Nathia Gali is reachable by public transport, but it usually means changing vehicles at least once. The typical route from Islamabad and Rawalpindi is a coach or van from Faizabad to Murree, then a local van on to Nathia Gali; from Abbottabad, vans run more directly from the main bus stand. None of it runs to a fixed timetable, so this is a trip for people who don't mind waiting and asking around, not one to plan to the minute.
This guide covers the routes, where you change, and what to expect if you are travelling without your own car.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| From Islamabad/Rawalpindi | Coach or van from Faizabad to Murree, then a local van to Nathia Gali (change once) |
| From Abbottabad | Vans from the main bus stand and Spring Field Plaza, roughly an hour direct |
| From Murree | Local vans from Mall Road or Kashmir Point, about 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Schedule | No fixed timetable; vans leave when full, mornings are more frequent |
| Fares | A few hundred rupees per leg; not fixed, ask before boarding |
| Alternative | Hire a car with a driver for the whole trip |
From Islamabad and Rawalpindi
There is no single direct public bus from the twin cities to Nathia Gali. The usual way is in two stages:
- Get to Faizabad, the transport hub on the edge of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, easily reached by taxi, rickshaw or the Metrobus.
- Take a coach or van from the Faizabad terminal towards Murree. Several operators run this route through the day, more frequently in the morning.
- In Murree, change to a local van heading along the Galiyat road towards Barian, Dunga Gali and Nathia Gali. These leave from around Mall Road or Kashmir Point.
Travelling this way takes noticeably longer than driving, largely because of the wait between connections and the stop-start nature of the Murree bazaar. Allow the best part of a day if you are set on doing it by public transport, especially at the weekend when both Murree and the Galiyat road are busiest. Our guide to the Islamabad–Nathia Gali drive covers the same route by car, with realistic timings for comparison.
From Abbottabad
Abbottabad is the more direct public-transport approach, and it avoids Murree's traffic entirely. Local vans and Suzuki pickups leave from the main bus stand and from Spring Field Plaza, opposite the Mansehra van stop on the Main Mall road, and climb through Harno and Bagnotar to reach Nathia Gali in roughly an hour on a clear road. This is a sensible option if you are coming from Peshawar or anywhere west, since Abbottabad is the natural changeover point on that side.
From Murree itself
If you are already in Murree, local vans for Nathia Gali leave from Mall Road or Kashmir Point and run the roughly 35 km along the Galiyat ridge, through Barian and Changla Gali, in about 1.5 to 2 hours. This is the same stretch a car covers faster, but the van stops more often and waits for passengers along the way.
Fares and timing
Van and coach fares on these routes are not fixed and change from season to season and operator to operator, so treat any figure as a rough guide only, not a quote. As a rule of thumb, each leg, Faizabad to Murree, and Murree to Nathia Gali, costs a few hundred rupees, considerably less than hiring a car for the same distance, but ask the fare before you get in, since informal vans don't always post it.
There is no published timetable for any of these services. Vans tend to leave once they are full rather than at a set time, mornings have more departures than afternoons, and the last van back can leave earlier than you expect, particularly outside summer. If you are travelling in one day, start early and don't leave the return leg to the last possible connection.
What the journey is actually like
Expect a shared van or Hiace, not a private seat: other passengers, luggage on the roof or your lap, and stops wherever someone wants to get on or off. It is a normal way to travel in the hills and perfectly manageable with light luggage, but it suits a couple or a solo traveller better than a family with a lot of bags, car seats or older parents who need a smoother ride.
Once you reach Nathia Gali, the town itself is walkable, and getting to Dunga Gali or Ayubia from there means either another short van hop or a taxi arranged through your hotel. Our places to visit in Nathia Gali guide covers what is within walking distance once you arrive.
Is public transport a good way to reach Nathia Gali?
For a budget trip, a solo traveller, or someone without access to a car, yes, and it costs a fraction of hiring a driver. The trade-off is time, comfort and certainty: no fixed schedule, at least one change, and a longer day than the same trip by car, especially on a summer weekend when both Murree and the Galiyat road are congested.
For families, anyone with heavy luggage, or a trip on a tight schedule, hiring a car with a driver from Islamabad or Rawalpindi removes the changes and the waiting, and it is easy to arrange through most hotels. If you would like help planning a trip to Nathia Gali either way, send us your dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct bus from Islamabad to Nathia Gali?
Not usually a single direct service. The common route is a coach or van from Faizabad to Murree, then a local van on to Nathia Gali, changing once.
How do I get to Nathia Gali from Abbottabad by public transport?
Local vans and Suzuki pickups leave from the main bus stand and Spring Field Plaza on the Main Mall road, reaching Nathia Gali in roughly an hour via Harno and Bagnotar.
How much does the van cost from Islamabad to Nathia Gali?
Fares are not fixed and vary by season and operator, so ask before boarding. Each leg of the journey costs a few hundred rupees, well below the cost of a hired car.
Is there a fixed timetable for vans to Nathia Gali?
No. Vans generally leave once full rather than on a schedule, with more departures in the morning. Start early if you need to reach Nathia Gali and return the same day.
Is public transport comfortable for a family trip to Nathia Gali?
It works, but it means a shared van, at least one change and no guaranteed seat. Families with young children, older parents or a lot of luggage are usually better off hiring a car with a driver.
