So, you’ve made it to Pakistan and no doubt you have been welcomed with amazing Pakistani hospitality. Aside from choosing where to stay the next big question is how to travel around in Pakistan.
Well, it is our third fourth time traveling in Pakistan and we have now tried multiple bus companies (and trains and taxis and everything in between) and can recommend the bus from Lahore to Islamabad.
This time round we took the Faisal Movers bus from Lahore to Islamabad.
So here is our review of Faisal Movers bus and everything you need to know to book your bus ticket and enjoy the ride from Lahore to Islamabad!
Which Bus to Take?
There are many different bus companies in Pakistan that travel the larger distances between cities.
There are far too many to list them all here.
But the three main bus services that operate between Lahore and Islamabad are:
- Faisal Movers
- Road Master
- Daewoo
This time we have taken the Faisal Movers bus from Lahore to Islamabad.
Why Take Faisal Movers Bus?
We have already reviewed the trip by Road Master (and had a great journey).
However, one advantage of Faisal Movers bus from Lahore to Islamabad is that you don’t need to book in advance.
This may not initially seem like an advantage as far as being organized for your travel in Pakistan. But in fact, booking a bus ticket in Pakistan is not that straightforward.
You are required to have a local phone number (great if you can buy a SIM card in Pakistan) and you need a Pakistani National ID Number. So because of this, it is easiest to ask your hotel or Tour Guide to assist with booking a bus ticket in Pakistan in advance.
Or you can opt to take the risk travel without prebooking a bus ticket and try Faisal Movers. Which we can now recommend!
Tickets for Faisal Movers Bus
How do you get a bus ticket for the Faisal Movers bus from Lahore to Islamabad?
I admit I was a little skeptical when our friendly guide told us you don’t need to book in advance. Instead, he said just turn up at the Faisal Movers bus terminal in Lahore.
In fact, this is exactly right.
Faisal Movers Bus Terminal
The Faisal Movers Bus Terminal is operated by Abdullah Travels in Lahore.
We got a taxi to the bus terminal from our hotel and arrived at 12:20pm. The next available Business Class bus from Lahore to Islamabad was at 2:00pm – and it was great!
However, I do suggest that you turn up earlier for a morning bus. We had had far too many late nights and didn’t get up early.
Normally for big travel days we always try to travel in the morning so that we are on the road early and have time to get to our hotel and get check in while its daylight.
Classes of Faisal Movers Bus
Which class of bus do you recommend to take?
Faisal Movers Bus offers two classes of bus ticket from Lahore to Islamabad:
- Executive Class
- Business Class
I asked at the booking office (at the Faisal Movers Bus Terminal) what the difference of the two classes was. Plus I could see outside looking at the size of the buses that Business Class did look significantly more luxurious.
It turns out the Business Class busses have reclining seats, massage chairs(!), snacks and drinks as refreshments as well as WIFI and AC.
Ticket Prices
How much does a Faisal Movers bus ticket cost from Lahore to Islamabad?
When booking with Faisal Movers Bus Lahore to Islamabad, you generally have two main tiers of comfort to choose from.
Both are air-conditioned and include a light snack service.
- Executive Class: Standard 2×2 seating with ample legroom.
- Business Class: Premium 2×1 seating with luxury recliners and more privacy.
Ticket Options & Updated Prices
| Travel Class | Price (PKR) |
| Executive Class | 2,450 ৳ |
| Business Class | 3,100 ৳ |
While Pakistan is moving toward digital payments, the experience at the physical terminal remains traditional. If you are purchasing your ticket in person at the Abdullah Travels Faisal Movers Bus Terminal in Lahore, be prepared to pay in cash only.
There are currently no EFTPOS or credit card facilities at the ticket counters.
- Tip: While there are ATMs near the terminal, they can often be out of service or have long queues. It is highly recommended to withdraw your PKR in the city centre before heading to the bus station.
Faisal Movers Bus Terminal in Lahore
On the Faisal Movers website there are two stations that are shown in Lahore:
- Faisal Movers (Main Terminal): Band Road
- Faisal Movers: Chowk Yateem Khana
Faisal Movers has its main terminal at Abdullah Travels on Band Road in Lahore.
This is where we got the bus to Islamabad from.
You will know you are in the right place in Lahore to get the Faisal Movers bus to Islamabad as the whole stretch of road along Band Road has so many (I couldn’t even count how many!) different bus companies.
- Tip: The larger companies are visible and stand out as you travel along Band Road. Faisal Movers is one of the largest bus terminals.
Faisal Movers Bus Terminal in Lahore
What are the facilities like at the Faisal Movers Bus Terminal in Lahore?
There is a ticket office (operated by Abdullah Travels) at the Faisal Movers Bus Terminal in Lahore.
