The short version: getting from the US to Skardu
- Route: US → one stop in Istanbul, Doha, Dubai or Abu Dhabi → Islamabad → 1-hour flight to Skardu
- No nonstop flights run between the US and Pakistan
- Time: about 16–20 hours to Islamabad, then usually a night there. Plan on two days door to Skardu
- Cost: from about $1,000 round trip to Islamabad in economy, plus roughly $55–140 each way for Islamabad–Skardu
- Buffer: the Skardu flight cancels in bad weather. Leave at least one spare day before your flight home
- Before you go: e-visa, cash in US dollars, an unlocked phone and a plug adapter
Flights from the USA to Pakistan: the best layover cities
There are no nonstop flights between the US and Pakistan (Google Flights). Almost everyone flies one stop to Islamabad (ISB), the closest international airport to Skardu, with one layover in Turkey or the Gulf. Round-trip economy fares from New York start around $1,000 and rise in the June–August peak, which is also Skardu's high season.
| Layover in | Airline | Flies from (examples) | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Istanbul (IST) | Turkish Airlines | New York, Washington, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco | The most connections from New York, and the quickest at about 16 hours |
| Doha (DOH) | Qatar Airways | New York, Washington, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles | Frequent daily connections via Doha |
| Dubai (DXB) | Emirates | New York, Washington, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle | Also the only hub with a direct flight to Skardu (PIA, seasonal) |
| Abu Dhabi (AUH) | Etihad | New York, Washington, Chicago | Fewer daily options |
Most connections land in Islamabad late at night or in the early hours, after the day's Skardu flights have gone, so plan on a night in Islamabad. Lahore also has flights to Skardu if your routing lands there instead.
2026 note: the conflict involving Iran disrupted Gulf airspace for a period in the spring, and some expedition operators advised clients to connect through Istanbul rather than the Middle East (Explorersweb). Check the current situation with your airline when you book.
Islamabad to Skardu: the last leg (and the one that gets canceled)
The flight from Islamabad to Skardu takes about an hour and is one of the most scenic commercial flights anywhere, passing Nanga Parbat and the Karakoram. PIA, Airblue and AirSial fly the route, with most departures between about 6:00 and 10:30am. One-way fares run from about PKR 15,000 to over PKR 40,000 (roughly $55–140), highest in July and August.
The catch is reliability. Skardu relies on clear visibility through the mountains and flights cancel in poor weather, sometimes for several days in a row. The alternative is an 18–22 hour drive on the Karakoram Highway, normally split over two days. Our Islamabad to Skardu guide covers fares, cancellations and both road routes in detail.
The Dubai shortcut: flying direct to Skardu
PIA started the first international service into Skardu, from Dubai, in August 2023 and relaunched it in 2025 (Arab News). It runs as a seasonal summer route on a limited schedule. For Americans flying Emirates, it can mean skipping Islamabad altogether. Schedules change from year to year, so check PIA's timetable for your dates, and keep Islamabad as the backup.
A realistic travel plan from the US (don't skip the buffer day)
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Evening departure from the US |
| Day 2 | Connect in Istanbul or the Gulf; land in Islamabad late at night. Sleep near the airport or in the city. |
| Day 3 | Early-morning flight to Skardu (most leave before 10:30am). If it cancels, rebook the next morning or take the road. |
| Last days | Fly Skardu → Islamabad at least one day, ideally two, before your international flight. |
Pro tip: never book your flight home for the same day you fly out of Skardu. If the mountain weather socks in, you'll be glad you have the spare day.
With two travel days out and at least one buffer day back, a one-week Skardu trip needs about ten to eleven days away from home. Our 5-day Skardu itinerary fits neatly into that, and the best month to visit Skardu guide helps pick dates. For a K2 base camp trek, allow three weeks: see our K2 base camp trek guide.
Money in Skardu: why cash is king
Skardu runs on cash. Pakistan's currency is the rupee (PKR), at roughly PKR 280–285 to the US dollar in 2026; this site converts at PKR 283 = $1. Guesthouses, drivers, restaurants and the bazaar almost all want rupees in cash. A few upmarket hotels take cards, but do not count on it.
- Withdraw or exchange in Islamabad. There are bank ATMs in Skardu town, but few in Gilgit-Baltistan reliably accept foreign cards (Wikivoyage), and there are none on Deosai or the trek routes.
- Bring some US dollars as a backup, in crisp, undamaged bills. Licensed money changers in Islamabad give better rates than hotels.
