Sharfus cottage

Getting to Abbottabad

The nearest airport is Islamabad International Airport, about 75 km from the centre of Abbottabad in a straight line. Arrivals usually continue by road, and the drive is commonly made via the motorway network. The road distance is longer than the straight-line figure, so the journey by road takes considerably more than the figure alone suggests.

Roads into the hills are usually clear in the milder months. Winter brings cold nights and occasional frost, though snow is uncommon in the town itself, so the approach to Abbottabad is rarely blocked by snow. For a longer outing, the road to Nathia Gali climbs through pine forest and passes several viewpoints, and that road can be affected by winter conditions depending on snow.

Around Abbottabad

Abbottabad is a hill station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, sitting at an altitude of about 1,256 metres. It is a working town rather than a resort, and the centre is dense with traffic, shops and offices. The cantonment areas to the north and east are quieter, with tree-lined roads and older buildings. The climate is moderate compared with the plains, which shapes how the town feels through the year.

Around Abbottabad, Shimla Hill rises above the town and offers a short walk and a view over the rooftops and the valley. A single day is enough to see the town's main sights. For a longer outing, the road to Nathia Gali climbs through pine forest and passes several viewpoints; a day in Nathia Gali is enough for the bazaar, a walk on the ridge and a short forest path.

Several other places are within reach for a wider trip. Murree grew as a summer retreat in the 19th century and still follows the ridge above the Kashmir Road. Muzaffarabad sits where the Jhelum and Neelum rivers meet, a busy town in Azad Kashmir with hill views and a mountain road to the north. Saidpur is an old village at the foot of the Margalla Hills, now a quiet stop for gardens, old lanes and short walks. The Margalla Hills rise directly north of Islamabad, a wooded ridge of trails, viewpoints and wildlife on the city's edge.

Abbottabad through the year

In Abbottabad, the best months for a visit are April, May and October. March, June, September and November are also good. January, February, July, August and December are possible but less reliable. Summer days are warm but rarely extreme, and evenings cool down, while winters bring cold nights and occasional frost.

The monsoon from July to August can be heavy, with rain and cloud, which makes those months less predictable for outdoor plans. Snow is uncommon in the town itself, though winter nights are cold. Spring and autumn sit between these extremes and are usually the most settled times to be in the town and on the nearby hill roads.

Places to stay in Abbottabad: what to expect

Resorts and lodges in Abbottabad are a small group, mostly simple to mid-range. Almost all list car parking, and most list a garden and air conditioning. Some list free Wi-Fi, breakfast, family rooms, heating, a kitchen, a 24-hour front desk, room service or a shuttle service. The garden setting and parking suit travellers who want space around the stay and arrive with their own vehicle.

Hotels in Abbottabad form a large group, mostly simple to mid-range in profile. Almost all list car parking and a 24-hour front desk, many list breakfast and a shuttle service, and some list free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, family rooms, heating, a kitchen, room service, a garden or air conditioning. This mix suits travellers who want a staffed front desk and a place to park, whether arriving by car or continuing onwards by road.

Guest houses in Abbottabad are a fair number, mostly simple to mid-range. Almost all list car parking and most list breakfast and a 24-hour front desk, while many list a shuttle service. Some list free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, family rooms, room service, a garden or air conditioning, and a few list heating or a kitchen. The combination of breakfast and parking makes guest houses a practical choice for families travelling by car and for drivers who want an easy stop.

Serviced apartments in Abbottabad are a small group, a mix of simple, mid-range and unrated stays. Almost all list car parking, a kitchen and air conditioning, and many list free Wi-Fi, breakfast, family rooms, heating, a 24-hour front desk and room service. The kitchen and family rooms suit longer stays and households that prefer to prepare some of their own meals, while parking and air conditioning cover the practical side of a road trip.

Staying in Abbottabad: questions