Skardu is one of the few big mountain destinations in Pakistan you can reach in about an hour from Islamabad. That makes “by-air” tours hugely popular — and for many travellers, they are the right choice. But mountain flying has a catch. Here is how we help our travellers decide.
In this guide
The two options in brief
| Compare | By air | By road |
|---|---|---|
| Travel time from Islamabad | About 1 hour flying | Usually 2 days (around 620 km) |
| Reliability | Weather-dependent; delays and cancellations happen | Reliable, though landslides can cause delays |
| Scenery on the way | Spectacular views of the Karakoram from the plane | The Karakoram Highway and the Indus gorge |
| Holiday days used for travel | Very few | Around four (two each way) |
| Best for | Short trips, elderly travellers, couples | Families and groups, road-trip lovers, tighter budgets |
Why fly?
- Time: A five-day trip by air gives you four full days in Baltistan. By road, the same trip would leave you only one or two.
- Comfort: No 10-hour driving days — a big plus with elderly parents or anyone prone to motion sickness.
- The view: On a clear day the flight passes some of the highest mountains on earth.
The catch: weather and cancellations
Flights to Skardu operate under visual conditions in mountainous terrain. When cloud or wind is unsuitable, flights are delayed or cancelled — sometimes for a day or more, and more often in spring and winter. Airlines also change schedules seasonally.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t fly. It means you should plan for it.
How we plan by-air tours
- Keep a spare day at the end of the trip, especially before an international flight or an important commitment.
- Have a road plan B. If the outbound flight is cancelled, we can switch to driving the same day; if the return is cancelled, the vehicle is ready to drive you back.
- Flexible hotel bookings on the first and last nights where possible.
- Morning flights when available, as they are more likely to operate.
- Light, flexible luggage — keep medicines and essentials in your hand luggage.
Why drive?
- Reliability: Your dates are under your control.
- Experience: The Karakoram Highway and the Skardu Road along the Indus are journeys in their own right.
- Flexibility: Combine Skardu with Hunza, Fairy Meadows or Astore — or enter over the Deosai Plains in summer.
- Group economics: For larger families and groups, a shared vehicle often costs less than many airfares.
The best of both: fly one way
Many of our travellers fly in and drive out (or the reverse). You save a day or two and still see the Karakoram Highway. It also reduces the risk of a cancelled return flight ruining your plans.
Which should you choose?
- 5–6 days, couple or older travellers: fly, with a spare day.
- 7–8 days, family or friends: drive, or fly one way.
- Combining with Hunza: drive in via Hunza and fly out of Skardu.
- Winter: flying is easiest, but cancellations are more frequent — allow two spare days.
See sample plans in our Skardu itinerary guide, or explore by-air tours.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Islamabad to Skardu?
About an hour.
How often are Skardu flights cancelled?
It depends on season and weather. Cancellations are more common in spring and winter. Always keep a spare day.
Can I fly to Hunza?
There is no airport in Hunza itself. Fly to Gilgit and drive about 2–3 hours to Karimabad.