- Tell your bank you are traveling to Pakistan so card payments and withdrawals are not blocked.
- Budget in rupees. Our Skardu trip cost calculator shows hotels, jeeps and food; for jeep day rates, see the taxi and jeep rental table.
Will your US cell phone work in Pakistan? SIMs and the PTA rule
Pakistan blocks phones that are not registered with its telecom regulator, the PTA. Visitors have two options:
- Use a Pakistani SIM without registering. An unregistered phone with a local SIM works for 60 days, then stops receiving service (PTA DIRBS). That covers most trips.
- Register it free for 120 days. Foreign visitors can temporarily register one phone, tax-free, for 120 days from their arrival date, paired with a Pakistani SIM in their own name.
Buy the SIM with your passport; shops usually verify it with a fingerprint scan. Your phone must be unlocked by your US carrier first. Around Skardu, SCOM has the widest coverage and is sold in the town bazaar; the national networks work in town but thin out in the valleys. US roaming also works in Pakistan but is expensive, so check your carrier's rate. Hotels, drivers and guides communicate almost entirely on WhatsApp.
Expect zero bars on Deosai, beyond Askole and in parts of Kharmang. Cell data in Gilgit-Baltistan has also been cut during protests in the past, so keep hotel and driver numbers written down.
Time difference and power plugs (pack an adapter)
| US time zone | Pakistan is ahead by (Mar–Nov) | Pakistan is ahead by (Nov–Mar) |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern (New York) | 9 hours | 10 hours |
| Central (Chicago) | 10 hours | 11 hours |
| Mountain (Denver) | 11 hours | 12 hours |
| Pacific (Los Angeles) | 12 hours | 13 hours |
Pakistan uses 230 V power with Type C and Type D sockets. Phone and laptop chargers labeled 100–240 V only need a plug adapter; US-only appliances such as some hair dryers also need a voltage converter. Power cuts happen in Skardu, so ask your hotel about backup power when you book; our hotel guide has options by budget.
Pre-trip checklist for Americans: 8 things to sort before you fly
- Passport valid six months past arrival, and a Pakistan e-visa granted before you fly: see our Pakistan visa guide for US citizens
- Enroll in STEP, the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, so the embassy can reach you with alerts
- Travel insurance that covers medical evacuation and, for Deosai or treks, the altitude you are going to
- US dollars in cash, in crisp, undamaged bills
- An unlocked phone for a Pakistani SIM, and WhatsApp installed
- A plug adapter for Type C and D sockets
- Several photocopies of your passport photo page and visa for checkpoints
- A buffer day at each end of the Skardu flight
For the US travel advisory, the Level 4 areas and embassy contacts, see is Skardu safe for Americans.
Skardu from the USA: FAQs
How do I get to Skardu from the United States?
Fly one stop to Islamabad, connecting in Istanbul, Doha, Dubai or Abu Dhabi, then take the one-hour domestic flight from Islamabad to Skardu. Most travelers spend a night in Islamabad between the two, so plan on two days of travel.
Are there direct flights from the US to Pakistan?
No. There are currently no nonstop flights between the US and Pakistan. Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer one-stop connections from major US cities to Islamabad.
How long does it take to get from New York to Skardu?
About 16–20 hours of flying and connecting to Islamabad, plus a one-hour flight to Skardu. Because most international flights land in Islamabad at night and Skardu flights leave in the morning, the trip usually takes two days.
Can I fly directly to Skardu from Dubai?
PIA has operated a seasonal direct flight between Dubai and Skardu since 2023, on a limited summer schedule. Check whether it is scheduled for your dates; otherwise connect through Islamabad.
Will my US phone work in Pakistan?
Yes, if it is unlocked. With a Pakistani SIM, an unregistered foreign phone works for 60 days. Visitors can also register one phone free with the PTA for 120 days from arrival. US roaming works but is expensive.
Can I use my US credit card in Skardu?
Rarely. Skardu is mostly cash-only, and few ATMs in Gilgit-Baltistan reliably accept foreign cards. Withdraw or exchange enough rupees in Islamabad, and bring some US dollars as a backup.
What is the time difference between Pakistan and the US East Coast?
Pakistan is 9 hours ahead of New York during US daylight saving time (March to November) and 10 hours ahead in winter. Pakistan does not change its clocks.
What plugs does Pakistan use?
Type C and Type D sockets at 230 V. US travelers need a plug adapter; dual-voltage chargers for phones and laptops work without a converter.