Islamabad and Rawalpindi do not have one bus station. Intercity buses leave from several operator terminals: Pirwadhai and Faizabad in Rawalpindi, a Faisal Movers terminal at Motorways Chowk (26 Number Chungi) on Peshawar Road, and Daewoo's main terminal near EME College on the Rawalpindi side. Which one you need depends on the company you booked with, so the first rule is to check the terminal printed on your ticket.
The capital is also planning a National Bus Terminal in Sector I-11/4, but at the time of writing it is only a plan. This guide sorts the existing terminals by where you are going, and says where information is thin.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Pirwadhai (Rawalpindi) | Near Peshawar Road; Faisal Movers has a terminal here, and it has long been the base for buses to the north |
| Faizabad (Rawalpindi/Islamabad border) | Faisal Movers and Daewoo have offices here; also the metro bus interchange |
| Motorways Chowk, 26 Number Chungi | Faisal Movers' Islamabad terminal on Peshawar Road |
| Daewoo main terminal | Near EME College, Jhangi Syedan, Peshawar Road side |
| Daewoo Islamabad shuttle point | G-7 Markaz, Islamabad |
| Planned National Bus Terminal | Sector I-11/4; in planning as of March 2026, no completion date |
Which terminal for which destination?
The terminal depends on the operator, so use this as a guide and confirm with your booking.
Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan and Karachi
The big Punjab and Sindh operators, Faisal Movers and Daewoo, run from the terminals above. Faisal Movers lists terminals at Faizabad, Pirwadhai and Motorways Chowk on Peshawar Road. Daewoo's main terminal is on the Rawalpindi side, near EME College. Our guide to Lahore to Islamabad by bus covers the route and what to expect.
Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Daewoo runs to Peshawar from its main terminal near EME College, and its Peshawar terminal is on GT Road. The other big operators use the Pirwadhai and Faizabad terminals. For routes into KP see our public transport guide to KPK.
Naran, Swat and Kaghan
Services to Naran and Swat are run mostly by smaller local operators, and we could not confirm a current, reliable list of their departure points. Ask the operator for the exact pick-up point when you book, and see our guides to the Naran bus service and the Swat bus service.
Gilgit, Hunza and Skardu
Buses to Gilgit-Baltistan, including NATCO and private operators, run from the Rawalpindi side, and older forum posts put NATCO at Pirwadhai. Timings and fares differ between sources, so confirm directly. Our guides to the NATCO bus to Gilgit, NATCO to Skardu and the Rawalpindi to Gilgit bus cover the journey itself.
Azad Kashmir
Buses to Rawalakot and Muzaffarabad leave from Rawalpindi. See Rawalpindi to Rawalakot by bus.
How do you get to the terminal?
Faizabad is the easiest, because it is the main interchange on the Islamabad metro bus route between Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Our guide to the Islamabad metro bus route explains the stops.
For Pirwadhai and the Peshawar Road terminals, an app-booked taxi or rickshaw is simplest, especially with luggage. Confirm the pick-up point in the app, because there can be more than one terminal on the same road.
Allow extra time in the evening when many buses depart. Traffic around Faizabad is heavy at peak hours.
Tips that save trouble
- Book by app or website where you can. Faisal Movers, Daewoo and NATCO all sell tickets online or by app; check the operator's own site rather than a reseller for your departure point.
- Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early, and carry your CNIC.
- Confirm the terminal the day before. Third-party listing sites can carry old addresses.
- Buy from the operator's own counter or app, not from someone at the gate.
- Night buses to the north are cold. Bring a jacket in any season.
Is it worth taking the bus?
For Lahore, Peshawar and other big cities, yes: a reserved seat on a scheduled coach is cheaper than a hired car and safe. For the north, the bus is the cheapest way to reach Gilgit and Skardu but the slowest and least flexible. For a family, a hired car with a driver often works out about the same per head and is easier with luggage and children.
Is it safe?
The terminals themselves are busy city places, so watch your bags and phone. The routes are a different matter. The UK government's advice (updated 22 September 2026) advises against all travel on the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas, and against all travel to Peshawar and Swat. Buses to Gilgit-Baltistan use that stretch, and Pakistani travellers continue to take them, but check local news and current police advice before you book. If you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's advice, because it can void your travel insurance.
Our tours use a different approach, and we advise against the KKH between Mansehra and Chilas in favour of Babusar in summer.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the main bus terminal in Islamabad?
Islamabad has no single main terminal. Faizabad, on the border with Rawalpindi, is the busiest hub, and the metro bus interchange is next to it. Faisal Movers also has a terminal at Motorways Chowk (26 Number Chungi) on Peshawar Road.
Where is Pirwadhai bus terminal?
In Pirwadhai, Rawalpindi, near Peshawar Road. Faisal Movers has a terminal there, and it is used by services for the north.
Where is the Daewoo terminal in Rawalpindi?
The main Daewoo terminal is at Jhangi Syedan near EME College. There is also a shuttle point at G-7 Markaz in Islamabad.
Is there a new bus terminal being built in Islamabad?
A National Bus Terminal is planned in Sector I-11/4, reviewed by the CDA in March 2026, but there is no date for completion.
Can I buy tickets online?
Yes. The larger operators sell online, and you should check the boarding terminal on your ticket.
