A day trip from Islamabad to Murree has been on our wishlist-itinerary since our first trip to Pakistan (three visits ago).
This time the weather and timing was perfect for a daytrip into the hills and finally to the picturesque hill station of Murree.
Here is everything we wanted to know about planning a day trip from Islamabad to Murree including things to do, what to see and where to eat and stay.
- About Murree
- Best time to visit
- Islamabad to Murree
- Towns and villages in Murree
- Things to do in Murree
Mall Road
Kashmir Point
Murree Safari Train
Pindi Point Chairlift
Patriata Chairlift - Where to eat
- Accommodation in Murree and Islamabad
About Murree
Murree is a resort town and hill station in the mountainous area of the Galiyat region of the Pir Panjal Range, forming part of the outer Himalayas.
The Galiyat region and the surrounding hills includes a number of small hill towns, many of which have Gali in their name, that are situated along the crest of the ridge on the road that runs north from Murree to Abbottabad.
Murree is the main hill station town of the region and was established in 1851 as a sanatorium for the British troops in Pakistan.
The town was intended as a resort during their rule to escape the scorching heat in the plains of Punjab during the summer and was also the summer headquarters of the colonial Punjab Government until 1876 when it was moved to Shimla. (See below for how to visit Government House).
Since then, Murree has maintained its popularity as a famous hill station after Pakistan’s independence in 1947. It is known for snowy winters and beautifully cool summer temperatures and lush nature.
What is the best time of year to visit Murree?
Murree has a moderate climate throughout the year, with cool summers and cold winters.
In winter the temperatures can drop below freezing and is often accompanied by snowfall.
We visited in July when it was ridiculously hot in Islamabad, but Murree was beautifully fresh. (We could see why the British troops originally picked it for a hill station and escape from the Punjabi summer heat!).
- Read about things to do in Islamabad.
How far is it from Islamabad to Murree?
Google Maps shows it is geographically about 70 kilometres from Islamabad to Murree via the E-75 Expressway.
- Islamabad to Murree: 70km via Islamabad – Murree Expy/E-75
Options for getting there
Due to the positioning of Murree up in the hills there is no connection to Murree by rail or air. The only way to get there from Islamabad is by road.
However, it is a (very) windy road heading up from the flat expressway into the Murree hills.
My Mum had lived in Pakistan in the late 1970’s as a volunteer in a village near Multan. But when I told her we were going to take a day trip from Islamabad to Murree one of the first things she said was; ‘Ugh. I remember the road!’.
There are some pretty hurly corners on the steep-sided switchbacks heading uphill. And moreover, it doesn’t exactly bode confidence to see remains of more than one bus that didn’t make it up the hill or down around the corner…
The best way is to hire a driver from Islamabad and make the day trip to Murree and back by taxi.
- Tip: We visited with friends (another family) and each booked a driver and car for the day from Islamabad to Murree through our accommodation.
How long does it take to go from Islamabad to Murree?
It takes less than two hours to go by road from Islamabad to Murree.
- Islamabad to Murree: 1 hr 31 min (69.6 km)
Google Maps denotes a generously faster 1.5 hours but in reality, this is somewhat hopeful. The timing for the trip depends on traffic and the weather on the day – as well as how cautious or confident your driver is.
- Tip: Don’t be shy to ask your driver to slow down if you are not comfortable with the speed. (This goes for travel anywhere in the world!).
Towns and villages in Murree
Before getting into the things to do in Murree it is worth explaining that Murree town itself is just one destination in the hill station area. There are several smaller towns and villages including three chairlift options.
See below for the things to do in Murree.
Murree
The GPO Chowk Area and Mall Road of Murree is the centre of town. This is the market area and hub for the main hill station town and surrounding villages.
Patriata
Small hill station town 40 minutes from Murree with a chairlift and cable car. Patriata is often known as ‘New Murree’.
Bhurban
Bhurban is a tiny hill station town, located approximately 11 kilometres from Murree town most notable for its flora, wildlife and trekking paths.
Changla Gali
This is another hill station in the Galiyat region, which ranges from Murree to Thandiani on the NWFP-Punjab border. There are several walking paths in Galiyat that go to the highest peaks of Mukshpuri and Miranjani, both of which can be completed in a single day.
Kohala
Kohala is the entrance point for Kashmir Pakistan from Murree. There is a bridge that connects Murree with Kashmir.
Ayubia
There is also a chairlift to Ayubia Point that is sometimes pictured when searching things to do in Murree. However, Ayubia Point chairlift is an hour’s drive from Murree.
Things to see and do in Murree
These are some of the things to do in Murree either on a day trip from Islamabad or while staying in the Murree hills.
