Route · Sadiqabad to Gilgit on the Karakoram Highway

Sadiqabad to Gilgit Bus Ticket Price, Online Booking, Service Timing

Gilgit is about 1,300 km from Sadiqabad, and the trip is really two journeys: an overnight coach to Rawalpindi and then a long mountain run with NATCO or Mashabrum Tours up the Karakoram Highway. NATCO also runs a Karachi to Gilgit service that travels up the country; ask whether it can take passengers from Sadiqabad.

Ticket price from
Rs 9,400Two stages
Distance
about 1,300 kmVia Rawalpindi and the Karakoram Highway
Journey time
About 24 hoursBreak in Rawalpindi
Departures
Two long legsFrom Sadiqabad

Short answer: Sadiqabad to Gilgit costs about Rs 9,400 and takes about a day in total. Ride Daewoo or Royal Movers to the twin cities, then NATCO, whose June 2026 twin cities to Gilgit fares start around Rs 5,500. Rest a night in Rawalpindi if you can.

Fares by operator

Sadiqabad to Gilgit ticket price by operator

What each operator charges from Sadiqabad to Gilgit, and where you board.

Sadiqabad to Gilgit fares by operator
Bus operatorClassBoards in SadiqabadJourney timeTicket price
Coach to Rawalpindi, then NATCOTwo stagesKLP Road, Sabz MandiAbout 24hAbout Rs 9,400
Coach to Rawalpindi, then Mashabrum ToursTwo stagesGT Road terminalAbout 24hAbout Rs 9,700

Fares are indicative published prices and vary with class, season, fuel adjustments and demand. Your live, confirmed fare appears on the seat map before payment.

NATCO for the mountain leg

NATCO, the government owned northern transport company founded in 1974, runs the main Rawalpindi to Gilgit coaches, with fares from around Rs 5,500 in June 2026.

NATCO also operates Karachi to Gilgit coaches, which pass up the main corridor; it is worth asking whether they pick up in Sadiqabad.

Before you book

Karakoram Highway or Babusar Pass

Two roads north, depending on season.

Karakoram Highway

When
All year.
Tip
Longer, via Besham and Chilas.

Babusar Pass

When
Summer only.
Tip
Via Naran; shorter in season.

NATCO closures

When
NATCO usually suspends service for Eid.
Tip
Check before travelling.

How to plan it

Travel to <strong>Rawalpindi first</strong>, rest, then take <strong>NATCO</strong>.

The real choice

Which is the best bus from Sadiqabad to Gilgit

Three options for three different priorities.

Main operator

NATCO

Government owned, since 1974.

From about Rs 5,500 onward
Alternative

Mashabrum Tours

Also runs Rawalpindi to Gilgit.

Check fare
Ask first

NATCO Karachi service

May pick up on the main corridor.

Check

Our verdict

<strong>Coach to Rawalpindi, a night’s rest, then NATCO</strong>.

Schedule

Sadiqabad to Gilgit bus timings

Plan for two days.

Day one

Evening

Overnight coach to Rawalpindi.

Day two

Afternoon or evening

NATCO departs for Gilgit.

Summer

May to September

Babusar route open.

Eid

Check

NATCO usually closes for Eid.

Mountain safety

Landslides can close the Karakoram Highway after rain. Keep a spare day in your plans.

Where to board

Sadiqabad and Gilgit terminals

Where to board in Sadiqabad and where you arrive in Gilgit.

Sadiqabad

Daewoo Express
KLP Road near Sabz Mandi, Tehsil Sadiqabad. Helpline 111-007-008.
Royal Movers
Main GT Road, next door to the Waraich Express terminal.

Gilgit

NATCO
Gilgit terminal.
Mashabrum Tours
Gilgit office.
Onward
Hunza and Skardu.
The road

The road from Sadiqabad to Gilgit

To Rawalpindi, then the Karakoram Highway.

  1. SadiqabadDeparture, km 0.
  2. RawalpindiChange, km 800.
  3. BeshamKKH, km 1,000.
  4. Chilaskm 1,180.
  5. GilgitArrival about a day after departure, km 1,300.

The Karakoram Highway

The KKH follows the Indus gorge north, one of the most dramatic roads in the world.

Bus or flight

Sadiqabad to Gilgit: bus or flight

How the realistic options compare on this route.

01Recommended

Bus

Rs 9,400about, two stages

Journey time
About 24h
Frequency
Daily
Arrives
Gilgit

The practical route.

Best for most.

02Flights

Fly from Islamabad

Check airlineweather dependent

Journey time
About 1h flight
Frequency
Weather permitting
From
Islamabad

Flights are often cancelled for weather.

If time is short.

Cheapest way to travel from Sadiqabad to Gilgit

About Rs 9,400 by coach via Rawalpindi.

Common questions

Sadiqabad to Gilgit bus FAQs

What is the Sadiqabad to Gilgit bus ticket price?

About Rs 9,400 in total: about Rs 3,900 to Rawalpindi plus about Rs 5,500 with NATCO. Confirm on the day.

How long does the bus from Sadiqabad to Gilgit take?

About about a day, including the change for roughly 1,300 km via rawalpindi and the karakoram highway.

Is there a direct bus from Sadiqabad to Gilgit?

Not a published one. Change in Rawalpindi, or ask whether NATCO’s Karachi service picks up in Sadiqabad.

What is NATCO?

The Northern Areas Transport Corporation, a government owned company founded in 1974.

Does NATCO run during Eid?

NATCO usually suspends service for Eid; check before travelling.

Related routes and operators

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Routes from Sadiqabad to Gilgit compared, with no booking fee added to the published fare.

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