Motorcycle travel in Pakistan: what you need to know
UPDATED ON NOVEMBER 4, 2022
My complete guide to motorcycle travel in Pakistan, gathered through years of independent bike travels (and fails) and running my own
motorcycle tours of Pakistan.
Traveling in Pakistan is always an adventure—sometimes expected, sometimes not—but if you really want to up the ante, there’s no better way to travel Pakistan than by motorcycle. In this girl’s humble opinion, anyway.
See, Pakistan runs on motorcycles. From puttering 70cc Hondas to zippy Yamaha 125s to dependable Suzuki 150s, small motorcycles are the transport of choice for the vast majority of Pakistanis. Locally referred to as “bikes”, they’re cheap to fuel, small enough to maneuver through the most congested traffic, and easy to fix should something go awry.
If you want to travel Pakistan like a local, get yourself a bike, strap your luggage down, and hit the road. Here’s what you need to know before you go.
Motorcycle travel in Pakistan: index
One of my motorcycle tours in Qaqlasht Meadows, biker’s paradise in the mountains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The easiest solution for motorcycle travel in Pakistan: tours
Want to drop in, get on your bike, and hit the road with no hassle? Motorcycle tours of Pakistan are the easiest solution. Bike, gear, accommodation, guide, the works… it’s all included in the tour cost.
I run two-week
motorcycle tours of Pakistan, both public and for private groups. My local tour partner,
Coyote Trail, can also arrange motorcycles and bike trips for you.
Get in touch if you want to know more!
Should I rent or buy a motorcycle in Pakistan?
Everyone knows that renting is the easiest option while traveling, but buying a motorcycle in Pakistan could be cheaper than renting in the long term… right?
Sort of. Though buying a motorcycle is often cheaper if you plan on traveling for at least 3-4 weeks, the hassle of buying and selling the bike might make the whole process more expensive than you bargained for. It’s not easy for foreign travelers to register motorcycles to their name; most people have a Pakistani friend buy the motorcycle in their name, then borrow the bike from them. Selling the bike at the end of your trip can also be a bit of a hassle, as you’ll need to fix things up, then deal with lots of random men calling you in Urdu and not showing up for viewings as planned.
In short: renting is the easiest way to go, but buying makes sense if you’re traveling on planning for weeks to months at a time and have a local friend who can help you with buying and selling a bike.
My trusty steed, a Suzuki GS 150, atop Shandur Pass
Motorcycle travel in Pakistan: which bike is best?
When traveling in Pakistan by motorcycle, there are a few things you have to keep in mind when choosing your bike:
- Looks: Bigger bikes get you more attention, both positive and negative. They’re more likely to be stolen, and people will often come and fiddle with your bike when you’re not looking if it looks particularly nice.
- Size: Smaller is better, especially when navigating rush hour in any Pakistani city.
- Ease of repair: Bike mechanics are everywhere in Pakistan, but most are only experienced with fixing smaller Japanese bikes. Big bike mechanics are only found in the big cities.
- Reliability: Chinese bikes are flooding the market, but finding spares for them can be tough and they’re not known to be reliable in the long term.
If you’re picking up your bike in Pakistan—as opposed to riding in or shipping your bike from elsewhere—I recommend going with a local 150cc bike from a Japanese brand.
I personally own, use, and recommend the Suzuki GS 150 line. My little Suzuki has been eeeeverywhere in Pakistan, from the roughest of offroads in the northern mountains to river crossings in the heart of Punjab. Small as it is, it’s never failed to make it to whatever crazy destination I throw at it. Can’t recommend it enough—that’s why I use it on my motorcycle tours, too.
My favorite bike route in Pakistan: the Ghizer Valley road connecting Shandur and Gilgit
Motorcycle rental costs in Pakistan
Naturally, costs vary by bike, renter/dealer, and the current rupee/dollar exchange rate. Small 70cc bikes can be quite cheap, but will give you hell if you’re trying to ride up mountains in Gilgit-Baltistan. Larger enduro or dual sport bikes are rare and incredibly costly to import to Pakistan—rental costs reflect that. Here are some
approximate daily costs of motorcycle rental in Pakistan:
- Honda CG 125: 3000 PKR
- Suzuki GS 150: 5000 PKR
- Yamaha TTR 250: 15000 PKR
- Kawasaki KLX 250: 20000 PKR
Where to rent or buy motorcycles in Pakistan
Motorcycle rental in Pakistan
Bike rental companies are few and far between, mostly because it’s complicated to get replacement parts and tourists are notorious for destroying the bikes before bringing them back. However, a handful of companies exist.
