About Abbottabad
Abbottabad or also known as Abtabad, is a small city located approximately 110 km north of Islamabad. Abbottabad is at an altitude of 1250 meters above sea level and most of all, it stands out because of the PMA (Pakistan Military Academy) which is located within its district. The settlement was first founded in 1853 and in Abbottabads history it was the headquarters of Hazara district. You can easily reach Abbottabad by bus from Islamabad or Peshawar. The Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindu Kush mountain ranges are also located close by. You can also visit many places near the city for the day, such as Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu and Indus Kohistan. Undoubtedly, Abbottabad is in a perfect location at the foot of Sarban Hills and is one of the most beautiful cities of northeastern Pakistan. Shimla Hill, known as Shimla Pahari in the local dialect is one of the top tourist destinations in Abbottabad. You can make a quick start to your city tour with the Shimla Hills which is located only 10 km from the center of Abbottabad. You can stay in one of the accommodations surrounding the Shimla Hills which are incredibly cool even during the summer months and you can taste the special tastes of Pakistani cuisine in the food and beverage venues. Harnoi is located about 11 kilometers away from the Abbottabad center and is known as Nadi Dhorr in the local language. There are a lot of hotels, places to eat and drink and shops in Harnoi, aswell as an amusement park, restaurants and cafes. You can also stop at Harnoi hiking trails which are located between Abbottabad and Nathiagali. Although Abbottabad located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has gained international attention as the place where Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden was killed, it has also made a name for itself over the years in the tourism industry.
Gurdwara Bazaar which dates back to 1943 is one of the most popular places to shop in Abbottabad. We recommend that you add Ilyasi Mosque which has baths and springs, to your list of places to visit in Abbottabad. It is located in Nawan Shehar village, near Saint Luke's Church, 5 km east on Murree road near PTDC. Starting from Havelian which is located 15 kilometers south of the city of Abbottabad the Karakoram Highway passes through the city which used to be of great importance as formely a Silk Road. In Abbottabad you can do many activities such as trekking, hiking, camping, photography, golf and picnics. For visitors, it offers numerous alternatives of accommodation. You can reserve a hotel in Abbottabad where there are many accommodations such as Sarban Hotel, Jan’s Continental Guest House, Pıne Inn Guest House by choosing the most suitable hotel for your budget. Founded in 1853 as the center and as the headquarters of the Hazara District (current Northwestern Border State of Pakistan). Today, Abbottabad continues to host thousands of local and foreign tourists as one of the country's most touristic destinations.
Transportation to Abbottabad City Center from Airport
Abbottabad Airport
Since there is no active airport in Abbottabad, you can reach Abbottabad by using Benazir Bhutto International Airport which is located approximately 150 km away from the city. After landing at the airport, you can rent a car for a fast and comfortable travel to your destination. If you prefer a more budget-friendly means of transportation, you can get on an intercity bus or use a train.
Bus
The buses going to many different points of the city depart from the bus station located outside the airport. You can get information about the bus routes and departure times by visiting the information desk at the airport. Ticket prices are affordable but travelling to the city by bus takes a long time.
Car Rental
There are a few different car rental companies offering car rental service at the airport. If you rent a car for your transportation, you can reach the city center of Abbottabad in about two hours by driving in the northeast direction by connecting to the highway N35 from the highway M1. When driving, you should be careful about the drivers who do not obey the traffic rules and you should remember that the traffic can be sometimes too heavy.
Train
You can come to the Islamabad Railway Station by getting on a bus or taxi at the airport and then travel to Abbottabad by getting on a train here. If you get on a taxi, make sure to bargain on the fare before getting on any taxi. In this way, you can reduce your transportation costs. Train ticket prices are very affordable but keep in mind that trains can be very crowded.
