Islamabad to Swat Distance: Guide to Road Trip, Routes & Maps!

Are you planning to go to Swat Valley from Islamabad for a short trip? The Islamabad to Swat distance is 247 km (153 miles) from the M-1 Motorway and Swat Expressway (M-16), which takes only 4 to 5 hours by car.
To start, the distance from Rawalpindi to Swat is 10 to 20 km longer, based on the route you take. This makes Swat the best place for people in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad to get away for the weekend.

Quick Travel Summary of Islamabad to Swat

Pro Tip: Don’t want to deal with driving fatigue? Explore our 3 Days Swat Tour Package for a hassle-free experience where we handle the logistics while you enjoy the view.

Top Best Routes to Reach SWAT

Picking the right path can cut your trip time by more than an hour. Right now, there are two main ways to get from Islamabad to Swat. We highly recommend the highway for safety and comfort.

Route 1: The Motorway Route (Suggested)

Route: Islamabad (M-1) → Karnal Sher Khan Interchange → Swat Expressway (M-16) → Chakdara → Mingora

This is the common road for 2025. The Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) is the point where your trip begins. You will get off at the Karnal Sher Khan Interchange to join the Swat Expressway (M-16) after going for about 100 km.
Why choose The Motorway Route to Reach Islamabad?

The M-16 changes everything. It has beautiful tunnels and carpets that makes for a smooth ride while avoiding the traffic of nearby towns. It makes the trip from Islamabad to Swat in a relaxing 4.5 hours.

Update on Tolls:

Get ready for toll booths. Make sure your vehicle has an M-Tag by 2025 to escape having to wait in line and pay twice as much for fines.

Route 2: The GT Road Alternative (N-5)

Route: Islamabad → Taxila → Hasan Abdal → Nowshera → Mardan → Dargai → Swat

This was the only way to get there before highways were built. These days, people who want to visit historic sites like Taxila or cars with a lot of people on them mostly use it. Because of traffic lights and roads that are just one-lane across in towns, this way will make your trip much longer.

Route 3: From Rawalpindi

To find the distance from Rawalpindi to Swat, just see how long it takes to leave the city.

• From Saddar/Cantt, take Peshawar Road to get to the M-1 motorway near the Tarnol/26 Number Chungi area.
• From Bahria Town/DHA: The M-1 is often faster to get to from the Srinagar Highway.

No matter where you start, the drive becomes beautiful and smooth when you get on the M-16 Swat Expressway. Remember that the distance from Swat to Islamabad on your way back is the same. But to escape the heavy traffic at the toll plazas when you get to Islamabad, we always suggest leaving early on Sundays.

How much time it takes to reach SWAT?

The Islamabad to Swat distance doesn’t change, but how long it takes you to get there varies on when you leave and how you travel.

• In a Private Car (4–5 Hours): You can get to Mingora in less than five hours if you leave early, around 6:00 AM, and take the M-16 Swat Expressway.
• By Bus (6–7 Hours): Buses like Daewoo Express or Faisal Movers are slower and more comfortable because they have planned stops and the motorway has lower speed limits.
• The Weekend Factor: The Malakand Tunnel and Dargai get really busy with traffic on weekends.

If you want to cut down on the time it takes to get from Swat to Islamabad on your way back, try to leave Swat on Sundays before 2:00 PM.

 Best Transport Options and Fares to SWAT (2026 Updated)

Making a budget is an important part of planning a trip. Here are the expected costs for this year, taking into account recent changes in fuel prices and toll rates.

1. Personal Vehicle

You have the most freedom when you drive your own car.
Estimated one-way fuel cost is between 5,000 and 7,000 PKR, based on the distance traveled.
Toll Taxes: About 800 to 1,000 PKR in total.
2025 Update: The National Highway Authority (NHA) makes sure that M-Tag is used on all highways. Make sure your tag is recharged; otherwise, you could get fined twice or be denied entry.

2. Public Transport (Bus Services)

Buses are a cheap way for travelers to move alone or in small groups.

• Daewoo Express / Faisal Movers: There are terminals at Faizabad (Rawalpindi) and close to the Motorway Chowk (Islamabad).
• The price of a ticket for each person in business or luxury class is between 1,600 and 2,200 PKR.

3. Car Rental & Guided Tours (Best Value)

If you want to enjoy the scenery without the stress of driving in the mountains, hiring a service is the best way to go.

Why Plan With Us?

National Planners of Pakistan offers trustworthy transportation with drivers who know how to drive through mountains.

• Check Out Our Prices for Renting a Car
• Look at 3-Day Family Tour Packages

What are the conditions of Road to Swat? Is it Safe

Families traveling from Rawalpindi to Swat often share the same worry about road safety.

• Islamabad to Mingora: Excellent. The road is mostly (90%) motorway and a little bit (10%) well-paved national highway. It’s safe for all kinds of cars, like sedans (Civic and Corolla) and hatchbacks (Alto and Cultus).
• From Mingora to Malam Jabba: The road is steep, twisty, and covered end to end. Because of black ice, be careful when driving in the winter.
• Mingora to Kalam (Important Update): The road to Bahrain is in good shape, but the one from Bahrain to Kalam (about 35 km) can still be bumpy because they are still fixing things after the flood.

Recommendation: An SUV or high-clearance vehicle is highly suggested for Kalam. If you’re in a car, drive very slowly over this area.

Distances to Top Attractions Beyond Mingora

Reaching Mingora is just the beginning. Use this “Hub & Spoke” table to plan your daily excursions from the main city.

Top Tourist Attractions in Pakistan for Foreigners

Conclusion: 

It’s easier to get from the city to the tops of the Hindu Kush. The 247 km drive to Swat from Islamabad is an adventure, whether you are going on a single bike ride or a road trip with your family.
Swat is ready to welcome you now that the motorways are better and there are good services. Just remember to check your car, add money to your M-Tag, and get ready for the mountain scenery ahead.

Are you going to pack your bags now?

Don’t worry about planning—let the professionals do it.

• Get help planning your custom SWAT tour with the National Planners of Pakistan
• For live itinerary support, contact us on WhatsApp

FAQs

What is the distance from Islamabad to Swat by road?

The quickest way to get there is the M-1 and Swat Expressway, which are 247 kilometers away.

Can I travel from Rawalpindi to Swat in a small car?

Yes, small cars like a Suzuki Alto can easily make it from Rawalpindi to Mingora and Malam Jabba. But Kalam feels safer in a bigger car.

Is the Swat Expressway open at night?

 Yes, the highway is always open. But, because of thick fog close to the Karnal Sher Khan Interchange, we suggest not traveling at night in the winter (December to February).

How much is the toll tax for Swat Motorway?

A: As of 2025, expect to pay around PKR 350-500 for the M-16 section, in addition to the M-1 toll from Islamabad.