Peshawar to Hunza Distance & Travel Time: Route & Cost Guide

A shorter starting point than most major cities — here's how to plan the Peshawar-to-Hunza road journey.

How Far Is Hunza from Peshawar?

Hunza sits roughly 750–800 km from Peshawar by road, making it one of the closer major-city starting points for a Gilgit-Baltistan trip, given Peshawar's own proximity to Islamabad.

Route Options

1. Drive or Bus via Islamabad

Peshawar to Islamabad: approximately 2.5–3 hours by road.
Islamabad to Gilgit: roughly 50–60 minutes by air, or 14–18 hours by road/overnight bus.
Gilgit to Hunza: a further 2.5–3 hours by road.

2. Full Road Journey

Peshawar → Islamabad → Mansehra → Besham → Chilas → Gilgit → Hunza, totaling roughly 18–22 hours of driving, typically split across two days with an overnight stop.

3. Fly from Islamabad

Given Peshawar's short distance to Islamabad, many travelers simply drive or bus to Islamabad first, then fly onward to Gilgit to save the bulk of the long-haul time.

Estimated Cost (Round Trip, Per Person)

Budget (bus the whole way): roughly PKR 22,000–32,000.
Mid-range (bus/drive to Islamabad, fly onward to Gilgit): approximately PKR 50,000–65,000.

Local Tips

Peshawar to Islamabad is a quick enough leg that combining it with a Gilgit flight is a genuinely efficient option for travelers with limited time.
If self-driving the whole route, an overnight stop in Besham or Chilas is standard rather than attempting the full distance in one day.
Fuel up before Chilas if driving, as options thin out further north.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Peshawar closer to Hunza than other major cities? Yes, notably closer than Karachi, Lahore, or Multan, given its proximity to Islamabad, the main gateway city for the north.

Should I fly any part of this route? Flying Islamabad-Gilgit is worth considering even for Peshawar-based travelers, given how much time it saves on the long middle stretch of the journey.

How long does the full drive take? Most self-drivers spread it across two days, with an overnight stop roughly at the halfway point.

Conclusion

Peshawar's relative proximity to Islamabad makes it one of the more convenient starting points for a Hunza trip — a short first leg followed by the same Gilgit-Hunza options available to travelers from the capital itself.