Rawalpindi to the Northern Areas Bus Ticket Price, Timings and Online Booking
Rawalpindi is where northern Pakistan’s bus network actually begins. Pirwadhai on the city’s western edge is the departure point for Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu, Chitral and the Kaghan valley, and it is a large, busy adda where knowing which counter you want matters as much as knowing which bus.
The short version: almost every northern service in Pakistan departs from Rawalpindi rather than Islamabad. Pirwadhai handles Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral and the long-haul north, Faizabad handles Murree and the Hazara routes, and a handful of operators run their own terminals elsewhere in the city.
How this page differs from the twin cities guide
The Islamabad and Rawalpindi guide covers which destinations have direct services and what they cost. This page is about navigating the terminals themselves: where Pirwadhai is, how it is laid out, which counter serves which operator, and what to do when you arrive at 4:00 AM. If you already know your route and just need to find the bus, start here.
Pirwadhai: what to expect
Pirwadhai General Bus Stand sits on the north western edge of Rawalpindi, on Main Pirwadhai Road. It is the largest intercity adda in the twin cities and the origin point for the Karakoram Highway.
Main Pirwadhai Road
North west of the city centre, well outside Saddar and a fair distance from Islamabad. Allow 30 to 45 minutes from central Islamabad and longer in traffic.
A cluster, not a building
Pirwadhai is an area of adjoining operator offices and yards rather than a single terminal hall. Companies have their own counters, some inside other operators’ premises.
Early evening
The northern departures cluster between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM, so that window is the busiest. Arrive with margin rather than cutting it fine.
The thing that catches people out
Several operators do not have their own building. Hindukush Express, for instance, runs its Chitral counter from inside the Crystal Line Travels premises on Main Pirwadhai Road, which is itself a separate bus company. Ask for your operator by name rather than looking for a sign, and confirm the counter before your departure day if you can.
Which operator, which counter
These are the operators running northern services from Rawalpindi, with the contact numbers to confirm your boarding point before you set out.
| Operator | Serves | Where | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mashabrum Tours | Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu, Gahkuch | Pirwadhai Bus Stand | 0312-9511195 |
| K2 Movers | Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu, Ghizer | Pirwadhai | 051-5163314 |
| NATCO | Gilgit and the China corridor | Own terminal | Gilgit 05811-920820 |
| Hindukush Express | Chitral | At Crystal Line Travels, Main Pirwadhai Road | 0300-0341203 |
| Crystal Lines | 14 routes, Punjab and KP | Main Pirwadhai Road | 051-5492503 |
| Hazara Movers | Abbottabad, Mansehra, Balakot | Pirwadhai | 0333-7877887 |
| Faisal Movers | Naran, Kaghan, Swat, Kalam, Murree | Chungi 26 and Faizabad | 111-22-44-88 |
| Motorway Express | Peshawar, Swat, Saidu Sharif, Abbottabad | Opposite New Khan Adda | 0311-0222266 |
Two of these do not sell online
K2 Movers takes bookings by phone or at the counter only, and NATCO sells at its terminal. Mashabrum Tours is the one Gilgit-Baltistan operator bookable through Bookme, which in July and August is worth more than the small fare difference. If you are travelling in season, secure the seat before you plan anything else.
Northern destinations served from Rawalpindi
Fares are the lowest published on each corridor and apply equally whether you board in Rawalpindi or Islamabad, since these are the same services.
| Destination | Journey | Fare from | Departs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbottabad | 2h | Rs 550 | Pirwadhai, through the day |
| Murree | 2h | Rs 700 | Faizabad, roughly hourly |
| Mansehra | 2h 30m | Rs 700 | Pirwadhai, through the day |
| Muzaffarabad | 3h to 4h | Rs 800 | Pirwadhai and local stands |
| Rawalakot | 4h | Rs 900 | Pirwadhai and Kahuta Road |
| Balakot | 3h 30m | Rs 1,100 | Pirwadhai |
| Mingora and Swat | 5h | Rs 1,500 | Pirwadhai, G-8, Chungi 26 |
| Dir | 6h to 7h | Rs 1,800 | Pirwadhai, mornings |
| Kalam | 8h to 9h | Rs 2,400 | Faisal Movers terminals |
| Chitral | 12h to 14h | Rs 3,350 | Pirwadhai, 7 AM to 6 PM |
| Chilas | 12h to 14h | Rs 3,200 | Pirwadhai, evening |
| Naran | 7h to 8h | Rs 3,400 | Faisal Movers, seasonal |
| Gilgit | 16h to 18h | Rs 3,760 | Pirwadhai, 5 PM onward |
| Hunza and Karimabad | 19h to 21h | Rs 4,850 | Pirwadhai, evening |
| Skardu | 22h to 24h | Rs 5,200 | Pirwadhai, 6 PM onward |
Fares are indicative published prices and vary with class, operator and season. Kaghan valley services are seasonal. Confirm the live fare and the current road status at booking.
