How far is Hunza from your city? The answer depends on where you start, which route you take and which part of Hunza you are heading to. Almost every road trip to Hunza runs through Islamabad and then up the Karakoram Highway (KKH), so the easiest way to work out the distance is to add your distance to Islamabad to the Islamabad to Hunza stretch.
This guide gives approximate road distances and driving times to Hunza from Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Multan, Peshawar and Rawalpindi/Islamabad, explains why different websites show different numbers, and shows how to estimate the distance from any other city.
Distance to Hunza from Major Cities at a Glance
All distances below are approximate road distances to Karimabad, the main base for visitors in Hunza.
| Starting city | Distance to Islamabad | Approx. distance to Karimabad | Estimated driving time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rawalpindi / Islamabad | Next to each other | 600–700 km | 14–18 hours |
| Peshawar | About 160–185 km | About 800 km | 16–21 hours |
| Faisalabad | About 330 km | About 950 km | 17–22 hours |
| Lahore | About 375 km | About 1,000 km | 18–23 hours |
| Multan | About 500 km | About 1,150 km | 20–26 hours |
| Karachi | About 1,400 km | About 2,000 km | 2–3 days of road travel |
Driving times are estimates without long stops. Rest, meals, traffic and road conditions on the KKH add to the total, so most travellers from far cities split the trip over two or more days.
How These Distances Are Worked Out
Almost all road routes to Hunza pass through Islamabad and then follow the Karakoram Highway north through Abbottabad, Besham, Chilas and Gilgit before reaching Aliabad and Karimabad. We use two figures:
- City to Islamabad: the usual motorway or highway distance.
- Islamabad to Karimabad: about 600–700 km, as covered in our Islamabad to Hunza distance guide.
Adding them gives a practical estimate. The totals are rounded, because the exact figure changes with your starting point in the city and your route.
Why Different Websites Show Different Distances
If you search for the distance to Hunza, you will see very different numbers for the same city. There are a few reasons:
- Hunza is a region, not a point. Karimabad, Aliabad, Attabad Lake and Passu are different distances from the same starting city.
- Routes differ. The main route follows the KKH through Besham and Chilas. A seasonal route through Naran and Babusar Pass can be shorter, but it is usually closed by snow in winter and is not suitable for every vehicle.
- Starting points differ. For northern cities such as Peshawar, going through Hasan Abdal and Abbottabad can be shorter than driving into Islamabad first.
📝 Note
Treat any distance, including ours, as an estimate. Confirm your exact route on a navigation app before you leave, and check current KKH road conditions.
Hunza Distance from Lahore
Lahore is about 375 km from Islamabad on the M-2 motorway. Adding the 600–700 km KKH stretch gives roughly 1,000 km to Karimabad, or around 18–23 hours of driving. Most travellers drive or take a bus to Islamabad on the first day and continue north the next morning, rather than attempting the whole trip in one go.
Hunza Distance from Karachi
Karachi is about 1,400 km from Islamabad by road, which puts Karimabad at roughly 2,000 km. That is a multi-day journey. Many travellers from Karachi fly to Islamabad, or to Gilgit when flights are operating, and cover only the final stretch by road.
Hunza Distance from Faisalabad
Faisalabad is about 330 km from Islamabad, and sources quote anywhere from roughly 320 to 340 km depending on the route. That makes the total about 950 km to Karimabad, with roughly 17–22 hours of driving.
Hunza Distance from Multan
Multan is about 500 km from Islamabad, so the total to Karimabad is about 1,150 km. Allow at least two days by road, and plan an overnight stop before you start up the KKH.
Hunza Distance from Peshawar
Peshawar is about 160–185 km from Islamabad on the M-1 motorway. Going through Islamabad, the total is about 800 km to Karimabad. A route through Hasan Abdal and Abbottabad can be shorter, so check your navigation app.
Hunza Distance from Rawalpindi and Islamabad
Rawalpindi and Islamabad are the usual starting point for the KKH. The distance to Karimabad is about 600–700 km, and the drive typically takes 14–18 hours. See our guide on how to reach Hunza from Islamabad to compare flying, driving and taking the bus.
How to Estimate the Distance from Any Other City
Not on the list? Use this simple method for cities such as Gujranwala, Sargodha, Mandi Bahauddin or Sialkot:
- Find the road distance from your city to Islamabad.
- Add roughly 600–700 km for Islamabad to Karimabad.
- Add about 100 km for Karimabad to Aliabad and Attabad Lake if your destination is further north, and more for Passu.
For example, a city 250 km from Islamabad is roughly 850–950 km from Karimabad. For the final stretch alone, see our Gilgit to Hunza guide.
Best Way to Travel to Hunza from a Far City
- By road: best if you want flexibility and have time. Plan overnight stops, with Chilas and Gilgit being common choices.
- By air plus road: flying to Islamabad, or to Gilgit when flights run, can save a large part of the journey. Flights to Gilgit depend on weather, so keep flexible dates.
- By bus: long-distance buses serve the northern routes. Routes, timings and fares change, so confirm with the operator before you plan around a departure.
💡 Local Tip
If you are coming from Karachi, Multan or Lahore, do not try to drive the whole way in one stretch. Break the trip into stages and start the KKH section early in the morning.
When Is the Best Time to Travel?
Road and weather conditions on the KKH change through the year, which affects how long the trip takes. Our best time to visit Hunza guide explains each season and month.
Plan Your Hunza Trip
- Prefer a ready-made trip? See the Karakoram Highway Overland Journey (7 days) or the Hunza Valley Cultural Tour (4 days).
- Want a private vehicle and driver? Browse our vehicle rentals and read the 4x4 rental guide.
- Need help planning dates and stops? Use the AI trip planner, or message our travel team on WhatsApp.
- Visiting from abroad? Read our Gilgit-Baltistan permits guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Hunza from Lahore?
About 1,000 km by road to Karimabad, which is roughly 18–23 hours of driving. Most travellers split the journey over two days.
How far is Hunza from Karachi?
About 2,000 km by road, which is a multi-day journey. Many travellers from Karachi fly to Islamabad, or to Gilgit when flights are available, and drive the rest.
How far is Hunza from Faisalabad?
About 950 km to Karimabad, with roughly 17–22 hours of driving.
How far is Hunza from Peshawar?
About 800 km through Islamabad. A route through Hasan Abdal and Abbottabad can be shorter.
How far is Hunza from Rawalpindi and Islamabad?
About 600–700 km to Karimabad, with a typical drive of 14–18 hours.
Is there a direct bus to Hunza?
Long-distance buses run along the KKH towards Gilgit and Hunza, and some services cover very long routes from southern cities. Schedules and fares change, so check with the operator directly.
Which airport is closest to Hunza?
Gilgit Airport is the nearest, followed by a road journey of about 2.5–3 hours to Karimabad. Islamabad is the main airport for onward road travel.
Final Thoughts
The road distance to Hunza ranges from about 600–700 km from Islamabad to around 2,000 km from Karachi. Whatever your starting city, plan the journey in stages, check road conditions before you set off, and give yourself extra time on the KKH. If you want help choosing a route or arranging transport, our team is happy to assist.