Public transport in the northern areas means shared Hiace vans, coasters and jeeps that run between towns once they fill up, rather than fixed timetables or ride-hailing apps. Between Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu and the smaller valleys off the main roads, this network of shared vehicles is how most local people travel, and it is a genuinely usable, cheap way for visitors to get around too, provided you are not in a hurry.
This guide covers what runs where, roughly what it costs, and where the system breaks down: the side valleys and jeep tracks that shared transport doesn't reach.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Main vehicle | Shared Hiace vans and coasters, plus shared jeeps on rougher roads |
| How they run | Depart once full, from a fixed stand, no set timetable |
| Gilgit to Karimabad (Hunza) | About 2 to 3 hours, a few hundred rupees a seat |
| Gilgit to Skardu | About 5 to 7 hours depending on the road |
| Ride-hailing apps | Do not operate in Gilgit-Baltistan or Chitral; Careem closed across Pakistan in 2025 |
| Best for | Solo travellers and budget trips between main towns, not tight schedules |
How shared transport actually works
Every town of any size in Gilgit-Baltistan has a transport stand, usually near the bazaar, where Hiace vans, Toyota Coasters and older wagons wait for passengers heading a particular direction. There is no printed timetable. A vehicle leaves when its seats are full, which can mean five minutes or an hour, and mornings are the reliable time to find one filling up quickly.
You pay per seat, not for the vehicle, and the fare is fixed for the route rather than negotiated, unlike a private taxi. Drivers and conductors are used to foreigners and out-of-town Pakistanis and will generally tell you honestly how full the van is and how long the wait is likely to be.
Getting between the main towns
- Gilgit to Karimabad or Aliabad (Hunza): shared vans run through the day along the Karakoram Highway, taking roughly two to three hours for a seat costing a few hundred rupees.
- Gilgit to Skardu: minibuses and shared cars cover the roughly 200-kilometre road in around five to seven hours depending on conditions, with vehicles leaving from Gilgit's main transport stand once full.
- Gilgit to Chilas: regular NATCO and private services run this stretch of the KKH; it is also the leg most affected by landslide closures, so build in spare time.
- Within Hunza: local vans and shared cars connect Karimabad, Aliabad, Gulmit and Passu, useful for day trips without hiring a private car.
For the longer haul from the plains into the north, our guide to public transport from Karachi to the northern areas covers the train-and-bus combination, and our driving on the Karakoram Highway guide covers the road itself if you are self-driving instead.
Shared jeeps for the rougher roads
Where the road turns to a jeep track rather than tarmac, shared Hiace vans stop and shared jeeps take over. Routes like Skardu to Khaplu, or the approach roads to Shimshal and some of the side valleys off the KKH, are typically served by older Toyota jeeps carrying passengers on bench seats in the back, often loaded with sacks of flour and other supplies as much as people. These leave less predictably than the van routes and can mean a longer wait, particularly outside the main summer season. Our jeep track safety guide covers what these roads are actually like to travel.
Taxis and hired cars
Every town has taxis, usually older sedans, that wait near the bazaar or bus stand and are hired for the whole vehicle rather than by the seat. There is no meter system; agree the fare before you get in. For a full day of sightseeing, or for a group that wants to set its own schedule, hiring a car with a local driver is more practical than shared transport, and our guide to hiring a car with a driver covers how that works and what it costs.
Where ride-hailing apps don't help
Careem shut down its ride-hailing operation across Pakistan in 2025, and apps such as InDrive and Yango, which do operate in cities like Islamabad and Lahore, are not generally available in Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral or the other northern valleys. If you are used to booking a ride from your phone, this is the biggest adjustment: in the north, transport means walking to the stand, asking around, or arranging a car through your hotel the evening before.
Who shared transport suits, and who it doesn't
Shared vans and jeeps suit solo travellers, students and anyone travelling on a tight budget who can accept some waiting and a fixed departure point rather than a fixed departure time. They do not suit a family with young children carrying a lot of luggage, anyone with a tight flight or bus connection to make, or a group wanting to stop for photos along the way. For those situations, a hired car or a place on an organised tour, such as our Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour, is the more comfortable choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fixed timetable for vans between Gilgit and Hunza?
No. Vehicles leave once they are full rather than at set times, though mornings usually have the shortest wait because that is when most people are travelling.
How much does a shared Hiace between towns cost?
Fares are inexpensive by international standards, typically a few hundred rupees for a seat on routes like Gilgit to Karimabad, and more for longer legs such as Gilgit to Skardu. Ask locally, since fares do change.
Do Careem or InDrive work in Gilgit-Baltistan?
No. Careem closed its ride-hailing service across Pakistan in 2025, and apps like InDrive do not generally operate outside the main cities, so they are not a reliable option in the north.
Can I reach Shimshal or other side valleys by shared transport?
Some of the more remote valleys are served by shared jeeps rather than vans, with less frequent departures. A hired jeep is more reliable if your schedule is tight.
Is shared transport safe for solo women travellers?
Shared vans and buses are used daily by local families and are a normal part of life in the north. As with any shared transport, sit near other passengers where possible and agree hired-taxi fares before getting in.
