The 13 Best Day Trips from Islamabad

How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.

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There are 13 good day trips from Islamabad, Pakistan, led by Peshawar, Muzaffarābād, Battagram. The closest is Wah Cantt, about 40 min by car, and 2 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.

Built from 13 nearby places, with sights from real traveler trips, on Packy AI. Last updated November 2026 by the Packy AI Travel Team.

Day trips from Islamabad

  1. 1

    Peshawar, Pakistan

    Full-day trip
    About 2 hr 10 min by car139 km west of Islamabad

    Known for Shaji-ki-Dheri Remains (Kaniska Stupa).

  2. 2

    Muzaffarābād, Pakistan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 15 min by car82 km north-east of Islamabad
  3. 3

    Battagram, Pakistan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 40 min by car106 km north of Islamabad
  4. 4

    Wah Cantt, Pakistan

    Half-day trip
    About 40 min by car28 km west of Islamabad
  5. 5

    Mingora, Pakistan

    Full-day trip
    About 2 hr 5 min by car133 km north-west of Islamabad
  6. 6

    Mardan, Pakistan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 40 min by car106 km north-west of Islamabad
  7. 7

    Abbottabad, Pakistan

    Half-day trip
    About 1 hr by car50 km north of Islamabad
  8. 8

    Dhirkot, Pakistan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 10 min by car61 km north-east of Islamabad
  9. 9

    Jhelum, Pakistan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 40 min by car108 km south-east of Islamabad
  10. 10

    Tordher, Pakistan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 30 min by car76 km north-west of Islamabad
  11. 11

    Attock City, Pakistan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 15 min by car63 km west of Islamabad
  12. 12

    Mandi Bahauddin, Pakistan

    Full-day trip
    About 2 hr 5 min by car133 km south of Islamabad
  13. 13

    New Mirpur City, Pakistan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 25 min by car92 km south-east of Islamabad

A sample day: Islamabad to Peshawar

  1. 07:30Leave Islamabad
  2. 09:40Arrive in Peshawar (2 hr 10 min drive)
  3. 09:55Shaji-ki-Dheri Remains (Kaniska Stupa)
  4. 11:55Lunch
  5. 13:10Explore the old town, markets and cafes of Peshawar
  6. 15:40Head back to Islamabad
  7. 17:50Home in Islamabad

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

What are the best day trips from Islamabad?
The best day trips from Islamabad are Peshawar, Muzaffarābād, Battagram, Wah Cantt, Mingora. The closest is Wah Cantt, about 40 min away by car.
What is the closest day trip from Islamabad?
Wah Cantt is the closest, 28 km west of Islamabad, roughly 40 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
Where can I go within an hour of Islamabad?
2 places are within about an hour's drive of Islamabad: Wah Cantt (40 min), Abbottabad (1 hr).
What is the biggest city near Islamabad for a day out?
Peshawar is the largest city in day-trip range, 139 km west of Islamabad and about 2 hr 10 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
Where can I go for a weekend from Islamabad?
For a weekend away from Islamabad, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Peshawar (139 km, 2 hr 10 min), Mandi Bahauddin (133 km, 2 hr 5 min), Mingora (133 km, 2 hr 5 min), Jhelum (108 km, 1 hr 40 min). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
How far is too far for a day trip from Islamabad?
Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Peshawar at 139 km, around 2 hr 10 min by car.

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