Within Gilgit, rickshaws and local minibuses handle most short trips cheaply. For day trips to Kargah Nala, the polo ground, or nearby villages, a hired jeep or car is the most practical option — negotiate the rate before departing. Gilgit is a hub for transport further into the mountains: jeeps and shared vans depart from the main bazaar area to Hunza, Skardu, Chitral (via the Shandur), and smaller valleys.
For Skardu, the road takes a full day in good conditions. For Hunza (Karimabad), expect two to three hours. Roads throughout the region are subject to seasonal closures, slides, and flooding — always ask locally about current conditions before setting out.