Traveling Pakistan
Quick answer: Murree is Pakistan's best-known hill station, about 60 km north-east of Islamabad at roughly 2,200 m. The drive takes 1.5–2.5 hours on the Murree Expressway. Go on a weekday if you can, start early, and in winter check road and snow advisories before you leave.
Murree in Brief
The British founded Murree in the early 1850s as a sanatorium and summer retreat for troops and officials escaping the heat of the plains; for a time it served as the summer headquarters of the Punjab government. The colonial layout still shapes the town: a ridge-top promenade (Mall Road) with a church, post office and shops, and roads dropping away to viewpoints on either side.
Today Murree is the default holiday for families from Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore — which means its biggest challenge is crowds. Summer weekends, Eid holidays and the first snowfall of winter bring traffic that can stretch for hours. Planned well, though, it is an easy and rewarding trip.
What to Do in Murree
Mall Road
The pedestrianised heart of the town, lined with shops, cafés and hotels. It is liveliest in the evening. Christ Church (1857), at the upper end near GPO Chowk, is one of the oldest churches in the region.
Kashmir Point and Pindi Point
Two viewpoints at opposite ends of the ridge. Kashmir Point looks north-east toward the mountains of Azad Kashmir; Pindi Point looks back over the hills toward the plains and Islamabad. Both are walkable from Mall Road through pine forest.
Patriata (New Murree)
About 15 km south-east of the town, Patriata has a chairlift and a gondola cable car climbing to a forested summit. Rides close in high wind, storms and after dusk — arrive by early afternoon, and expect long queues on weekends.
Bhurban
Further along the Kashmir Road, Bhurban is quieter and more upmarket, with resort hotels and a golf course on the ridge.
Walks
The forest roads between Kashmir Point, Pindi Point and the Mall make easy walks of an hour or two. For proper hiking, continue into the Galyat: the Pipeline Track from Dunga Gali to Ayubia and the Mukshpuri and Miranjani trails near Nathia Gali — see our hill stations guide.
When to Go
- April–June: pleasant days (typically 15–25°C), green forests, heavy weekend crowds from May.
- July–August: monsoon — mist and rain, beautiful but with landslide risk on hill roads.
- September–November: clear, settled weather and thinner crowds; arguably the best season.
- December–February: snow and freezing nights. Spectacular, but the most dangerous time to drive (see below).
Winter Safety: Read This Before a Snow Trip
In January 2022, thousands of vehicles became stranded on the roads into Murree during a heavy snowstorm, and more than 20 people died in their cars. The lessons are simple and worth repeating:
- Check Punjab government, district administration and traffic police advisories the day you travel — authorities restrict entry when the town is full or snow is heavy.
- Do not set off late in the day toward a forecast storm. If traffic stops in snowfall, do not sit for hours with the engine running and the exhaust blocked by snow — carbon monoxide is the killer.
- Carry warm clothing, water, snacks, a charged power bank, and a full tank of fuel.
- Use snow chains or a capable vehicle after fresh snowfall; many hotels can arrange parking so you can walk.
Getting There
- By car: the Murree Expressway from Islamabad is the fastest route; the old Murree Road through Bhara Kahu and Chattar is slower and more winding.
- By public transport: vans and coaches leave from Faizabad and Pir Wadhai in Rawalpindi through the day. Vans drop at the general bus stand below Mall Road; it is a steep walk or short taxi ride up.
- From Lahore: M-2 motorway to Islamabad (about 4–5 hours), then on to Murree. Intercity operators such as those in our Rawalpindi–Lahore fare guide run the first leg.
Where to Stay and What It Costs
Hotels range from basic guesthouses below the Mall to resort properties in Bhurban. Prices change sharply with demand: rooms that are reasonable on a weekday can double or triple on summer weekends, Eid and snowfall days. Book ahead for those dates, confirm whether heating and hot water are included in winter, and get the price per night in writing.
Practical Tips
- Leave Islamabad before 7 AM on weekends — traffic builds from mid-morning.
- Carry cash; ATMs on the Mall can run dry on busy weekends.
- Parking on the ridge is scarce; use your hotel's parking or the public lots and walk.
- Monkeys around Pindi Point and the forest roads snatch food — keep snacks in bags.
- Download offline maps; signal can drop on the back roads toward the Galyat.
Disclaimer: Independent information only. Contact details and prices may change — verify directly with operators. We are not affiliated with any bus company or travel agency. Full disclaimer.