Getting Around New Mirpur City
New Mirpur City, the capital of Mirpur district in Azad Kashmir, is known as the "shopping capital of Azad Kashmir" and is sometimes called "Little England" because of its strong connections to the Mirpuri diaspora in the United Kingdom. For a visitor, the city is compact enough that getting around is fairly straightforward, though the range of options is narrower than in Pakistan's largest metropolises. This guide covers the practical ways to move around and how to reach the city from its main airport.
How Tourists Move Around the City
Within New Mirpur City, most short journeys are made by auto rickshaw or by car. The city's sights, shopping areas and accommodation are clustered around the centre, so you rarely need to travel far for day-to-day needs. Many shops in the city accept pound sterling, which is a convenience for British visitors in particular.
- Auto rickshaws are a very popular mode of transport within the city, and many of the newer rickshaws run on compressed natural gas (CNG).
- Car hire is also available for those who prefer to travel by private vehicle.
- Walking works well for the central shopping district, which is focused on Chowk Shaheeda and Mian Mohammed Road, where stores, plazas, malls and markets sit close together.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Visitors should therefore not expect to rely on trains or urban rail for getting around; the practical options are road-based, as set out below.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Mirpur has the busiest bus network in Azad Kashmir, and buses run from early morning to late night. This makes buses the mainstay of public transport for both local and longer-distance travel.
- Local and regional routes connect Mirpur with nearby places including Bhimber District, Dina, Gujrat, Jhelum, Kharian and Kotli District.
- Long-distance coaches link Mirpur with larger Pakistani cities such as Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Muzaffarabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi and Sialkot.
- Buses to Mirpur are available from various parts of the country, including from Islamabad Airport.
For ticket purchase, the practical approach is to arrange your seat at the bus station or through the coach operator before departure, particularly for the longer intercity routes.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
In practice, visitors should plan on the transport that is documented: auto rickshaws and hired cars for getting around town, and buses or coaches for longer journeys. If you want a private vehicle with a driver, car hire is the option to arrange.
Walkability
Walking is a reasonable way to explore the central shopping area around Chowk Shaheeda and Mian Mohammed Road, where the main retail streets, plazas and malls are concentrated. Beyond the centre, the city spreads out, so for most other trips an auto rickshaw or hired car will be more practical than walking.
Getting from the Airport into the City
New Mirpur City does not have its own airport. The nearest major gateway is Islamabad International Airport (ISB), roughly 130 km away by road. Sialkot International Airport is also an option, at about 110 km away.
- From Islamabad Airport: buses to Mirpur are available, making this a direct public-transport option for reaching the city.
- By road: the journey from either airport is a road transfer, so a hired car or a bus are the realistic choices.
- From Sialkot: Sialkot International Airport is the closer of the two airports, and onward travel to Mirpur is by road.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Plan around the bus schedule: services run from early morning to late night, so daytime and evening travel is generally feasible.
- Keep small change handy for auto rickshaws, which are the easiest way to cover short hops in the city.
- If you are arriving by air, arrange your onward bus or car transfer in advance, since the airports serving Mirpur are a considerable drive away.
- Note that a September 2019 earthquake caused significant infrastructure damage in the region; recovery has since taken place, and visits were considered safe as of 2022.