Quick answer: fuel in Skardu
- 14 filling stations in and around Skardu city, several open 24 hours
- Most are cash only. Two are reported to take cards — see the table
- Shortages happen. Fill up when you can, not when you are low
- No fuel on Deosai, at Askole, in Hushe, or in Basho — fill before you leave
- Khaplu has three stations; the Kharmang road has one
Why fuel needs planning in Baltistan
This is not like driving anywhere else in Pakistan. Two things catch visitors out.
Supply is not guaranteed. Skardu experiences periodic fuel shortages, and when they happen some stations run dry while others keep serving. Drivers locally know which ones tend to hold stock. The practical rule is simple: top up whenever you pass a station with fuel, rather than waiting until the gauge is low.
Most stations take cash only. Card acceptance is the exception here, not the rule. Withdraw enough in Skardu city before heading out — see our visit budget planner for what a trip costs in total.
Looking for a petrol pump near you in Skardu?
If you are already in Skardu and need the closest filling station, the table below lists every petrol pump and fuel station in the area with a Directions button that opens Google Maps navigation from your current location. The three closest to the city centre are Indus Filling Station, Baltistan Petroleum and Total Petrol Filling Station, all within a kilometre of each other on the main road.
Map of petrol stations in Skardu
Numbers match the table below. Teal pins take cards; red pins are cash only. Distances are straight-line from the city centre.
Petrol stations in Skardu city and around
| # | Station | Hours | Payment | Phone | From centre | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indus Filling Station (PSO)Alamdar Rd, Kargrong | 24 hours | Card | — | 0.3 km | Directions |
| 2 | Total Petrol Filling StationOpposite PTDC, Olding | 24 hours | Cash | +92 300 8661686 | 0.7 km | Directions |
| 3 | Byco Petrol PumpHospital Rd, Hameed Garh | 24 hours | Cash | — | 0.7 km | Directions |
| 4 | Baltistan Petroleum (Attock)Hameed Gharh–Olding Rd | 5:30am–12am | Card | +92 345 3413214 | 0.9 km | Directions |
| 5 | BIKRI Petrol PumpChowk, Hassan Colony | Check locally | Cash | — | 1.0 km | Directions |
| 6 | PSOCollege Rd, Main Bazar Sukkadamedan | Check locally | Cash | +92 800 030 00 | 2.3 km | Directions |
| 7 | Saltoro Petrol PumpAirport Rd, Shaheed Colony | 24 hours | Cash | +92 58154 55392 | 3.2 km | Directions |
| 8 | Irfan Wazir & Sons (Byco)Hussainabad | 24 hours | Cash | +92 314 4244804 | 3.4 km | Directions |
| 9 | Skardu Filling Station (Total Parco)Khachekhor Link Rd, Gayool | 24 hours | Cash | — | 5.4 km | Directions |
| 10 | Indus Petroleum (Byco)Airport Rd, Shigri Kalan | 6:30am–11pm | Cash | +92 355 5555884 | 7.9 km | Directions |
| 11 | Mehfooz & SonsGamba | 24 hours | Cash | +92 342 0006233 | 10.5 km | Directions |
| 12 | PSO Petrol PumpGamba | Check locally | Cash | — | 10.9 km | Directions |
| 13 | Hussaini Filling StationAirport Rd, Gamba | Check locally | Cash | — | 11.4 km | Directions |
| 14 | Shabees Filling StationHoto | 24 hours | Cash | +92 342 0006216 | 17.9 km | Directions |
Hours and payment methods change, and card machines are not always working even where they exist. Treat card acceptance as a bonus rather than a plan. We do not rank these stations.
Petrol stations in Khaplu
Khaplu has three, which matters if you are driving the 103 km east or continuing to Hushe Valley.
| # | Station | Hours | Payment | From Skardu | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K1 | Baqcho & Sons Filling StationMain Siachen Rd, Karaming, Khaplu | 24 hours | Cash | 62.4 km | Directions |
| K2 | Petrol Pump KhapluMalaliva, Khaplu | Check locally | Cash | 63.9 km | Directions |
| K3 | New Khaplu Filling StationNear PTDC Motel, Khaplu | 5:30am–11:30pm | Cash | 65.8 km | Directions |
The Kharmang road
There is one filling station on the Kharmang road, confirmed locally. It does not appear in mapping data, so we cannot give you a pin for it — assume you may not find it and fill up in Skardu before heading toward Manthokha and Khamosh. That drive is around 80 km each way.
