NATCO Ticket Price, Bus Timings, Online Booking & Contact Number
The NATCO ticket price runs from about Rs 1,200 on short Gilgit-Baltistan routes to Rs 9,500 for the long Karachi run. As the government owned Northern Areas Transport Corporation, it is the backbone of road travel along the Karakoram Highway and the only operator running a scheduled bus service across the border into China.
Short answer: NATCO is the practical way to reach Gilgit-Baltistan by road. Islamabad or Rawalpindi to Gilgit starts at Rs 3,760 in a Luxury AC coach, Islamabad to Skardu at about Rs 4,200, and short hops within the region from Rs 1,200. Fares are seasonal, and the Karakoram Highway is the constraint rather than the price.
NATCO ticket price list for popular routes
The NATCO ticket price list covers routes almost no private operator matches, connecting Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu and Chilas to Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Multan and Karachi. Fares vary with season and availability more than on any other network in the country.
| Route | Journey time | Class | Ticket price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karachi to Gilgit | 36h+ | Luxury AC | Rs 9,500 |
| Multan to Gilgit | 24h+ | Luxury AC | Rs 6,500 |
| Islamabad to Skardu | 18h 00m | Luxury AC | Rs 4,200 |
| Islamabad to Gilgit | 15h 00m | Luxury AC | Rs 3,760 |
| Rawalpindi to Gilgit | 15h 00m | Non-AC | Rs 2,900 |
| Rawalpindi to Chilas | 11h 00m | Luxury AC | Rs 2,600 |
| Gilgit to Skardu | 6h 00m | AC Coaster | Rs 1,400 |
| Gilgit to Hunza | 2h 30m | AC Coaster | Rs 1,200 |
| Gilgit to Sost | 4h 00m | Coaster | Rs 1,500 |
Fares are indicative published prices and change with season and availability. Karakoram Highway conditions affect both timings and service. Your live, confirmed fare appears on the seat map before payment.
Why NATCO prices differ from the rest of the market
NATCO is a state corporation rather than a commercial operator, and it exists to keep Gilgit-Baltistan connected rather than to compete on the motorway corridors. That shows in the pricing: the Islamabad to Gilgit fare is modest for a fifteen hour mountain journey, and the short regional routes within the north are cheaper than anything a private company could sustain. It also shows in the fleet, which mixes modern luxury coaches with older non-AC buses on the same route map.
NATCO bus classes and what each fare includes
NATCO bus classes are built around terrain rather than luxury. Full size coaches run the long routes from the plains, while coasters handle the narrow mountain roads within Gilgit-Baltistan where a full coach cannot go.
Luxury AC Bus
2 + 2The top tier on the long routes from Rawalpindi and beyond.
- Air conditioning and heating
- Reclining seats for overnight travel
- Used on Gilgit, Skardu and Karachi runs
- The class most travellers should book
Non-AC Bus
2 + 2The budget option on the same long corridors.
- Around Rs 800 below the AC fare
- Fine in spring and autumn
- Hard work in summer heat on the plains
- Same route, same journey time
AC Coaster
MinibusSmaller vehicles for the mountain roads within the region.
- Gilgit to Skardu, Hunza and Sost
- Suited to narrow Karakoram sections
- More frequent than the big coaches
- Book ahead in tourist season
Non-AC Coaster
MinibusThe cheapest way to move around Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Local and short distance routes
- Basic but frequent
- Used heavily by residents
- Limited luggage space
Which NATCO class should you book?
For Rawalpindi to Gilgit, take the Luxury AC coach. The journey is fifteen hours through the Karakoram, much of it overnight, and the roughly Rs 860 difference from the non-AC fare is the best value decision on this network. Within Gilgit-Baltistan the coasters are usually your only option anyway, and the AC version is worth having in summer. Non-AC on the long plains section is genuinely uncomfortable between May and September.
The NATCO bus to China via the Khunjerab Pass
NATCO operates a scheduled cross border bus service from Gilgit and Hunza into China, running through the Sost border post and over the Khunjerab Pass to Tashkurgan. No private Pakistani operator runs anything comparable, and it is the only regular public transport link between the two countries.
Sost to Tashkurgan
The service climbs from Sost to the Khunjerab Pass, the highest paved border crossing in the world, then descends into Xinjiang. It is a long day rather than a quick hop, and the altitude is genuinely significant for anyone unaccustomed to it.
Not a year round service
The Khunjerab Pass closes for winter, typically from around late November until spring, and the crossing is snowbound in between. Check current status before planning anything around it, since dates shift with conditions each year.
