Flying to the Northern Areas costs a return fare of roughly PKR 30,000 to 90,000 to Skardu and PKR 40,000 to 65,000 to Gilgit in 2026, depending on the airline and how close to departure you book, plus ground transport once you land and a spare day or two in your plan for weather. It's the fastest way north by a wide margin, saving close to two days of driving each way, but it costs more per person than the road and carries its own risk: cancellations.
This sets out the actual costs of flying for a Northern Areas trip, not just the ticket price.
| Flying north, per person (2026) | Rough figure |
|---|---|
| Return fare, Islamabad–Skardu | About PKR 30,000–90,000 |
| Return fare, Islamabad–Gilgit | About PKR 40,000–65,000 |
| Flight time | About 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Excess baggage | About PKR 250 per kg over the limit |
| Ground transport on arrival | A shared or hired car, priced separately |
| Buffer for a cancelled flight | At least one extra night's rooms and meals |
Fares: Skardu has more competition than Gilgit
Skardu is served by PIA, Airblue and AirSial, and having three carriers on the route keeps fares more competitive and more variable. One-way Airblue fares in 2026 ran from around PKR 13,000 at the cheaper end to over PKR 20,000, and last-minute or peak-season return fares across all three airlines ranged from about PKR 51,000 to nearly PKR 90,000. Booking ahead and avoiding the peak summer weeks brings the cost down substantially from the top of that range.
Gilgit is served only by PIA, and one-way fares in 2026 ranged from roughly PKR 18,000 to 28,000 depending on the date and how far ahead you booked, putting a return fare at somewhere between PKR 36,000 and 56,000. Without competing carriers, fares on this route move less with demand but also rarely fall as low as the cheapest Skardu deals.
Both routes run at around fifteen flights a week between them in season, with a flight time of about an hour to an hour and a quarter, against 16 or more hours by road.
Excess baggage
Domestic excess baggage on PIA was charged at PKR 250 per kilogram for the first 1 to 20 kg over the free allowance, with a flat PKR 5,000 charge beyond 20 kg, under rates introduced in 2025 and still the structure to expect in 2026; confirm the current figure with PIA or your airline before you fly. This matters more on a Northern Areas trip than most domestic routes, because trekking gear, winter clothing and camera equipment push weight up quickly. Weigh your bags before you leave home and decide what to cut rather than finding out at the check-in counter.
Ground transport on arrival
A flight gets you to Gilgit or Skardu, not to Hunza, Fairy Meadows or Deosai. Budget separately for:
- A shared van or hired car from the airport to your hotel.
- A car and driver for the rest of the trip, since flying removes the option of using your own car once you're there. Our guide to a car with driver for the Northern Areas has day rates.
- A local jeep for anywhere a car can't reach, priced separately again.
Flying without arranging onward transport in advance can leave you stuck at a small airport with limited options, especially outside peak season.
The cancellation buffer
Flights to Gilgit and Skardu are genuinely weather-dependent; both airports sit among high mountains, and flights are routinely delayed or cancelled when cloud cover or wind rules out a safe approach. This is the real cost of flying that a fare comparison misses: build in at least one, ideally two, spare days at either end of the trip, because a cancelled flight means another night's rooms and meals, not just a rebooked ticket. Travelling in peak summer reduces but doesn't remove this risk.
Flying versus driving: the real comparison
Flying costs more per person and adds cancellation risk, but it also means nobody in your group drives the Karakoram Highway, including the stretch between Mansehra and Chilas. As of September 2026 the UK government advises against all travel on that section of road, though Pakistani travellers use it regularly; flying is the way to see the Northern Areas without using it at all. In summer, the Babusar Pass gives drivers a route that avoids that stretch too. For a full comparison of the two options, see our guide to flying or driving to the Northern Areas.
Is it worth it?
For a short trip, older or nervous travellers, or anyone who would rather not spend two days each way on the road, yes. For a group of four sharing fuel in one car, driving is considerably cheaper, and flying only makes sense if the time saved matters more than the cost difference. Our nine-day Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour and seven-day Skardu and Deosai tour both work whether you fly in or drive, with ground transport arranged either way.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fly to the Northern Areas?
Roughly PKR 30,000 to 90,000 return to Skardu and PKR 40,000 to 65,000 return to Gilgit in 2026, depending on the airline, how far ahead you book and the season.
Which airlines fly to the Northern Areas?
PIA, Airblue and AirSial fly to Skardu; only PIA flies to Gilgit. Having three carriers on the Skardu route tends to keep fares more competitive.
How often are Gilgit and Skardu flights cancelled?
Often enough that experienced travellers always keep a spare day or two either side of a flight. Both airports depend on clear weather for a safe approach, and cloud or wind causes routine delays and cancellations, especially outside summer.
Is flying cheaper than driving?
No, not per person, especially if you'd otherwise share fuel and a car with three or four others. Flying saves time, not money, and you still need ground transport once you land.
What should I do if my flight is cancelled?
Keep flexible onward plans and enough budget for an extra night. Airlines will rebook you on the next available flight, which in bad weather may be a day or more later, so don't schedule a flight home for the same evening as your only day in the mountains.
