Renting a car in Islamabad with a driver costs roughly PKR 5,000 to 8,000 a day for a Corolla or Civic in 2026 for city use, more for newer models, and PKR 10,000 to 18,000 or more for an outstation day such as Murree or Naran. Vans and SUVs cost more. These figures come from rental companies' own websites, and they vary by operator, season and how far you go, so treat them as a guide and get the price in writing.
Islamabad is where most trips north begin, and hiring a car and driver for a few days is the most common way to travel for families who do not want to drive the mountain roads themselves. This guide covers what daily and trip rentals really involve, what they cost, what self-drive requires, and how to avoid the usual surprises.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Sedan with driver, city day (2026) | About PKR 5,000 to 8,000 |
| Newer Civic or SUV (Sportage) | About PKR 12,000 |
| Hiace van with driver | About PKR 10,000 to 16,000 |
| Prado or Fortuner | About PKR 12,000 to 18,000 |
| Outstation days | Often PKR 10,000 to 18,000 for a sedan; check what is included |
| Self-drive documents | CNIC and driving licence at minimum |
| Prices change | Yes: confirm the total, the km limit and fuel before you pay |
How much does it cost to rent a car in Islamabad?
Two operators' published rate cards, checked in 2026, show the pattern. One lists a Corolla at PKR 6,000 a day, a Civic X at PKR 8,000, a newer Civic or Kia Sportage at PKR 12,000, a Hiace Grand Cabin at PKR 14,000 to 16,000, a Prado at PKR 18,000 and a Fortuner at PKR 16,000, all with a chauffeur. The other lists a Corolla at PKR 5,000, a Civic at PKR 6,000, a Honda BR-V at PKR 6,000, a Hiace at PKR 10,000 and a Prado at PKR 12,000.
A third site lists cheaper economy cars from about PKR 3,500 to 5,000 a day, and much higher rates for some self-drive sedans and SUVs. That spread is normal. The difference is usually the model year, the operator's overheads, and whether fuel and the driver's expenses are in the price.
Two things to remember about these numbers:
- Advertised rates are starting points. They are rarely a quote for your trip.
- A cheap day rate can hide extras: fuel, the driver's food and accommodation on overnight trips, tolls, parking and extra hours.
What is the difference between a daily rental and an outstation trip?
A daily rental is normally for use in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with a set number of hours or kilometres. It suits airport transfers, a day of sightseeing, meetings and shopping.
An outstation rental is for a trip outside the city, such as Murree, Nathia Gali, Naran or Hunza. Operators quote it at a higher daily rate. One operator's card shows outstation rates for a Corolla from PKR 6,000 to 12,000, for a Civic X from PKR 10,000 to 14,000, and for a Hiace from PKR 15,000 to 40,000 depending on the distance. Very few give a firm number for a long northern trip until you give dates and a route.
Ask the operator these questions before you agree:
- Is the price per day or per 24 hours, and what is the daily kilometre limit?
- Are fuel, tolls and parking included?
- Who pays for the driver's meals and room on overnight trips?
- What happens if the trip runs a day longer because of a landslide or road closure?
- Is the car suitable for the road? A sedan is fine to Murree and Naran; it is a poor choice for rough tracks such as Fairy Meadows' jeep road.
Should you hire a driver or drive yourself?
For city use, either works. For the north, we would advise a driver for most first-time visitors. A local driver knows where the road is broken, how to pass trucks on a single-lane section and when to stop, and it means nobody in your group arrives tired after ten hours at the wheel. For a longer look at this choice, see our guide to a car with a driver for the northern areas.
Self-drive rental exists, but it is less common and less standardised. One operator lists a valid CNIC and driving licence as the documents required. Others do not publish their terms, so expect to be asked about a security deposit or a guarantor, and ask about them directly. Our self-drive rental guide for the northern areas covers deposits, insurance and what to check on the car.
What to check before you hand over any money
- Ask for the car's registration and the driver's name and licence before you leave, not at the door.
