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Complete 2026 Guide · Islamabad & Rawalpindi

Metro Bus Islamabad
Routes & Stations

The complete guide to all four Islamabad–Rawalpindi Metro Bus lines — stations, timings, fares, interchanges, and everything else you need to commute with confidence.

Red Line · 13 Stations Orange Line · 5 Stations Blue Line · 5 Stations Green Line · 4 Stations
4
Metro Lines
27
Total Stations
PKR 30
Fare From
System Overview

Islamabad–Rawalpindi Metro Bus Network

The Islamabad–Rawalpindi Metro Bus system is one of Pakistan's most modern public transportation services. It connects major sectors of Islamabad with Rawalpindi through four metro routes — Red Line, Orange Line, Blue Line, and Green Line. Thousands of commuters use it daily for affordable, fast, and air-conditioned travel between the twin cities.

Each line serves a distinct purpose within the wider network. The Red Line is the backbone route, running the full length between Saddar Rawalpindi and Pak Secretariat Islamabad along Murree Road. The Orange Line branches toward Islamabad International Airport, making it essential for air travellers. The Blue Line follows the Islamabad Expressway corridor out to Rawat, while the Green Line serves the Margalla foothills route up to Bhara Kahu.

Together, these four lines form an integrated network with shared interchange stations — meaning a single journey can often combine two lines without leaving the metro system. Below, each line is broken down in full detail with stations, journey times, and what to expect.

Red Line
13 Stations Saddar ⇄ Pak Secretariat ~45 min End-to-End
Main Route

The Red Line is the primary and busiest metro route, running the full length of Murree Road and connecting Saddar Rawalpindi directly to Pak Secretariat in Islamabad. It's the backbone of the entire network and the route most commuters use daily.

Saddar
Start
Marrir Chowk
Liaquat Bagh
Committee Chowk
Waris Khan
Chandni Chowk
Rehmanabad
6th Road
Shamsabad
Faizabad
⇄ Blue Line
PIMS
⇄ Blue/Green
Parade Ground
Pak Secretariat
End
🏙️
Best For
Daily commuters travelling the full Rawalpindi–Islamabad corridor along Murree Road, including government employees and students.
🔀
Interchanges
Connects to the Blue Line at Faizabad and PIMS, and to the Green Line at PIMS — making it the most connected line in the network.
⏱️
Frequency
Buses arrive every 3–5 minutes during peak hours (8–10am, 5–7pm) and every 8–10 minutes off-peak.
Orange Line
5 Stations Faiz Ahmed Faiz ⇄ Airport ~30 min End-to-End
Airport Link

The Orange Line connects Islamabad International Airport with the wider metro network, running through NUST and G-13 before joining the Motorway Interchange. Essential for travellers flying in or out of Islamabad.

Faiz Ahmed Faiz Station
Start
NUST Area
G-13
Motorway Interchange
Islamabad Int'l Airport
End
✈️
Best For
Air travellers heading to or from Islamabad International Airport without needing a taxi or private car for the full journey.
🎓
Student Access
NUST Area station provides direct access for students commuting to and from the National University of Sciences and Technology.
🧳
Luggage Friendly
Buses on this line have extra space allocated for luggage and travel bags given the high volume of airport passengers.

Planning a trip to Murree after landing?

See our full Murree Road transport guide for onward buses, taxis, and route options from Islamabad to the hills.

Murree Road Transport Guide Find a Hotel
Blue Line
5 Stations PIMS ⇄ Rawat ~35 min End-to-End
Expressway Route

The Blue Line operates along the Islamabad Expressway, connecting suburban areas in the east with central Islamabad. It serves growing residential communities and is a key route for commuters living outside the city centre.

PIMS
⇄ Red/Green
Faizabad
⇄ Red Line
Koral
Gulberg Green
Rawat
End
🏘️
Best For
Residents of Gulberg Green and the wider Rawat corridor commuting into central Islamabad via the Expressway.
🔀
Interchanges
Connects to the Red Line at Faizabad and PIMS — a key transfer point for travellers continuing toward Murree Road.
🚗
Expressway Access
Runs parallel to the Islamabad Expressway, offering a faster alternative to driving during peak traffic hours.
Green Line
4 Stations PIMS ⇄ Bhara Kahu ~25 min End-to-End
Margalla Route

The Green Line connects PIMS to Bhara Kahu via Srinagar Highway, running along the base of the Margalla Hills. It's a shorter route but an important one for residents in the northern foothill sectors.

PIMS
⇄ Red/Blue
Daman-e-Koh Area
Bari Imam
Bhara Kahu
End
🏔️
Best For
Residents near Daman-e-Koh and the Margalla foothills, plus visitors heading toward Bhara Kahu en route to Murree.
🕌
Bari Imam Shrine
Direct access to the Bari Imam shrine — particularly busy during the annual Urs festival when visitor numbers surge.
🛣️
Gateway to Murree
Bhara Kahu is a common starting point for onward travel toward Murree via the old Murree Road route.
Connecting the Network

Key Interchange Stations

Three stations let you transfer between lines without leaving the metro system — understanding these makes cross-city journeys far more efficient.

🔀 Where the Lines Meet
Faizabad
Red Line Blue Line
The main interchange between Murree Road commuters and the Expressway corridor. Also the closest metro point to begin a journey toward Murree.
PIMS
Red Line Blue Line Green Line
The single busiest interchange in the network — three lines converge here, making it the easiest point to switch direction across the city.
Motorway Interchange
Orange Line
Connects the Orange Line to feeder bus routes serving the M1 and M2 motorway corridors beyond the immediate metro network.
Service Hours

Metro Bus Timings

Metro Bus services generally operate daily from 6:15 AM to 10:00 PM. During peak office hours, buses arrive every few minutes to accommodate passenger demand.