Visa and border formalities
A valid Chinese visa is required in advance and immigration is processed at Sost, not at the pass itself. Fares and requirements change, so confirm directly with NATCO on the Gilgit helpline before travelling rather than relying on published information.
Worth knowing before you plan around it
This service is a genuine curiosity and a practical link for traders, but it is not a route to book casually. Seasonal closures, border procedures and altitude all matter, and schedules are less predictable than anything on the motorway network. Treat it as a journey to research properly rather than a bus to turn up for.
NATCO bus timings and departure frequency
NATCO bus timings on the long northern routes are built around overnight travel, with departures from Rawalpindi in the late afternoon and evening so coaches clear the Karakoram Highway sections in daylight the following morning. Regional coasters run through the day.
Rawalpindi departures
Afternoon and eveningTimed for a morning arrival in Gilgit after roughly fifteen hours. The main block for travellers heading north.
Regional coasters
Morning onwardGilgit to Hunza, Skardu and Sost run through the day, thinning out considerably after mid afternoon.
Long haul south
Limited dailyKarachi and Multan services run far less frequently than the Rawalpindi corridor. Book well ahead.
Winter
Reduced serviceSnow and landslides affect the Karakoram Highway from late autumn. Schedules change and routes can suspend at short notice.
Weather matters more than the timetable
On the motorway corridors a published schedule is close to a promise. On the Karakoram Highway it is an intention. Landslides, snow and road repairs regularly add hours to the Rawalpindi to Gilgit run, and can close sections entirely. If you are connecting to a flight or have a fixed commitment, build in a full day of margin rather than a few hours, and treat the return leg with the same caution.
NATCO contact number, helpline and booking offices
The NATCO contact number for bookings and schedule enquiries is 05811-920820, based in Gilgit. As a government corporation it operates differently from the private companies, with booking offices rather than a national call centre.
Helpline and booking
NATCO is the Northern Areas Transport Corporation, a government owned operator headquartered in Gilgit-Baltistan. Because schedules shift with road conditions, calling ahead is more important here than on any other network.
- Main helpline, Gilgit
- 05811-920820
- Rawalpindi terminal
- Pirwadhai booking office
- Online booking
- Bookme and partner platforms
- Cross border enquiries
- Gilgit office, in advance
Numbers and schedules change, particularly in winter. Confirm directly before travelling, especially for Skardu, Sost and the China service.
Check road conditions
Call ahead in autumn, winter and early spring to confirm the Karakoram Highway is open on your section. Services suspend at short notice after landslides, and the Gilgit office has the most current picture.
Counter and online
Tickets are available at NATCO booking offices and through online platforms. In peak tourist season, between roughly May and September, booking ahead for Gilgit and Skardu is genuinely necessary rather than optional.
Travelling with gear
Trekking and climbing gear is common on these routes and generally accommodated, but coaster services within the region have limited space. Mention bulky items when booking rather than at boarding.
NATCO terminals and booking offices
NATCO runs around seven terminals, concentrated in Gilgit-Baltistan with southern anchors at Rawalpindi, Multan and Karachi. The network shape reflects its purpose: connecting the north to the rest of the country rather than serving the plains.
Gilgit
- Main terminal and head office
- The hub of the entire network and the departure point for Hunza, Skardu, Sost and the China service. Helpline 05811-920820.
Rawalpindi
- Pirwadhai
- The southern gateway for the Karakoram routes, and where most travellers from Islamabad start their journey north.
Skardu
- City terminal
- Serving Baltistan and the approach to the Karakoram peaks. Connected to Gilgit and direct to Islamabad.
Chilas
- Karakoram Highway stop
- Midway point on the Rawalpindi to Gilgit run and a terminal in its own right.
Hunza and Sost
- Northern network
- Serving upper Hunza and the Sost border post, the last stop before the Khunjerab Pass.
Karachi and Multan
- Southern long haul
- The far ends of the network, connecting Sindh and south Punjab directly to Gilgit without a change.
How to book NATCO tickets online
Booking NATCO tickets online takes about two minutes through a ticketing platform, though for the Skardu and cross border services calling the Gilgit office directly is often the more reliable route. A CNIC number is required for every passenger.
Search your route and date
Enter departure city, destination and travel date. Northern routes have fewer daily departures than the motorway corridors.
Choose AC or non-AC
On the long Rawalpindi run the AC coach is worth the difference, particularly between May and September.
Pick your seat
Select from the seat map and enter CNIC details. Mention trekking or climbing gear at this stage.
