Multan to Skardu Distance & Travel Time: Route & Cost Guide

How Far Is Skardu from Multan?

Skardu sits roughly 1,250–1,350 km from Multan by road, connecting via Islamabad and onward through Gilgit on the Skardu Road (JSR).

Route Options

1. Drive or Fly to Islamabad, Then Continue

• Multan to Islamabad: approximately 6–7 hours by road, or about 1 hour by air.
• Islamabad to Skardu: roughly 50–60 minutes by air, weather permitting, or 20–24 hours by road if flying isn't an option.

2. Full Road Journey

Multan → Islamabad → Mansehra → Besham → Chilas → Gilgit → Skardu, totaling roughly 28–32 hours of driving, typically spread across 2–3 days minimum.

Estimated Cost (Round Trip, Per Person)

• Budget (bus/road the whole way): roughly PKR 35,000–48,000.
• Mid-range (fly Multan-Islamabad, fly onward to Skardu): approximately PKR 85,000–110,000.

Local Tips

• Flying the Multan-Islamabad leg saves considerable time before the longer, more weather-dependent journey into Baltistan even begins.
• Build extra buffer time into your schedule, since this route stacks two separate long segments (Multan-Islamabad, then Islamabad-Skardu) end to end.
• If self-driving, plan realistically for 3 days, with overnight stops roughly at Islamabad/Rawalpindi and again near Chilas or Gilgit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is flying the entire way from Multan realistic? Yes, with a Multan-Islamabad flight followed by an Islamabad-Skardu flight — though this depends on both legs aligning well with weather and schedules.

How long should I budget for the full road trip? Most self-drivers plan for a minimum of three days each way given the total distance and mountainous terrain.

Is there a shorter route that avoids Islamabad? No — Islamabad remains the practical hub for all routes into Gilgit-Baltistan from central and southern Punjab.

Conclusion

Skardu from Multan is one of the longer domestic journeys in Pakistan, and breaking it into two clearly planned legs — Multan to Islamabad, then Islamabad to Skardu — with realistic buffer time for weather makes the trip far more manageable than attempting to plan it as a single continuous journey.