Rawalpindi’s other departure points
Not everything leaves from Pirwadhai, and going to the wrong stand can cost you an hour across the city.
Faizabad
On the Islamabad Highway between the two cities and served by the metro. The Murree Hi-roof service runs from here, along with Faisal Movers departures.
Chungi 26, Peshawar Road
The Faisal Movers terminal, with separate lounges for economy, standard, executive and business class, and a free shuttle linking it to other terminals.
Opposite New Khan Adda
Motorway Express boards here, near Kainat Travels, running luxury coasters to Peshawar, Swat, Saidu Sharif and Abbottabad.
Own operator terminals
Daewoo Express, Skyways and NATCO all run their own terminals across the city. NATCO is the one for Gilgit and the Khunjerab corridor.
The rule for Rawalpindi
Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral mean Pirwadhai. Murree means Faizabad. Faisal Movers means Chungi 26. Everything else, check the address printed on your ticket, because the city has no single central bus station and the stands are a long way apart.
At the terminal and on the road
- Allow 30 to 45 minutes from central Islamabad to reach Pirwadhai, and longer in evening traffic when the northern buses are loading.
- Ask for your operator by name. Several counters sit inside other companies’ premises and there is no central information desk.
- Confirm the counter by phone before departure day if you can, particularly for operators without their own building.
- Northern services leave between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM. Arrive with margin rather than cutting it fine in that window.
- No northern corridor has sleeper berths. Sixteen to twenty four hours to Gilgit or Skardu is seated throughout.
- No Pakistani coach has an onboard washroom, and stops are further apart on the Karakoram Highway than on the motorway.
- Carry your CNIC and keep it accessible, since checks are more common on northern routes.
- Returning services arrive early. Coming back from Gilgit or Skardu often means reaching Pirwadhai before dawn, so arrange onward transport in advance.
If you are connecting from another city
Travellers arriving from Lahore, Multan or Karachi should aim to reach Rawalpindi in the morning. The northern departures are in the early evening, so a morning arrival connects and an evening arrival costs you a night. Pirwadhai is not somewhere you want to be waiting twelve hours with luggage.
Rawalpindi to Northern Areas FAQs
Where do northern buses leave from in Rawalpindi?
Pirwadhai General Bus Stand on Main Pirwadhai Road, for Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu, Chitral and the Hazara routes. Murree services run from Faizabad, and Faisal Movers boards at Chungi 26 on Peshawar Road.
Is Pirwadhai a single terminal building?
No. It is an area of adjoining operator offices and yards rather than one hall, and several companies run counters inside other operators’ premises. Ask for your operator by name rather than looking for a sign.
Is it cheaper to board in Rawalpindi than Islamabad?
No. These are the same services and the fares are quoted from either city interchangeably. The difference is convenience: most northern operators actually depart from Rawalpindi, so boarding here saves the journey out from Islamabad.
How long does it take to reach Pirwadhai from Islamabad?
Around 30 to 45 minutes from the central sectors, and longer in evening traffic. Since northern buses load between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM, that is exactly when the roads are busiest, so allow more time than you think you need.
Which northern operators can I book online?
Mashabrum Tours through Bookme, and Faisal Movers and Motorway Express through their own platforms. K2 Movers takes bookings by phone or at the counter only, and NATCO sells at its terminal, which matters in peak season.
What time do Gilgit and Skardu buses depart?
Between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM. K2 Movers runs 5:00 PM for Gilgit and 6:00 PM for Skardu, and Mashabrum departs from around 9:00 PM. The timing puts the hardest mountain sections overnight.
Routes, operators and other hubs
Rawalpindi routes
Operators at Pirwadhai
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