Islamabad to Nathia Gali Bus Ticket Price, Online Booking, Timing
The Islamabad to Nathia Gali ticket price starts at about Rs 600 on a direct Hiace from Faizabad and rises to roughly Rs 1,300 if you route through Murree or Abbottabad. The journey covers around 87 km of mountain road and takes two and a half hours.
Short answer: the Islamabad to Nathia Gali bus ticket price is about Rs 600 on the direct Hiace vans from Faizabad, or roughly Rs 1,300 in total if you go via Murree or Abbottabad and change. There is no branded coach service on this route, and the journey takes about two and a half hours on mountain road.
Islamabad to Nathia Gali ticket price by option
Nathia Gali is a hill resort rather than an intercity destination, so the Islamabad to Nathia Gali ticket price is set by vans and local coasters rather than by any national operator.
| Bus operator | Class | Route | Journey time | Ticket price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Hiace from Faizabad | Hiace van, not air conditioned | Faizabad to Nathia Gali via the Murree road | 2h 30m | Rs 600 |
| Murree service plus local van | Coaster then Hiace, two legs | Islamabad to Murree, then Murree to Nathia Gali | 3h | Rs 900 |
| Abbottabad service plus Suzuki | Coach then Suzuki, two legs | Islamabad to Abbottabad, then Abbottabad to Nathia Gali | 3h 30m | Rs 1,300 |
| Private car or taxi | Whole vehicle, seasonal rates | Islamabad to Nathia Gali direct | 1h 45m | Quoted per vehicle |
Fares are indicative published prices and vary with vehicle type, season and demand. Van and Suzuki fares on this corridor are set at the stand rather than published, and rise sharply in peak season.
There is a direct van, and most people do not know it
The standard advice for Nathia Gali is to go to Murree and change, which is why so many travellers assume there is no direct option. There is. Hiace vans run from the Faizabad terminal straight to Nathia Gali, and they are both cheaper and quicker than the two leg route. They are not air conditioned and they leave when they fill rather than to a timetable, but on a two and a half hour mountain run neither of those is a serious objection.
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Three ways up to Nathia Gali
All three work, and which is best depends on when you are travelling and how much luggage you have.
Direct Hiace from Faizabad
The option most people miss. Leaves when full from the Faizabad terminal and runs straight up the Murree road to Nathia Gali. Not air conditioned, and little space for luggage.
From Rs 600
Via Murree
Murree services run constantly, so if no direct van is filling you can always get most of the way and pick up a local van or taxi for the last 35 km.
From Rs 900
Via Abbottabad
Longer and dearer, but it approaches from the Hazara side on a road that is generally cleared faster after snow. Worth knowing in December and January.
From Rs 1,300
Our verdict
Take the direct Hiace from Faizabad and stop overthinking it. It is the cheapest and the fastest, and the two leg routes exist mainly because people do not know the direct van runs. The exception is deep winter, when approaching from Abbottabad is the more reliable road even though it costs twice as much.
Islamabad to Nathia Gali timings
There is no published timetable on this route. Vans depart when they fill, which in season means often and out of season means you should travel early.
Morning
6:00 AM to 11:00 AMThe best window in every season. Vans fill quickest and the mountain section is done in good light.
Afternoon
12:00 PM to 4:00 PMStill workable in summer. In winter this is the last band worth attempting.
Evening
After 5:00 PMSparse and not recommended. Local transport up the Galiyat road stops well before dark.
Peak season
June to SeptemberWeekend traffic on the Murree road can double the journey time. Travel early or midweek if you can.
Islamabad and Nathia Gali stands
Faizabad is the terminal to know for the whole Galiyat region.
Faizabad
- Direct Hiace vans
- Faizabad terminal, under and around the metro station, on both sides of the road.
- Murree services
- Also from Faizabad, and far more frequent if the direct van is not filling.
- Abbottabad services
- From Faizabad, G-8 Markaz and Pirwadhai, depending on the operator.
Nathia Gali
- Set down
- On the main bazaar road through the resort, close to the hotels.
- Onward connections
- Donga Gali, Ayubia, Khaira Gali, Changla Gali and Abbottabad all run locally.
- Worth knowing
- Return transport thins out in the afternoon, so plan the trip down.
The road to Nathia Gali
Eighty seven kilometres, most of it climbing, which is why a short distance takes two and a half hours.
- Islamabad and Rawalpindi Departures from Faizabad, best taken in the morning.
- Murree expressway climb The first hour, shared with the Murree hill traffic and slow at weekends.
- Kuldana and Kaladana Where the Galiyat road branches off the Murree road.
- Changla Gali and Khaira Gali The ridge road through the Galiyat, with set-down points at each resort.
- Nathia Gali Arrival two and a half to three hours after leaving the twin cities.
If you are stopping at Murree on the way, the Islamabad to Murree fares cover the first leg, and Islamabad to Abbottabad covers the Hazara approach.
Season and weather
Nathia Gali is open year round, but the road conditions and the traffic change completely by season.
By season
- April to October
- The easiest time to travel, with vans running frequently and the road clear.
- June to September
- Peak season. Weekend traffic on the Murree road can add an hour or more each way.
- December to February
- Open most of the time, though heavy snow closes the road until it is cleared. The Abbottabad approach is usually the more reliable one.
Practical notes
- Getting back
- Return transport thins out through the afternoon, so agree the trip down before you need it.
- Luggage
- Hiace vans have very little space. Travel light or book a vehicle.
- Nearby
- Donga Gali, Ayubia and the Mushkpuri trail are all short local hops from the resort.
Islamabad to Nathia Gali FAQs
Is there a direct bus from Islamabad to Nathia Gali?
Yes. Hiace vans run direct from the Faizabad terminal to Nathia Gali for around Rs 600. They are not air conditioned and leave when full, but they are both cheaper and quicker than going via Murree.
What is the Islamabad to Nathia Gali fare?
About Rs 600 on the direct van, around Rs 900 if you go via Murree and change, and roughly Rs 1,300 via Abbottabad. There is no branded coach service on this route.
How long does it take?
Two and a half to three hours for 87 km, because almost all of it is climbing. Weekend traffic on the Murree road in summer can add an hour.
Is the road open in winter?
Usually. Heavy snow closes it temporarily and it is cleared as quickly as possible. In December and January the approach from Abbottabad is generally the more reliable of the two.
Should I go via Murree or via Abbottabad?
Murree is quicker and more frequent in summer. Abbottabad is longer and dearer but comes up the Hazara side, which is the safer bet in snow.
Can I visit Ayubia and Donga Gali from Nathia Gali?
Yes, both are short local hops along the Galiyat ridge road, together with Khaira Gali and Changla Gali. Local transport runs through the day and stops well before dark.
Related routes and operators
Galiyat and Hazara routes
Operator fare lists
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