Traveling by bus in Pakistan is an affordable and popular way to get around. (India may be famous for its trains; but in Pakistan travel by bus is the way to go!). You may have traveled from India and crossed over the Wagah Border. And if so, then Lahore will be your first stop. And from there it’s easy to get a bus from Lahore to Islamabad.
Here is everything you need to know to book and travel by bus from Lahore to Islamabad!
Which companies have a bus from Lahore to Islamabad?
The main companies booking a bus from Lahore to Islamabad are:
- Daewoo
- Faisal Movers
- Road Master
There are other companies, and of course you can hire a drive and take a taxi between the two cities. But these are the largest bus operators in Pakistan.
On our first trip we took a Premium Cruise Road Master bus from Lahore to Islamabad.
How long does the trip take by bus from Lahore to Islamabad?
The trip takes around 4.5 hours from Lahore to Islamabad. (And remember the trip ends in Faizabad, Rawalpindi).
Buying a ticket for the bus in Pakistan
Now, India has trains and Pakistan has buses. It isn’t quite so easy to book a bus ticket in Pakistan. But it is getting easier!
Faisal Movers, Daewoo and Road Master each have a website where you can book online with a local bank card. But it is debatable whether it will work with an international bank card…
The other slight challenge is that you can only book a bus from Lahore to Islamabad up to 7 days in advance. Which, if you are trying to be organized, doesn’t help very much with planning your Pakistan itinerary.
But there are plenty of buses from Lahore to Islamabad so rest assured you will not be stranded.
You have a few options for how to buy a bus ticket in Pakistan.
- Once you arrive in the country you can call the local number to make a reservation (phone numbers below).
- Book online within the 7 days (if your card works).
- Or you may find your hotel or a guide or agent that can book it for you.
To call and book a bus from Lahore to Islamabad:
- Daewoo: 0304 111 7008
- Faisal Movers: 03111 224 488
- Road Master: 03 101 722 822
How much does a ticket cost for the bus from Lahore to Islamabad?
Ticket prices for the bus from Lahore to Islamabad do vary somewhat by class of seat and by company.
Ticket prices range from 1850 – 3500 PKR (about $7 – $13 USD).
Where does the bus from Lahore to Islamabad depart from?
Each bus company has a different bus terminal in Lahore and in Rawalpindi (Islamabad).
Road Master Bus Terminals
- Lahore: Road Master Bus Terminal, Main Band Road near Gulshan-e-Ravi, Lahore.
- Islamabad: Islamabad Bus Terminal Chungi #26, Peshawar Road, Chowk, Islamabad.
And I feel like I need to make a special note here as we got off our bus at the first bus terminal in Rawalpindi – which was not the right one!
Fortunately, we had pre-booked a driver for our time in Islamabad and he was lovely and told us to wait right there and came and found us!
Faisal Movers Bus Terminals
Faisal Movers has four bus terminals in Lahore.
The main Faisal Movers bus terminal in Lahore is Abdullah Terminal on Band Road.
- Lahore: Abdullah Travels, Band Road, Lahore.
- Islamabad: New City Terminal, Street Number 26, Jhangi Syedian, Islamabad.
Daewoo Bus Terminals
- Lahore Thokar: Tokhar Niaz Baig between Multan Road and Mohlanwal Road (near POS Petrol Pump), Lahore.
- Rawalpindi (Islamabad): Khasra No. 1459/2/2 Village Jhangi Sayyedan (near EME College).
There is more information about the Daewoo Bus Terminals on the Daewoo Express website.
*But do note that the Daewoo bus from Lahore to Islamabad actually drops you in Rawalpindi.
Getting to the Bus Terminal in Lahore
It is easy to get a taxi or an Uber in Lahore directly to the bus terminal.
Just double check you are heading to the correct bus terminal as each bus company is separate.
What is the bus like?
The buses from Lahore to Islamabad are modern and comfortable coaches.
The bus has AC and likely comfortable reclining chairs.
Some of the buses offer free WIFI on board. And each of the bus company terminals has a small convenience store at the bus terminal.
And wait! Does the bus from Lahore to Islamabad not drop you off in Islamabad?
Islamabad is Pakistan’s capital city and the newest city in the country as well.
You might have been picturing a modern, air-conditioned bus station to match. But as you emerge from the desolate and dusty Punjabi countryside and find your bus journey imminently ending at a dated parking featuring barbwire fencing your initial concern is warranted.
This is not the imagined Islamabad downtown bus terminal. But don’t panic.
Passengers taking the bus from Lahore to Islamabad are dropped off in the old town of Rawalpindi. This is known as the ‘Sister City’ to Islamabad and is the older (original?) city.
From here you can get a taxi to your accommodation in Islamabad or if you are taking the Daewoo bus from Lahore to Islamabad there is a shuttle service.
Where to stay before and after taking the bus from Lahore to Islamabad
- Gulberg, Lahore: Rose Palace Hotel
A good base for your first night in Pakistan. A basic hotel but with large basic-but-plush rooms and buffet breakfast included each morning. Gym onsite and a small shop and bakery just at the entrance to the hotel. - Davis Road, Lahore: Grand Millennium Hotel
We have stayed here multiple times as well. GMH has spacious comfortable rooms with great AC and a basic buffet breakfast upstairs. The location is closer towards the old city and a short rickshaw ride to Savour Foods and Anarkali Bazar. - Islamabad: Shelton’s Rezidor Islamabad
A good base for exploring Islamabad with breakfast included. Located in the F-7 Sector neighbourhood in Islamabad.
Enjoy Islamabad
Islamabad is a great city to explore. And if you are coming by bus from Lahore to Islamabad then the first thing you will notice is the contrast of the two cities. They are very different!
Islamabad is new and with many modern malls and restaurants. (There is actually no ‘old’ part of the city in Islamabad as there is in Lahore).
Be sure to visit the incredible Faisal Mosque and if you have time for dinner at Monal then you are in luck!
More about travel planning for Pakistan and beyond…
These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- Hostelworld– The largest inventory of hostel accommodation in the world.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home).
Read more from travel in South Asia
- Taking an overnight train in Pakistan from Islamabad to Karachi.
- How to apply for a Pakistan e-Visa: And can you use it at the Wagah Border?
- Crossing the Wagah Border from India to Pakistan.
- Pakistan with kids: A complete guide to travel in Pakistan.
- Money in India: Using ATM’s, withdrawing and carrying your money safely.
- How to use a squat toilet: Everything you didn’t want to ask…
- Our complete packing list for travel in India.
