proper sleep before your first full day makes a real difference, especially if you're carrying on to Deosai or Khaplu shortly after.
Keep an eye on your checked luggage as the coach unloads. With several passengers getting off at the same stop and bags coming out of the hold in a rush, it's easy for something to be picked up by the wrong person. Match your tag before you walk away.
What to pack for the overnight ride
- A warm layer or shawl, whatever the season, for the hours before dawn
- An eye mask, earplugs and a small travel pillow
- Water and snacks; meal stops run on the driver's schedule, not yours
- Motion sickness medication, taken before the Kohistan bends rather than during them
- A power bank, since charging points on board can't be relied on
Is the bus worth 20 hours to Skardu?
For one or two people travelling on a tight budget, yes, and it's by far the cheapest way to Skardu. For a family with young children, anyone who can't sleep sitting upright, or a group short on time, the cost of a flight or a hired car with a driver buys back a full day and a proper night's sleep, which for many travellers is worth more than the saving. Our Skardu trip cost guide weighs the bus against flying and driving.
Frequently asked questions
Is NATCO or a private bus better for Skardu?
NATCO has the longest track record on the route and offices at both ends, and it runs most reliably outside summer. Private operators can be cheaper or better timed, but ask which coach is running before you book with any of them.
How long is the NATCO bus ride to Skardu?
Around 18 to 22 hours from Rawalpindi in normal conditions, and considerably longer if a landslide or road closure holds up the coach anywhere along the Karakoram Highway or the Jaglot–Skardu road.
Which NATCO bus should I ask for on the Skardu route?
A Yutong or Daewoo coach rather than an older Hino, for air conditioning and reclining seats on the overnight ride. The booking apps don't always show this clearly, so ask directly when you book.
Can I choose my seat on the NATCO bus to Skardu?
Yes, through the NATCO app or Bookme, both of which show a seat map. A seat near the front, over the axle, gives the steadiest ride through the bends.
Does the NATCO bus to Skardu run every day?
NATCO runs the route regularly through the year, though schedules shift with demand and the road can force delays or cancellations, particularly in winter and during the monsoon. Confirm the day's departure when you book.
