A northern areas trip from Faisalabad is a manageable one-day drive to Islamabad, around 325 km and about 4 hours via the M-3 and M-2 motorways, which makes a 5 to 7 day circuit realistic even for a long weekend extended by a couple of days. Leaving early is what makes the difference: getting through Faisalabad's own traffic and onto the motorway before the morning rush saves more time than anything else on the route.
This guide covers the best departure timing, the drive to Islamabad, and which northern circuits suit a 5 to 7 day trip from here.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Faisalabad to Islamabad | About 325 km, roughly 4 hours via M-3 and M-2 |
| Best departure time | Before 6am, to clear Faisalabad and reach the motorway ahead of the morning rush |
| Suggested trip length | 5 to 7 days total, including the Faisalabad legs |
| Best-fit circuits | Naran and Babusar for a shorter trip; Hunza or Skardu for a fuller one |
Getting out of Faisalabad and onto the motorway
The drive itself, once you're on the M-3 and M-2, is straightforward: about 325 km and 4 hours to Islamabad. The variable is getting out of Faisalabad. Leaving before 6am clears the city's own morning traffic and the truck traffic that builds on the approach roads later in the day. Leaving mid-morning or later on a weekday can add well over an hour before you've even reached the motorway.
Fill up before you leave Faisalabad; motorway service areas along the M-3 and M-2 are reliable for fuel and food, but starting with a full tank avoids any dependence on them.
Which circuit suits 5 to 7 days from here
5 days: Naran and Babusar Top. A shorter northern circuit that doesn't need a full week. Drive to Naran via Islamabad and Balakot, spend two nights around Naran and Babusar, and return the same way. This suits a first trip north or a group without the time for Gilgit-Baltistan.
7 days: Hunza, as far as Khunjerab. With a full week, Hunza becomes realistic if you keep the driving days tight: one day to Islamabad, one and a half to two days on to Hunza via the Karakoram Highway or Babusar, two to three days based in Karimabad or Gulmit, and the return. Our Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour runs this as a nine-day set departure from Islamabad, which is worth comparing against a tighter self-drive version if seven days feels ambitious.
7 days, alternative: Skardu and Deosai. Similarly tight but workable: a day to Islamabad, a day on to Skardu by road or an hour by flight, three to four days around Skardu, and the return. Our Skardu and Deosai tour covers this over seven days from Islamabad, which lines up closely with a 7-day trip that adds a day at each end for Faisalabad.
Should you fly instead of drive from Faisalabad?
Faisalabad's domestic flight options are limited and don't cover the northern destinations directly, so flying means driving to Islamabad or Lahore anyway to catch a connecting flight north. For most Faisalabad travellers, driving the whole way to Islamabad, then choosing road or flight for the northern leg from there, is simpler than trying to fly from Faisalabad itself.
Is it safe?
As of September 2026 the UK government advises against all travel on the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas, through Besham and Dasu. In summer, the route over Babusar Pass avoids that stretch. If you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's current advice before travelling, since going against it can affect your travel insurance.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Faisalabad to Islamabad?
About 4 hours for roughly 325 km, via the M-3 and M-2 motorways, assuming you're clear of Faisalabad's own morning traffic.
What time should I leave Faisalabad for a northern areas trip?
Before 6am if possible. Clearing the city and reaching the motorway ahead of the morning rush saves more time than anything else on the route.
Can I do Hunza in 7 days from Faisalabad?
It's tight but workable if the driving days are kept efficient: roughly a day to Islamabad, a day and a half to two days on to Hunza, two to three days there, and the return.
Is there a flight from Faisalabad to the northern areas?
Not directly. Faisalabad's domestic schedule doesn't reach Gilgit-Baltistan, so flying means connecting through Islamabad or Lahore, which for most travellers is no simpler than driving straight to Islamabad.
What's a good shorter option if a week is too long?
A 5-day trip to Naran and Babusar Top keeps the driving manageable and doesn't require entering Gilgit-Baltistan at all, making it a good first northern trip from Faisalabad.
