Getting around Islamabad means choosing between a cheap but fixed-route Metrobus network, electric feeder buses that fill in the gaps, and ride-hailing apps for anything off that grid. There is no Uber or Careem here any more; both have withdrawn from Pakistan, and inDrive and Yango have taken their place. Which option makes sense depends on where you're going and how much time you want to spend on transfers.
This guide covers each option and which of Islamabad's main sights genuinely need a car.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Metrobus lines | Red, Orange, Blue, Green, plus electric feeder routes |
| Metrobus fares | Roughly PKR 50 to 100 depending on the line (2026) |
| Metrobus hours | About 6:15 am to 10 pm daily |
| Ride-hailing apps | inDrive and Yango (Uber and Careem have both left Pakistan) |
| Sights needing a car | The Margalla Hills viewpoints, Rawal Lake, and most points beyond central sectors |
The Metrobus network
Islamabad and Rawalpindi share a Metrobus system built around four main lines. The Red Line runs between Rawalpindi and Islamabad along a 23 km corridor through Faizabad and Chandni Chowk; the Orange Line covers 25.6 km out to Islamabad International Airport, serving NUST and G-13 along the way; the Blue Line runs about 20 km from PIMS to Gulberg Green through the G-7/G-8 sectors and Shakarparian; and the Green Line covers roughly 15.5 km from PIMS out to Bhara Kahu, passing Aabpara, the Foreign Office area and Lake View Park.
Fares run roughly from PKR 50 to 100 depending on the line, paid either with a single-use token, valid for about an hour, or a rechargeable T-Cash smart card, which carries a one-off issuance fee. Buses run from around 6:15 am to 10 pm, with the busiest lines arriving every few minutes and the others somewhat less frequently.
The catch is coverage: the Metrobus only goes where its four corridors run. If your destination sits off that line, you'll need to combine it with a feeder bus, rickshaw or ride-hailing trip for the last stretch.
Electric feeder buses
To fill the gap between the main corridors and residential sectors, the Capital Development Authority runs a network of electric feeder buses connecting outlying sectors to the main Metrobus stations, with more than a dozen routes now in service and the fleet steadily expanding. Fares are similar to the main Metrobus lines, and the buses are air-conditioned with real-time tracking, making them a reasonable option for reaching a sector that isn't directly on the Red, Orange, Blue or Green line.
Ride-hailing: inDrive and Yango
Uber withdrew from Pakistan in stages, ending its remaining Lahore service in 2024, and Careem, which had covered the rest of the country including Islamabad, shut down its Pakistan operations entirely in July 2025 after almost a decade in the market. Their place has been taken by inDrive, where you negotiate or accept a fare before the ride, and Yango, a more recent entrant offering standard app-based booking for cars and bikes. Both operate in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and are the practical way to get door to door for anywhere the Metrobus doesn't reach.
Fares are generally cheaper than a metered taxi and roughly double what the Metrobus costs for a comparable trip, which is a fair trade for the time saved on transfers, particularly with luggage or in the heat.
Rickshaws and taxis
Traditional auto-rickshaws and taxis still operate around the city, particularly in Rawalpindi and older commercial areas, and are worth flagging down for short hops where a ride-hailing app might take a few minutes to find a driver. Agree the fare before you get in if the rickshaw has no meter, which is common.
Which sights need a car
Islamabad's compact core, Blue Area, the Metrobus corridors and the central sectors, is manageable with a mix of Metrobus and ride-hailing. A private car or ride-hailing trip makes more sense for:
- The Margalla Hills viewpoints, including Daman-e-Koh and Pir Sohawa, which sit up winding hill roads well away from any bus route.
- Rawal Lake and Lake View Park, on the city's edge and awkward to combine with public transport if you're also carrying picnic gear.
- Faisal Mosque, technically reachable by bus but far more convenient by car given the mosque's own large approach road and parking.
- Anywhere outside central Islamabad, such as Saidpur Village, Golra Sharif or Simly Dam, which sit beyond the practical reach of the bus network.
For a full look at what to see once you've worked out how to reach it, our Islamabad travel guide covers the rest of the capital's sights and how to sequence them.
Frequently asked questions
Is Uber available in Islamabad?
No. Uber withdrew from Pakistan in stages and ended its last remaining service in 2024. inDrive and Yango are the ride-hailing apps operating in Islamabad now.
Is Careem still working in Islamabad?
No. Careem shut down all of its Pakistan operations in July 2025 after almost a decade in the market. Use inDrive or Yango instead.
How much does the Islamabad Metrobus cost?
Fares run roughly from PKR 50 to 100 depending on the line, paid by single-use token or a rechargeable smart card. Prices can change, so check current fares at the station.
Can I reach the Margalla Hills viewpoints by public transport?
Not practically. Daman-e-Koh and Pir Sohawa sit up hill roads away from any Metrobus route, so a car, taxi or ride-hailing trip is the realistic option.
What are Islamabad's Metrobus operating hours?
Generally about 6:15 am to 10 pm daily, though frequency varies by line, with the Red Line running most often.