Mall Road Murree
Mall Road in Murree is a bustling shopping and tourist spot lined with shops, restaurants, and stalls. We had to loop around twice with our driver to drop us off as it was so busy when we visited there wasn’t space to park.
However, it is a great place for an atmospheric stroll and a winner for local handicrafts, clothing and traditional Pakistani items.
Kashmir Point
Kashmir Point is a scenic viewpoint in Murree where the mountains of Kashmir and the Pir Panjal Mountain Range can be viewed.
The viewpoint is situated on Mall Road and is 2286 metres above sea level.
Murree TDCP Safari Train
From Kashmir Point in Murree, the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) operates the Murree Safari Train (Soft-Wheel Train).
The train is a small, wheeled locomotive with an audio guided tour from Kashmir Point to the Historic Governor House Murree.
Albeit it isn’t a thrilling amusement park style ride despite appearances. But the round-trip journey is interesting with information about Murree and the surrounding hills and mountain area.
- Cost: 500 PKR per adult
- Hours: 10:00am – 7:00pm
- Round Trip: 30 mins
Pindi Point Chairlift
The Pindi Point chairlift in Murree is the closest chairlift to the main town area. The chairlift ride goes to the top of Pindi Point which is the highest point in Punjab, Pakistan.
Pindi Point is also accessible by a 15-minute walk from Mall Road. The path is covered with pine trees and winds up steeply in a zigzag formation.
But whether you brave the chairlift or walk up, there is a café and small playground at the top.
- Cost: 750 PKR
Patriata Chairlift and Cable Car
Patriata is the highest point in Murree and is often referred to as ‘New Muree’. The elevation is around 2286 metres (7,500 feet) above sea level.
From Patriata there is a chairlift and cable car to Patriata Point. This is the longest and largest chairlift in the Murree mountains journeying for 1.4km up to Patriata Point taking 12 minutes for the trip.
The start point for the Patriata chairlift is around 40 minutes from Mall Road in Murree.
- Cost: 1000 PKR
Where and what to eat in Murree and Islamabad
Ah ha. The other main thing to do in Murree is to eat! There are plenty of touristic restaurants catering to the hundreds of domestic and otherwise flocking visitors.
But because this mountain area of Pakistan is known for hearty style meals with a Kashmiri influence, getting a good meal in Murree is one of the best things to do.
I am not there is an official trademark dish of Murree. But the congruence of flavours from Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa makes chicken Karahi one of the best dishes in the mountain regions.
Karahi is a spicy tomato curry named for the shallow, wok-like pan in which it is cooked. It is delicious.
We visited Murree from Islamabad with friends from Sindh, Pakistan and at their suggestion we went on a mission to find delicious Karahi chicken in Murree.
Mission success!
We had a delicious lunch. Albeit it was at one of the touristic cafes in Murree. But we finished the day off with a delicious chai in Mall Road.
- Shinwari Restaurant: Good chicken Karahi and Kabuli pulao.
- Qoeta Khan Café: A locally run and frequented Balochi dhaba serving chole, Quetta chai, Nihari and Haleem.
Accommodation in Murree and Islamabad
On this trip we didn’t stay overnight in Murree. Instead, we visited from Islamabad to Murree on a day trip which I recommend.
However, there are plenty of recommended accommodation options in Murree too.
- Shelton Suites Bhurban: Located in Bhurban and including a restaurant, terrace, rooms with balconies, and standard amenities.
- Maisonette Morningside Murree: Located centrally featuring a restaurant, a terrace with a mountain view and a continental breakfast.
- Luxury / Pine Court Resort Bhurban: A 4-Star property in Bhurban.
These are the hotels we stay in Islamabad and can recommend.
- Budget / Shelton’s Ambassador: We had a good stay here our first time in Pakistan though we were notably the only foreign guests at the breakfast buffet each morning.
- Budget / Sheltons Rezidor Islamabad: Simple rooms and a basic morning breakfast buffet (in the basement). The location is good in F-7 and we walked from here to dinner at Kabul Restaurant in the evenings.
- Budget-Mid-Range / Grand Peace House II: Guesthouse style accommodation in secure residential area in F-7 close to Kabul Restaurant and Safa Gold Mall. We regularly stay here.
- Mid-Range / Islamabad Regalia Hotel: A large hotel with huge rooms and a beautiful breakfast buffet. It is pricier and further out of the main neighbourhoods, but the service is great – and the food is superb!
More about travel planning for Murree, Islamabad and beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime and can recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains and transport anywhere in Asia.
- Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for your trip (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have travel insurance before visiting Pakistan!