🌅
First Bus
6:15 AM
🌃
Last Bus
10:00 PM
⏱️
Peak Frequency
3–5 min
🕐
Off-Peak
8–10 min
📅
Operates
7 Days/Week
Cost of Travel

Metro Bus Fare

Metro Bus fares are affordable and usually range between PKR 30 and PKR 100 depending on the distance travelled and the number of zones crossed.

Journey TypeApprox. FarePayment
Short Journey (1–3 stations)PKR 30 – 40Token or Card
Medium Journey (4–8 stations)PKR 40 – 70Token or Card
Full Line (End-to-End)PKR 70 – 100Smart Card Recommended
Interchange Journey (2 lines)PKR 60 – 100Smart Card Recommended
🎫
Metro Tokens

Single-use paper or plastic tokens purchased at station counters or vending machines. Best for occasional riders.

💳
Smart Cards

Rechargeable cards that speed up boarding and often qualify for small fare discounts. Recommended for daily commuters.

📱
E-Ticketing

Digital ticketing via app-based systems is being expanded across stations, allowing cashless entry at supported gates.

Why Ride the Metro

Benefits of the Metro Bus Service

⚡
Fast Transportation
💰
Affordable Fares
❄️
Air-Conditioned
🚦
Reduces Congestion
🔒
Secure Travel
♿
Wheelchair Accessibility
All stations are equipped with ramps and level boarding platforms, with dedicated space for wheelchair users inside each bus.
👵
Priority Seating
Reserved seating near entry doors for elderly passengers, pregnant women, and those travelling with small children.
🚻
Station Facilities
Major interchange stations (Faizabad, PIMS) include restrooms, seating areas, and small kiosks for snacks and refreshments.
📹
CCTV & Security
Stations and buses are monitored with CCTV, and security staff are present at major interchange points throughout the day.
How It Compares

Metro Bus vs Other Transport Options

How the Metro Bus stacks up against rickshaws, local vans, and ride-hailing for a typical Rawalpindi–Islamabad journey.

TransportTypical FareSpeedComfort
🚌 Metro BusPKR 30 – 100★★★★★★★★★★
🚐 Local VanPKR 50 – 100★★★★★★★★★★
🛺 RickshawPKR 150 – 300★★★★★★★★★★
📱 Careem / UberPKR 300 – 800★★★★★★★★★★
Smart Commuting

Travel Tips for Passengers

🕐Avoid rush hours (8–10am, 5–7pm) if your schedule allows — off-peak journeys are noticeably faster and less crowded.
💳Use a metro smart card for quick access — it speeds up boarding significantly compared to single-use tokens.
💵Keep small cash amounts on hand for token purchases — station counters don't always have change for large notes.
📱Use route-planning apps for real-time navigation — they help you choose the fastest line and interchange for your journey.
🔀Plan interchanges in advance — knowing whether to transfer at Faizabad or PIMS can save significant time.
🧳If travelling with luggage to the airport, the Orange Line has more onboard space — allow extra time at NUST and G-13 stops.
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

The Red Line, running from Saddar in Rawalpindi to Pak Secretariat in Islamabad, is the primary and busiest metro route. It follows the Murree Road corridor and connects to all three other lines via interchange stations at Faizabad and PIMS.
Yes — the Orange Line connects Islamabad International Airport directly to the wider metro network via the Motorway Interchange, NUST Area, and G-13 stations, with Faiz Ahmed Faiz Station as its city-side terminal.
Metro Bus services generally operate from 6:15 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week. During peak office hours buses arrive every 3–5 minutes; off-peak frequency is roughly every 8–10 minutes.
Yes — fares typically range from PKR 30 to PKR 100 depending on distance, making it one of the most economical transport options for daily commuters in the twin cities, well below the cost of rickshaws or ride-hailing apps.
At interchange stations like Faizabad and PIMS, passengers can transfer between lines. Fare structures vary, but smart card users generally benefit from smoother transfers and may pay a combined fare rather than two separate fares.
The Red Line runs directly along Murree Road, with stops at Committee Chowk, Chandni Chowk, Rehmanabad, 6th Road, Shamsabad, and Faizabad — making it the most direct metro option for anyone heading toward the Murree Road corridor.
More Transport Guides

Related Pages

🚌
Murree Road Transport Guide
Buses, vans, rickshaws, and route planning
🏙️
Murree Road Travel Guide
Complete guide to getting around Rawalpindi
🚐
Best Restaurants on Murree Road
From famous desi pulao to rooftop family dining and quick fast food
🗺️
Best Ways to Travel in Islamabad
Comparing all transport options in the city
Before You Travel

Things to Know

A few extra details that make Metro Bus travel smoother.

🎒
Luggage Allowance

Standard carry-on sized bags are permitted on all lines. The Orange Line toward the airport has additional luggage racks given its higher volume of travellers with suitcases.

🚺
Women's Section

Most buses include a designated section for women near the front of the vehicle, with separate boarding queues at busier stations during peak hours.

📶
Connectivity

Major stations like Faizabad and PIMS have reliable mobile signal throughout. Coverage on the Green Line near the Margalla foothills can occasionally be weaker.