Planning a trip to Skardu and wondering about the drive? Islamabad to Skardu by road is roughly 630 to 640 km and takes about 18 to 24 hours, along one of the most spectacular mountain highways on earth. There are two main routes – the year-round Karakoram Highway and the scenic, summer-only Babusar Pass – plus a one-hour flight if you would rather skip the drive. Here is everything you need to plan the journey.
Islamabad to Skardu at a glance
- Distance by road: approximately 630 to 640 km
- Driving time: around 18 to 24 hours (best split over two days)
- Distance by air: about 318 km, roughly a 1-hour flight
- Routes: Karakoram Highway (year-round) or Babusar Pass (summer only)
- Best season for the drive: May to October
Route 1: The Karakoram Highway (year-round)
This is the dependable, all-season route and the one most transport services use outside summer:
Islamabad → Hazara Motorway (M-15) → Mansehra → Besham → Dasu → Chilas → Jaglot → Jaglot-Skardu Road (S-1) → Skardu.
You join the famous Karakoram Highway (N-35) after Mansehra and follow the Indus River for hours through dramatic gorges. Watch for construction patches around the Dasu Dam project and possible landslides during the monsoon. Besham and Chilas are the usual fuel, food and overnight stops.
Route 2: Via Babusar Pass (summer only)
In summer, many travellers take the more scenic Kaghan-Babusar route:
Islamabad → Mansehra → Balakot → Naran → Babusar Top → Chilas → Jaglot → Skardu.
Babusar Top sits above 4,000 metres and offers breathtaking views, but the pass is only open roughly from late May or June to September/October and can close without notice due to snow, rain or landslides. Security officials often stop vehicles from crossing after around 5:00 PM, so plan to reach Babusar early in the day. This route is beautiful but not reliable in shoulder months or winter – the Karakoram Highway is the safer bet then.
The final leg: Jaglot to Skardu
Both routes converge near Jaglot, where you leave the KKH and turn onto the newly upgraded Jaglot-Skardu Road (S-1). This final stretch is about 256 km and takes roughly 4 to 5 hours, running alongside the Indus with superb mountain views for much of the way.
Prefer to fly?
If a two-day drive sounds like a lot, airlines fly direct from Islamabad to Skardu in about an hour. Flights are almost always scheduled in the morning, when mountain visibility and winds are most stable, and they offer stunning aerial views of Nanga Parbat and the Karakoram. The catch: Skardu Airport is highly weather-dependent, and same-day cancellations are common – so always build a buffer day into your plans, especially if returning by air.
Should you break the journey?
Yes. Driving 18 to 24 hours straight on mountain roads is exhausting and risky. Most experienced travellers split the trip over two days, with an overnight stop in Naran, Besham or Chilas. This keeps driving hours manageable, avoids fatigue on blind mountain bends, and makes the journey genuinely enjoyable rather than an endurance test.
Road tips for the drive
- Never drive at night on the mountain sections – there is little lighting and heavy cargo traffic.
- A sedan is fine on the main carpeted highways, but you will want a 4×4 for off-road spots like Deosai or Basho.
- Check road and weather conditions before you set off, especially for Babusar and during monsoon.
- Carry buffer days in your itinerary for possible flight cancellations or road delays.
- Fuel up at Besham, Chilas and Gilgit, and keep some snacks and water in the vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Skardu from Islamabad by road? About 630 to 640 km, depending on the route and your exact starting point.
How long does the drive take? Roughly 18 to 24 hours in normal conditions, which is why most people split it over two days.
Is the Islamabad to Skardu road safe? The main highways are fully carpeted and used by all kinds of vehicles, but they are mountain roads with blind turns and construction zones – drive carefully, only in daylight, and consider a reputable driver.
Is Babusar Pass open all year? No. It is a summer-only route, generally open from around June to September/October and closed by snow in winter.
Plan your Skardu trip
Once you have reached Skardu, the adventures begin. Start with our Marsur Rock tour guide, see the best places to visit in Skardu, check the best time to visit, or message us on WhatsApp to plan your trip.
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