Toyota Hiace in Pakistan

The Hiace is the default vehicle for group travel in this region, and the fleet in Rawalpindi and Islamabad is large. Configurations range from a standard twelve-seat van to a Grand Cabin with fifteen or sixteen seats and better suspension for hill routes. Families book it for a Murree run, offices for a team day out, and extended families for airport runs where a sedan simply will not hold the luggage.

Inside the twin cities expect Rs 18,000 to Rs 22,000 per day for a standard Hiace with driver and Rs 24,000 to Rs 30,000 for a Grand Cabin. Murree or Nathia Gali round trips run Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000 and Naran or Kaghan multi-day trips are priced per day plus a driver allowance. Fuel is usually included on fixed-route trips and excluded on open-ended hire, so confirm.

Check the model year and whether the vehicle is the roof-height version, since headroom matters on a five-hour drive. Ask whether air conditioning works on inclines, how many bags the rear can take with all seats occupied, and confirm the driver has run the route before. For hill trips, a recently serviced brake system is a fair thing to ask about.