Where there is no fuel at all
This is the part that matters most. None of these routes has a filling station along it:
| Route | Round trip | Last fuel |
|---|---|---|
| Deosai and Sheosar Lake | ~80 km, 6+ hours | Skardu city. Nothing past Satpara. |
| Askole and the K2 trailhead | ~260 km, 2 days | Skardu, or Shigar if a pump is open |
| Hushe Valley | ~100 km beyond Khaplu | Khaplu |
| Basho Valley | ~90 km | Skardu city |
| Sarfaranga and Shigar | ~60 km | Skardu city |
Deosai is the one to take seriously. A full day on unpaved track at over 4,000 m uses considerably more fuel than the distance suggests, and there is no way to refuel and no easy recovery if you run dry. Local drivers fill up before leaving as a matter of course — one of the city-centre stations is commonly used for exactly this.
Practical notes
- Carry cash. Most stations do not take cards, and machines fail even where they exist.
- Fill before Deosai, Askole, Hushe and Basho. There is nothing along any of them.
- If you are hiring a vehicle, confirm whether fuel is included — it usually is not. See licensed operators.
- Fuel consumption is higher here than the distances imply: altitude, gradient and unpaved surfaces all take a toll.
- During a shortage, ask your hotel or driver which station currently has stock. They will know before any website does.
Frequently asked questions
How many petrol stations are there in Skardu?
Around 14 filling stations in and around Skardu city, several of them open 24 hours. Khaplu has three more, and there is one on the Kharmang road.
Do petrol stations in Skardu accept cards?
Most are cash only. Two are reported to accept cards — Indus Filling Station (PSO) and Baltistan Petroleum (Attock) — but machines are not always working. Withdraw cash in Skardu city rather than relying on a card.
Is there fuel on Deosai?
No. There is no filling station anywhere on the Deosai plateau, and nothing past Satpara Lake. Fill up in Skardu city before you leave. The unpaved track at over 4,000 m uses considerably more fuel than the distance suggests.
Are there fuel shortages in Skardu?
Yes, periodically. When they happen some stations run dry while others keep serving. Top up whenever you pass a station with fuel rather than waiting until you are low, and ask your hotel or driver which station currently has stock.
Is there a petrol station in Khaplu?
Yes, three — Baqcho & Sons on the Siachen road, one in Malaliva, and New Khaplu Filling Station near the PTDC motel. Fill up in Khaplu before continuing to Hushe Valley, where there is none.
Where is the last fuel before Askole?
Skardu city, or Shigar if a pump is open when you pass. There is no fuel at Askole or anywhere on the road beyond Shigar, and the round trip is roughly 260 km on a rough track.
Where is the nearest petrol pump in Skardu?
Indus Filling Station (PSO) on Alamdar Road is the closest to the city centre at about 300 metres, and is reported to stay open when others run dry. Total Petrol Filling Station and Byco are both within a kilometre. Several Skardu pumps run 24 hours.
Is there a petrol pump on the way to Deosai?
No. Nothing past Satpara Lake, and none on the plateau itself. Fill up in Skardu city — local drivers commonly use one of the central pumps before setting off. A Deosai day uses more fuel than the 80 km round trip suggests because of the gradient and unpaved track.
Sources and accuracy
Station names, addresses, coordinates, opening hours and phone numbers were compiled from Google Places data and cross-checked against public listings. Card acceptance is based on reported visitor experience rather than official confirmation. The Kharmang road station is included on local advice and is not in mapping data.
Fuel supply, hours and payment methods change. Confirm before relying on any of this. If you find something out of date, tell us or report it. See our sources and methodology. Last reviewed 2 September 2026.