Kaghan Valley is about four hours from Islamabad by road. The standard route goes via the Hazara Motorway to Abbottabad, then continues to Mansehra and Balakot at the valley entrance. From Balakot, the road follows the Kunhar River north for 155 kilometres to Naran and eventually Babusar Pass. There is no railway and no airport; all arrivals are overland.
From Islamabad, NATCO (National Transport Company) runs scheduled buses to Naran in season, departing from the Pir Wadhai bus terminal. Private coaches and shared vans also cover the route from Rawalpindi's bus stands. The journey takes four to five hours depending on traffic and road conditions. Private cars are fine as far as Naran; beyond that, for Lake Saiful Muluk and Babusar Pass, the road becomes rough enough that a 4×4 or hired jeep is the practical choice. Jeep hire is straightforward in Naran — drivers and vehicles are abundant in high season and they know the roads.