Where to buy a used motorcycle in Pakistan
There are plenty of bazaars where you can buy used motorcycles in Pakistan, but the easiest way to find used bikes for sale is to check
PakWheels.com for used bike listings.
Chilling with my trusty steed
Do I need a license to ride a motorcycle in Pakistan as a foreigner?
Technically yes.
Practically? No.
If you’re a foreigner riding a motorcycle in Pakistan, you’re not likely to be asked for your license unless you’re pulled over for speeding… and even then, local police don’t know the difference between a foreign bike license and foreign car license. In all my years of riding in Pakistan, I’ve only been asked for my license once. And yes, it was at a speed trap.
The only documents you’ll likely be asked for are your passport and the registration papers of the bike (if the police is mad enough at you to demand them – usually they just ask for a passport).
Some bike rental companies might ask for a general driver’s license to rent bikes, or a motorcycle-specific license for larger bikes. But otherwise… as long as you have some idea of how to drive, you’re free to ride.
Is motorcycle travel in Pakistan safe?
Let’s be real: riding motorcycles anywhere in the world isn’t particularly safe. However, to be fair, Pakistan is a relatively challenging country to ride in. Metropolitan roads are congested, drivers are not particularly bothered with road rules (understandable when many never officially learned to drive), and road conditions can be poor in villages and mountainous areas.
If you’re a novice rider, definitely take a few days driving around in calm parts of the cities before heading out on a longer trip. If you’re more experienced, by all means, head out on your merry way. Just keep in mind that Pakistan has its own unofficial system of road etiquette; you can’t expect people to abide by the same rules that they do at home.
Biking about—to the surprise of many—in Yasin, Gilgit-Baltistan
What to expect from motorcycle travel in Pakistan as a woman
The harsh truth is that, though there are a handful of women biking in Pakistan, motorcycles are a definitively male pastime in Pakistan.
That’s not to say motorcycle travel in Pakistan is impossible for women—I’m proof, don’t ya know?
Attention will be your biggest daily obstacle. If setting out on bike as a woman, be prepared for stares. Lots of them. Some of them are friendly, some judgemental (especially for brown female travelers), and some outright confused. I am regularly asked if I am a man or woman when out on bike; some people don’t believe my answer even after I remove my helmet.
If you want to minimize attention, I recommend wearing protective gear or baggier Western clothes; people will assume you’re a man and not give you a second look.
Otherwise, though you’ll be viewed as an anomaly, there’s no real safety difference between normal
female travel in Pakistan and motorcycle travel in Pakistan. Take the same safety precautions as you would if on foot.
Biking the rough offroad track to Golen Gol in Chitral
Planning motorcycle travel in Pakistan
When planning your motorcycle tour itinerary in Pakistan, there are a few things to keep in mind to avoid frustrations and misunderstandings:
Motorcycles are not allowed on motorways in Pakistan
Unfortunately motorcycles, even large ones, are not allowed on motorways in Pakistan. It’s a measure authorities take to try to limit accidents and breakdowns on the motorways… much to the frustration of riders everywhere. Alas, what to do? When planning your route, try selecting “Avoid highways and motorways” or something similar in your route planning app.
Not all routes are open year-round
Some passes in the mountains are closed due to snow for several months each year—plan your route or timing accordingly. The most notable passes are
Babusar Pass between Naran and Chilas and the
Shandur Pass connecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. Babusar closes a bit earlier and opens a bit later, but you can generally expect both to be closed from November to April or so.
Motorcycles are not allowed to drive in Lowari Tunnel
If you’re heading to anywhere near Chitral, know that you’ll be asked to put your motorcycle on a pickup truck (sigh) to cross the 8km+ Lowari Tunnel. Again, it’s a decision made to reduce the risk of accidents in the tunnel. You miiight be able to talk your way around the rule if you’re polite and on a big enough bike… but don’t count on it.
Google Maps’ motorcycle mode is to be used with caution
In Pakistan, Google Maps offers a bike mode when giving directions. In the cities, feel free to use it as much as you want. But when riding around in more remote areas… beware. I’ve had many a rough offroad experience due to Google Maps thinking steep footpaths on the side of cliffs are valid bike routes. Use with discretion and/or a sense of adventure
beingatraveler.com