- Business Class: If you are travelling by Business Class there is a large air conditioned waiting room with clean toilets.
- Executive Class: There is also a smaller waiting room for Executive Class.
There are public toilets outside in the main courtyard of the Faisal Movers Bus Terminal.
There is a small convenience store with snacks and drinks and everything else you could think of that you might need for your journey by bus from Lahore to Islamabad. The staff are lovely and gave us a complimentary coffee and juice for the kids.
- Tip: The terminal can get quite crowded during peak holiday times or Friday afternoons. If you are traveling in Pakistan with kids, head straight for the air-conditioned lounges as soon as you have your physical ticket in hand!
Journey Details
How long is the journey by bus from Lahore to Islamabad?
The bus journey between Lahore and Islamabad takes around 5 hours with Faisal Movers.
It is slightly shorter if you are embarking or disembarking at Rawalpindi instead of the Faizabad Bus Terminal in Islamabad (more about that below).
- Lahore to Faizabad Bus Terminal: 5 hours
- Lahore to Rawalpindi Bus Terminal: 4.5 hours
Does the Bus Stop on the Trip?
The Faisal Movers bus from Lahore to Islamabad stops once at a large highway stop about halfway into the journey.
There are restaurants and kiosks as well as public toilets.
- Note: Between Lahore and Islamabad the bus stops for 15 minutes only at this highway stop.
Arriving in Islamabad
The Faisal Movers bus from Lahore stops first at the large bus station in Rawalpindi.
This is not the closest stop to Islamabad, however.
Don’t make our mistake! We hopped off at this bus station on our last trip to Pakistan.
In fact, the bus from Lahore to Islamabad stops in Rawalpindi and then stops at the bus station in Faizabad.
- Tip: The Faizabad Bus Station is only 10km or 20-minutes by taxi to F7 in Islamabad.
Getting There: Faisal Movers Bus Station in Lahore
It’s easy to get around in Lahore by rickshaw or taxi.
Even if you don’t have a SIM card in Pakistan you can ask your hotel to call you an InDrive Taxi or rickshaw taxi, depending on how far away you are staying.
Getting There: Faisal Movers Bus Station in Islamabad
Arriving at the Faisal Movers Bus Terminal in Faizabad (Islamabad) is slightly overwhelming with regards to taxi drivers hawking their services.
We were lucky (check out our YouTube video of the bus from Lahore to Islamabad) and got a very friendly taxi driver who drove us from the Bus Terminal to our hotel in F-7 Islamabad for 1000 PKR ($3.30 USD).
We gave him a good tip as he was so kind – and honest – and it seems like a very reasonable fare for a 20-minute drive.
Anyway, there is no shortage of transport options once you arrive at the Bus Terminal in Faizabad!
Accommodation in Islamabad
These are the hotels we have stayed at in Islamabad and can recommend.
- Shelton’s Rezidor Islamabad
A good base for exploring Islamabad with basic breakfast included. Located in the F-7 Sector neighbourhood this is a good starting point in Islamabad.
- Grand Peace House II
A friendly small hotel set back from the main road with great security. A basic breakfast is cooked on request (eggs and toast with tea/coffee/juice). The room was very clean and WIFI is available.
- Shelton Mellton
A friendly, simple small guesthouse with basic rooms. The hotel is a converted large home and is operated by the family. Very reasonably priced for Islamabad and includes a basic breakfast delivered to your room (eggs, paratha and chai).
Each of these hotels in Islamabad is within walking distance of the F-7 Markaz (and more importantly within walking distance of the amazing Kabul Restaurant!).
Accommodation in Lahore
These are the hotels where we stayed in Lahore and can recommend for your visit.
- Rose Palace Hotel (Gulberg)
Good base for your first night in Pakistan (we’ve stayed here three times!). Basic hotel but with large plush rooms and large buffet breakfast included each morning. Gym onsite and a small shop and bakery at the entrance to the hotel.
- Grand Millennium Hotel (Davis Road)
We have stayed here multiple times as well. Spacious comfortable rooms with AC and a basic buffet breakfast. Location is closer to the old city and short rickshaw to Savour Foods and Anarkali Bazar.
Read More About Travel in Pakistan
- 15 Things To Do In Multan.
- 10 Things To Do In Islamabad.
- Day Trip Islamabad To Murree.
- 8 Things To Do In Islamabad With Kids.
- Day Trip Islamabad To Taxila.
- Crossing The Border From Pakistan To India.
- Review Of The Ramada By Wyndham In Multan.
- 10 Day Punjab India And Pakistan Itinerary.
Planning for Travel in Pakistan & Beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for 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.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in Asia.
- 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). Make sure you have insurance before travel by Faisal Movers bus in Pakistan!