Skardu is most probably among the most economical tourist destinations in Pakistan. To explain exaggeratedly the cost of a Trip to Skardu, we are going to categorize cost into travelling cost and Hosteling cost.
Cost of Traveling
Mobility costs can break up further to get a deep and accurate analysis of trip costs.
- Traveling to Skardu
- Traveling within Skardu City
To Skardu
The cost of traveling to Skardu from either of the big city of Pakistan is pretty normal. Two different ways are traveling:
- By Air travelling cost
- via Road Travelling cost – Public Transport/Private Car
By-air traveling Cost
In the current time, byair travelling cost of a Trip to Skardu is the cheapest and easiest way to opt. PIA flights are operating to Skardu from Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Karachi, and Faisalabad. The flight ticket cost is around 12,000 to 14,000 from Karachi based on the availability of seats. It is around 8,000 to 10,000 from Islamabad. The ticket cost is revolving around these figures, which is not expensive.
| Destination | From | Fare (Aprox.) |
| Skardu | Karachi | 14000 |
| Skardu | Lahore | 10000 |
| Skardu | Multan | 11000 |
| Skardu | Faisalabad | 10000 |
| Skardu | Islamabad | 9000 |
By Road Travelling – Public Transport/Private Car
Public transport usually operates from Pirwadai-Rawalpindi to Skardu. There are two major options for travelers; a comfort Car service and a coaster bus service.
The fare of 2D cars from Islamabad/Rawalpindi to Skardu is 5,000 to 6,000 rupees. The majority of 2D car drivers love to drive via Babusar road in summer. A car takes less than 17 hours to reach Skardu from Islamabad or Rawalpindi.
Public transport will cost you very little. A single-person fare is around 2500 to 3000 via bus to Skardu. The health of buses and coasters is satisfactory but not good. Most of the driving machines have no AC and all you need to do is to grab the window side seat.
More interestingly, a private car will cost five times less than a mode of public transport. A car having a fuel average of 15 liters will drain a total of 45 liters of fuel till Skardu from Islamabad or Rawalpindi. If we take 119/ltr cost, then it will cost you 5400 rupees. The best mean to reduce the cost of a Trip to Skardu.
| Destination | Bus/Car | Fare |
| Islamabad to Skardu | Bus | 2500/3000 |
| Islamabad to Skardu | Car | 5500 |
| Islamabad to Skardu | Private | fuel cost only |
Highly recommended to top up the fuel tank and take your private car as your trip companion to Skardu. A domestic car usually accommodates 4 persons with enough luggage. It’s going to be the most economical means to explore the mountainous region.
Traveling within Skardu
The best and topmost destinations of Skardu are laying around 100km radius. The most challenging for domestic tourists are the traveling cost within the premises of the Baltistan region. It’s really important to clear an important thing once to all, that Skardu is a city of Baltistan region.
No structure of public transport offers an hourly service among the villages of Baltistan. Tourists and travelers must have to rent a car to travel from destination to destination.
I am considering the costs for a mediocre traveler. It will cost approximately 35,000 to 40,000 to explore all these destinations such as Kharmang waterfalls, Deosai, Kachura lakes, Shigar valley, and Khaplu valley in a rented car.
The same cost will shrink to below 10,000 for a tourist along with his car.
A wise piece of advice a must say is to contact a traveling agency which operates in the Skardu region. Most of the tour companies charge 15,000 to 30,000 to showcase all major destinations of Baltistan within a weekly trip. The cost varies depends on the quality of the vehicle plus hotels. For more detail, read a complete fare book of travelling to and within the Skardu.
Hoteling cost for a tourist in Skardu
The Hoteling industry is just flourishing in the Baltistan region. Multi-range hotels are available in Skardu and nearby locations. The cheapest hotels are starting from 500 rupees per bed without a meal and the range goes up to 40,000 per night.
Conclusion
The cost of a Trip to Skardu in the peak summertime for a week is around 40,000 to 60,000 rupees for a domestic traveler. A privately car-owned travel group of 4 people can shrink expenses to less than 15,000 rupees per head. The hotel cost range is from 500 to 40,000 rupees per night stay in Skardu depends on perks and facilities.
