The best time to visit Murree depends on what you want from the trip. Summer is the busiest season, spring and early autumn are mild, and winter brings the snow that fills the roads with visitors. The weather also differs between Murree town and Nathia Gali, which sits higher and further into the Galiyat hills.
This calendar combines published climate data with dated reports of recent snow restrictions so you can pick a month and plan around the crowds. Last checked: October 2026.
Quick answer: when should you go?
- For mild weather and fewer people: April to May and September to October. The climate table below shows daytime highs of about 19 to 22°C in April and May, and about 21°C in September.
- For snow: Late December to early March is the usual window, with heavy spells reported in late January 2026. Book a room first, because entry restrictions were announced during that snowfall.
- For a summer escape: June to August is the peak tourist season, but July and August are also the wettest months.
- For lower prices: A travel wiki says summer room rates can be five to six times the winter rate, so winter and shoulder months cost less.
Murree weather by month
The figures below are Murree’s climate normals from 1961 to 1990, from NOAA. They are old averages, so use them to compare months, not to predict a given week.
| Month | Mean high | Mean low | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.4°C | −3.2°C | Cold, snow possible |
| February | 9.6°C | −2.8°C | Cold, snow possible |
| March | 13.1°C | 1.2°C | Cool, late snow possible |
| April | 19.2°C | 8.2°C | Mild |
| May | 21.7°C | 14.8°C | Mild, pleasant |
| June | 26.1°C | 17.1°C | Warmest month |
| July | 23.4°C | 16.7°C | Wettest month (about 418 mm) |
| August | 21.4°C | 16.2°C | Very wet (about 336 mm) |
| September | 20.9°C | 13.2°C | Mild, rain easing |
| October | 18.6°C | 9.2°C | Cool, clear spells |
| November | 14.5°C | 4.2°C | Cold evenings |
| December | 10.9°C | 1.0°C | Cold, early snow possible |
The record low is −10.6°C in February and annual precipitation of about 1,904 mm. It gives the town’s elevation as about 2,291 m.
Season by season
Spring (March to May)
March is still cold, and Western Disturbances usually bring snowfall between late February and early March. By April and May the days warm to about 19 to 22°C, which makes these the most comfortable months for walking the Mall and the surrounding trails.
Summer (June to August)
Murree is a classic escape from the heat of the plains, and a travel wiki describes it as overcrowded in summer. June has the warmest days, but July and August are the wettest months, and rain can make hill roads slippery. If you come in these months, book ahead and leave early to avoid traffic on the Islamabad road.
Early autumn (September and October)
Rain eases and daytime highs sit around 19 to 21°C. Crowds are usually lighter than in summer, though we could not find official visitor numbers, so treat that as a general pattern. Our guide to Pakistan in October covers conditions across the country at this time.
Winter (November to February)
November evenings are cold, December brings the first snow risk, and January and February are the coldest months, with mean lows below freezing. A travel wiki says winter is quieter, but snow days are the exception: they draw large crowds and can overwhelm roads and hotels. Read our Murree snowfall guide before planning a snow trip.
Nathia Gali: how the calendar differs
Nathia Gali sits at about 2,410 m, roughly 32 km from both Murree and Abbottabad. That is higher than Murree, so it is cooler. Treat these seasonal ranges as approximate:
| Season | Daytime | Night | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer (May to August) | 22 to 25°C | 13 to 16°C | Mild, can be foggy |
| Monsoon (1 July to 16 September) | Not given | Not given | Rain expected almost every day |
| Winter (November to February) | 6 to 9°C | −4 to 0°C | Colder spells to about −6°C |
Heavy snow used to arrive in December and January but now falls mostly in February, though that statement comes from an older local source. Annual rainfall is given as 1,650 to 1,850 mm. The same page describes the town as popular in summer but less crowded than Murree, although that line has no citation. For a head-to-head comparison, read Murree vs Nathia Gali, then see our guides to Galiyat and Ayubia National Park.
Planning a snow trip: what recent winters showed
Snow days are when Murree is hardest to visit. Three recent events show why you should plan carefully.
- January 2022: More than 20 people died in their vehicles from hypothermia after being stranded in a heavy snowstorm, citing the Washington Post. ARY News reported that the Punjab government then barred tourists, and later allowed conditional entry with a vehicle cap and night-time ban.
- 23 January 2026: Up to 12 inches of snow in 24 hours across Murree and Galiyat. Punjab’s disaster authority urged tourists to avoid non-essential travel, and traffic from Phulgran Toll Plaza toward Murree was suspended.
- 28 January 2026: Tourists would only be allowed to enter Murree with confirmed hotel bookings, with residents exempt. The report did not say how long the rule would last.
The practical lesson is to book a room before you leave, check advisories on the day, and be ready to turn back. Do not rely on finding a room on arrival. Our Murree snowfall guide has more on snow safety, and our Bhurban and Patriata guide covers the quieter areas nearby.
Getting there and road tips
Murree has no airport or railway station, so most visitors drive from Islamabad or Rawalpindi. A travel wiki says the Islamabad–Murree Expressway takes about one hour and the older road about one and a half hours, but snow, crowds and breakdowns can add much more. The same source warns of sharp bends, overheating cars on the climb, landslides after melt, and a poor accident record on the Expressway. It also advises parking outside the centre and walking in, because traffic in the middle of town can be severe.
Which month should you choose?
| If you want | Choose | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Mild weather, walks, fewer crowds | April, May, late September, October | Occasional rain; book weekends early |
| Cool escape from the plains | June | Peak crowds and higher prices |
| Snow | Late December to early March | Road closures, entry restrictions, no rooms without a booking |
| Lower hotel prices | Winter weekdays, shoulder months | Cold nights; some places may be shut |
| Fewer storms | Avoid July and August | Wettest months, slippery roads |
Our monthly guides cover the wider picture: Pakistan in December, Pakistan in January and Pakistan in February.
What to pack
- Warm layers, a waterproof jacket and gloves from November to March
- Shoes with good grip, since melting snow and rain make paths slippery
- A rain jacket and spare socks in July and August
- Snow chains and a full tank if you are driving in snow season, and a phone power bank
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Murree?
April, May and October offer mild weather and lighter crowds than summer. If you want snow, plan for late December to early March.
When does it snow in Murree?
Western Disturbances usually bring snow between late February and early March, and heavy spells were reported in January 2026. Dates vary each year.
Is Murree crowded in summer?
Yes. A travel wiki describes it as overcrowded in the summer peak, and room rates can be several times higher than in winter.
Is Nathia Gali colder than Murree?
It sits higher, at about 2,410 m against about 2,291 m for Murree, so it is generally cooler, though the figures come from different sources and years.
Do I need a hotel booking to enter Murree?
During the January 2026 snowfall, tourists needed confirmed hotel bookings. Check current advisories before you travel.
Which months are rainiest?
July and August are the wettest months in the climate table, with about 418 mm and 336 mm of rain.
Weather, road status and entry rules change quickly. Confirm advisories with local authorities before you travel.
Sources
- Aaj News, Heavy snowfall batters Murree, Galiyat (23 January 2026)
- ProPakistani, Murree to ban tourists without hotel reservations (28 January 2026)