- Look at the tyres, including the spare, and test the brakes and air conditioning. A car that seemed fine in the city may struggle on a long climb.
- Agree the itinerary in writing, including the pick-up time, the places you will stop and the return time.
- Confirm what "with driver" means. Some quote the driver's day only; others add night charges.
- Pay a small advance, not the whole amount, and pay the balance at the end. Confirm the total by message.
- Keep the operator's number and the vehicle's number plate on your phone in case of a breakdown.
Read our guide to choosing a tour operator if you are unsure who to book with; the same checks apply to car hire firms, and see our note on getting around Islamabad for cheaper options in the city.
Weekly and monthly rentals
If you are staying more than a few days, ask for a weekly or monthly rate. One operator publishes monthly rates of PKR 150,000 for a Corolla, PKR 200,000 for a Civic and PKR 450,000 for a Prado, with fuel not included and taxes extra. Another says that weekly and monthly bookings get discounted rates without giving figures. That works out well below the daily rate, but only if you will use the car most days.
The same rules apply. Get the kilometre limit, the driver's working hours and who pays for fuel written down before you start, because monthly contracts are where a vague agreement costs the most.
Airport pickups and one-way trips
Several operators advertise airport transfers from Islamabad International Airport, and it is worth arranging one in advance if you land late at night or with family. Ask for the fixed price, the driver's name and a way to confirm the pick-up on arrival.
One-way trips, such as a car from Islamabad to Skardu or Gilgit that returns empty, may be priced as a round trip because the driver has to come back. Ask for the return charge to be stated separately so that you can compare it with a flight or a bus. Our guides to flights to Gilgit and Skardu and the Islamabad to Skardu road will help you compare.
Car hire or a tour package?
If you are heading north for a week, compare the cost of a car and driver, plus hotels and meals you arrange yourself, against a tour that bundles it. A package takes care of the route, hotels and the vehicle for you. Our Skardu and Deosai, Gilgit-Hunza and Neelum tours are the fixed-price alternative, and our trip planner helps you work out what you would need to book yourself.
For a shorter hop, a rental works well. Popular one-day and weekend trips from the capital are Murree, Nathia Gali, Taxila and Abbottabad.
Is it safe to take a rented car on any route from Islamabad?
Not every route. The UK government's advice (updated 22 September 2026) says not to travel to Swat, Peshawar and much of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and against all travel on the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas, and against all of Balochistan. The Azad Kashmir advice also covers most of the Neelum valley. Pakistani visitors do still travel in some of these areas, but ask the operator whether it will send a car and driver to a given route at all.
For a trip toward Hunza, Gilgit or Skardu, the Babusar route via Naran avoids the KKH stretch in summer, though it only opens seasonally. Check local news and police advice before setting out, and if you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's advice, because going against it can void your travel insurance.
Who car rental suits, and who it does not
Renting a car and driver suits families, groups of four to seven, and anyone with a fixed plan and a few days in the north. It gives you the freedom to stop where you like, at a fair price when split between people.
It suits you less if you are travelling alone or as a couple on a tight budget. Buses and shared vans to the north cost far less, and the city is easy to cover on ride-hailing apps. Skip the rental for a short city stay: metro, Careem and Uber will cost less than a day-rate car sitting outside your hotel.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rent a car in Islamabad per day?
About PKR 5,000 to 8,000 for a Corolla or Civic with a driver for city use in 2026, and PKR 12,000 or more for a newer model or SUV. Prices vary by operator and season.
Can I rent a car in Islamabad without a driver?
Yes, some firms offer self-drive, usually with a CNIC and a driving licence and often a deposit. Not all publish their terms, so ask before you book.
Is fuel included in the rental price?
Sometimes, sometimes not. Ask before you pay, and get the answer in writing.
Can I take a rental car to Murree or the northern areas?
Yes, in most cases, but at outstation rates. Confirm the route, the driver's charges and what happens if a road is closed.
Do I need a driving licence to hire a car with a driver?
No. When you hire a car with a driver, the driver holds the licence. You only need one for self-drive.