Pay and get your e-ticket
Pay by JazzCash, Easypaisa, card or bank transfer. Confirm road conditions before travel day.
Booking tips specific to NATCO
- Book well ahead between May and September. Tourist season fills the Gilgit and Skardu coaches quickly.
- Call before you travel in winter. Karakoram Highway closures suspend services at short notice.
- The China service needs planning, not booking. Visa, season and border procedure all apply before a ticket does.
- Leave a full day of margin if you have a flight or fixed commitment after the journey.
Payment methods
- JazzCash
- Easypaisa
- Visa & Mastercard
- Bank transfer
- Cash at booking office
NATCO vs private operators on the northern routes
Comparing the NATCO ticket price against private operators is difficult for a simple reason: on most of its network there is no private alternative. Where they do overlap, NATCO is usually cheaper and rougher.
Worth choosing when
- You are travelling anywhere in Gilgit-Baltistan, where alternatives are scarce
- You want a direct coach from Karachi or Multan to Gilgit without changing
- You need the Skardu, Sost or Hunza routes, which private operators largely skip
- Budget matters and the non-AC fare saves you meaningful money
- You are making the cross border journey to China, where it is the only option
Look elsewhere when
- Your journey is on the motorway corridors, where private operators are far better
- You want a modern fleet and staffed premium terminals
- You need a dependable schedule for a tight connection
- You expect the onboard service level of a Daewoo or Faisal Movers coach
- You want app based booking and instant customer support
The bottom line
NATCO is infrastructure rather than a brand. On the Karakoram Highway and across Gilgit-Baltistan it is not competing with private operators, it is the reason the region has scheduled road transport at all. Judge it on that basis: the fleet is mixed, the schedules bend to the weather, and the fares are fair for what the terrain demands. For anywhere south of Rawalpindi, book somebody else.
Compare northern routes and fares.
Check live faresNATCO ticket price FAQs
What is the NATCO ticket price?
NATCO fares run from about Rs 1,200 on short Gilgit-Baltistan routes to Rs 9,500 for Karachi to Gilgit. Islamabad or Rawalpindi to Gilgit starts at Rs 3,760 in a Luxury AC coach, and Islamabad to Skardu is around Rs 4,200. Prices change with season and availability.
What is the NATCO contact number?
The main helpline is 05811-920820, based at the Gilgit head office. NATCO operates booking offices rather than a national call centre, so the Gilgit number is the most reliable point of contact, particularly for schedule changes and the cross border service.
Does NATCO run a bus to China?
Yes. NATCO operates a cross border service from Gilgit and Hunza through the Sost border post and over the Khunjerab Pass to Tashkurgan in China. It is the only scheduled public bus link between the two countries. A Chinese visa is required in advance, and the pass closes for winter, so confirm current status with the Gilgit office before planning.
How much is the Islamabad to Gilgit bus?
The starting fare from Islamabad or Rawalpindi to Gilgit is about Rs 3,760 in a Luxury AC coach, with the non-AC option closer to Rs 2,900. The journey takes roughly fifteen hours along the Karakoram Highway, and departures are timed for overnight travel with a morning arrival.
Is NATCO government owned?
Yes. NATCO stands for the Northern Areas Transport Corporation and is a government owned operator. That shapes both its purpose and its character: it exists to keep Gilgit-Baltistan connected to the rest of Pakistan, which is why it serves routes no commercial company would run and prices them accessibly.
What bus classes does NATCO offer?
Four: Luxury AC buses and non-AC buses on the long routes from the plains, plus AC and non-AC coasters for the mountain roads within Gilgit-Baltistan. The fleet runs to more than 200 vehicles. Coasters are used where the Karakoram roads are too narrow for a full coach.
Does weather affect NATCO services?
Considerably, more than on any other network in Pakistan. Snow, landslides and road repairs on the Karakoram Highway regularly add hours to journeys and can suspend routes entirely, particularly between late autumn and spring. Always call the Gilgit office before travelling in those months.
Should I book NATCO in advance?
Yes, especially between May and September when tourist demand for Gilgit and Skardu is heavy and departures are limited. Even outside that window the northern routes run far fewer daily services than the motorway corridors, so a sold out coach can mean waiting a day rather than an hour.
Can I take trekking gear on a NATCO bus?
Generally yes, and it is common on these routes given where they go. Full size coaches handle it comfortably. The coasters used within Gilgit-Baltistan have limited luggage space, so mention bulky items when booking rather than turning up with them.
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