The main Rawalpindi to Gilgit bus is NATCO, the Gilgit-Baltistan government's transport company, which runs overnight coaches from the Pir Wadhai bus terminal in the late afternoon and evening. A seat was listed at about PKR 5,500 one way in August 2026, and the ride takes roughly 18 to 20 hours on the Karakoram Highway when the road is clear. Private operators, among them Mashabrum Tours and Silk Route, run similar overnight services from Pir Wadhai.
This guide compares the operators, explains how to book, what the night on the road is like, and when the bus is and isn't the right choice.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Main operator | NATCO (Northern Areas Transport Corporation) |
| Others | Mashabrum Tours, Silk Route; Faisal Movers in some seasons |
| Rawalpindi terminal | Pir Wadhai bus terminal |
| Departures | Mostly overnight; NATCO has run coaches at around 5, 7 and 9 pm |
| Journey time | Roughly 18 to 20 hours, longer when the road is blocked |
| Fare | About PKR 5,500 one way on NATCO (August 2026 listings) |
| Booking | NATCO online and by app, at the terminal, or by phone |
| Arrives in Gilgit | NATCO terminal in Jutial |
Which companies run buses from Rawalpindi to Gilgit?
NATCO has run passenger coaches between Rawalpindi, Gilgit and the upper Karakoram Highway since the 1970s and is the largest transport company in Gilgit-Baltistan. It is owned by the government and is the most established operator on the route. Its fleet on this route includes Yutong and Daewoo coaches.
Mashabrum Tours runs Daewoo coaches from Pir Wadhai to Gilgit, and on to Hunza and to Gahkuch in Ghizer. Its Gilgit office is near the NATCO terminal.
Silk Route is a Gilgit-Baltistan transport company that also runs coaches north from Pir Wadhai.
Faisal Movers, the big Punjab coach company, has run Gilgit and Hunza services in summer, some of them via Naran and the Babusar Pass rather than the lower KKH. Whether it is running, and from which of its terminals, varies by season, so check with the company.
NATCO and the private coaches compared
| NATCO | Mashabrum Tours | Silk Route | Faisal Movers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves from | Pir Wadhai | Pir Wadhai | Pir Wadhai | Its own terminal; check |
| Buses | Yutong and Daewoo | Daewoo | Ask when booking | Daewoo |
| Booking | Online, app, terminal, phone | Terminal, phone, some booking sites | Terminal, phone | Online and terminal |
| Also serves | Hunza, Sost, Skardu | Hunza, Gahkuch, Skardu | Skardu | Naran, Hunza, Skardu |
In practice the differences between operators matter less than the difference between individual buses. A newer coach with working air conditioning and reclining seats makes the night far easier than an older one on the same route. When you book, ask which bus is running that night, and read recent reviews rather than old ones.
We would start with NATCO. It is the longest-established operator on the route, it runs all year apart from the Eid holidays, and it has the widest network if you are carrying on beyond Gilgit.
Fares and how to book
NATCO's Rawalpindi to Gilgit fare was listed at about PKR 5,500 one way in August 2026, for both its Yutong and Daewoo services. Fares have risen with fuel prices several times, and older figures of PKR 3,000 to 4,500 that still appear online are out of date. Private operators' listed fares in 2025 and 2026 have been in the same range or a little lower. Treat these as a guide and confirm when you book.
Ways to book:
- Online or by app. NATCO sells seats through its own booking app and through Bookme, paid by card, JazzCash, Easypaisa or bank transfer. You choose your seat.
- At Pir Wadhai. You can often buy on the day, but a seat is safer booked a day or more ahead, especially in summer, around Eid and on long weekends.
- By phone. NATCO's Rawalpindi office is on 051 9334556, as listed on the NATCO website.
Carry your CNIC. Foreign nationals should carry their passport and visa and a stack of photocopies, because the crew has to hand one in at checkposts along the way.
What the overnight journey is like
The coaches leave Pir Wadhai in the late afternoon and evening and follow the Karakoram Highway north through Besham, Dasu and Chilas. You cross Kohistan in the dark and, if all goes well, reach Gilgit around midday or in the afternoon of the next day.
A few things to expect:
- Frequent stops. Meal stops at roadside restaurants, tea breaks, and police checkposts along the way. Sleep comes in pieces.
- A cold night. Between the air conditioning and the mountain air, the coach can get cold. Keep a warm layer and a shawl in your hand luggage, not in the hold.
- Seating. Women travelling on their own are normally seated next to other women; families and couples sit together. Say so when you book.
- Delays. A landslide, a construction closure near Dasu or a checkpoint hold-up can add hours. On 25 September 2026, a landslide after heavy rain blocked the KKH at Besham and left passengers stranded on both sides.
- Arrival. NATCO's Gilgit terminal is in Jutial, on the main road into the city, and taxis are easy to find in Gilgit. Our guide to hotels in Gilgit covers where to stay.
What to carry on the bus
- A warm layer, a small pillow and an eye mask
- Earplugs, since the horn and the stops carry on through the night
- Water and snacks; meal stops are at the driver's pace, not yours
- A power bank, because charging points can't be relied on
- Cash for food and tea on the way
- Medicine for motion sickness if anyone needs it; the Kohistan bends are relentless
Is the bus safe?
Most coach journeys on this route are simply long and uncomfortable. But be clear-eyed about the road. In December 2023 gunmen attacked a passenger coach near Chilas that was travelling from Ghizer towards Rawalpindi, killing ten people; the security convoys that had escorted coaches through that area had been stopped shortly before. In May 2024 a passenger bus went off the KKH into a ravine near Chilas before dawn, killing 20.
The UK government currently advises against all travel on the KKH between Mansehra and Chilas, which is the stretch the coaches cross at night. Overseas visitors should know that their own government may advise the same and that it can affect travel insurance. For everyone: choose an established operator, wear a seatbelt where there is one, and check local news and the latest road situation on the day. Our guide to Karakoram Highway road status explains where to look.
Bus, car or plane?
Take the bus if you are travelling alone or as a couple on a tight budget, or you want to arrive without having driven. For one or two people, a NATCO seat costs a fraction of the fuel for a car, and it saves a hotel night each way. Our travel guide covers what else to plan for in the north.
Drive or hire a car if you are a family or group, want to stop where you like, or would rather cross Kohistan in daylight. Our guide to driving from Islamabad to Gilgit covers the route and the overnight stops.
Fly if your time is short and you can keep a spare day for cancellations. PIA's flight from Islamabad takes a little over an hour; see our guide to the Islamabad to Gilgit flight.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the bus fare from Rawalpindi to Gilgit?
NATCO's fare was listed at about PKR 5,500 one way in August 2026. Private operators' fares have been similar or a little lower. Fares change with fuel prices, so confirm when you book.
How long does the bus take from Rawalpindi to Gilgit?
About 18 to 20 hours on the Karakoram Highway when the road is clear. Landslides and construction closures can add several hours.
Where does the NATCO bus leave from in Rawalpindi?
From the Pir Wadhai bus terminal. Mashabrum Tours and Silk Route also leave from Pir Wadhai.
What time does the Rawalpindi to Gilgit bus leave?
NATCO's coaches run overnight and have left at around 5, 7 and 9 pm. Check the current timings when you book.
Can I book the NATCO bus online?
Yes. NATCO sells seats through its own app and through Bookme, and you can pay by card or mobile wallet. You can also book at Pir Wadhai or by phone.
Is there a daytime bus from Rawalpindi to Gilgit?
Most coaches travel overnight, though private operators have listed morning departures at times, so ask when you book. To see the whole road in daylight, drive or hire a car with a driver and break the trip in Besham or Chilas.
