The Islamabad Metro Bus route most visitors mean is the Red Line, a 22.5 km bus corridor with 24 stations running between Saddar in Rawalpindi and the Pak Secretariat in Islamabad. It opened on 4 June 2015, runs daily from about 6:15 am to 10 pm, and in March 2026 the operator confirmed a flat fare of Rs30 a ride. Buses come every three to six minutes.
It is the cheapest and least stressful way to cross between the twin cities, and it drops you close to several places tourists want, though not the Margalla Hills or Faisal Mosque directly. This guide lists the stations in order, explains the fare situation, and says where the metro is worth using and where a taxi is easier.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Route | Saddar (Rawalpindi) to Pak Secretariat (Islamabad) |
| Length | About 22.5 km, 24 stations |
| Opened | 4 June 2015 |
| Timings | About 6:15 am to 10 pm, daily |
| Frequency | Every 3 to 6 minutes |
| Red Line fare | Rs30 per ride (March 2026, per the operator) |
| Other lines | Orange, Blue and Green lines, plus feeder buses, run on different fares |
What is the Islamabad Metro Bus route?
The original line, now called the Red Line, follows the Islamabad Expressway and Murree Road corridor. It starts at Saddar Terminal in the middle of Rawalpindi, runs north-east through the city, crosses into Islamabad at Faizabad, and continues along the Expressway to the Blue Area, ending at the Pak Secretariat terminal near the government buildings.
Buses run in dedicated lanes for most of the way, which is why the trip is predictable even when the roads beside it are jammed. Part of the line is elevated or underground, so on some stretches you will not see the street at all.
Three other lines share the network. The Orange Line links Faiz Ahmed Faiz station on the Red Line with the New Islamabad International Airport. The Blue Line runs from PIMS to Gulberg Green, and the Green Line from PIMS to Bhara Kahu. Electric feeder buses run from metro stations to sectors and landmarks the main lines do not reach. Those are run by the Capital Development Authority, and their routes have been added to since 2024.
The 24 Red Line stations in order
From the Rawalpindi end to the Islamabad end:
- Saddar Terminal
- Marrir Chowk
- Liaqat National Bagh
- Committee Chowk
- Waris Khan
- Chandni Chowk
- Rehmanabad
- 6th Road
- Shamsabad
- Faizabad
- IJP Road
- Potohar
- Khayaban-e-Johar
- Faiz Ahmed Faiz
- Peshawar Morr
- Chaman
- Ibn-e-Sina
- Katchery
- PIMS
- Stock Exchange
- 7th Avenue
- Shaheed-e-Millat
- Parade Ground
- Pak Secretariat Terminal
Not every bus stops at every station, and services can be limited or extended, so check the destination board on the front of the bus and ask a member of staff on the platform if you are unsure.
What is the Islamabad Metro Bus fare?
On the Red Line, the operator said in March 2026 that it was charging Rs30 per person, and it denied reports of an increase. That is the figure to plan on for Saddar to Pak Secretariat.
Fares elsewhere on the network have moved more. The CDA-run lines and feeders were raised from Rs50 to Rs100 in June 2025, and there have been reports since of that being reversed. Because the Orange, Blue and Green lines and the feeder buses have changed more than once, we do not print a figure for them. Ask at the ticket counter, and carry small notes.
You pay at the station before boarding, either with a single-ride token or with a refillable card. A card saves queuing if you plan several trips, but for a one-day visit a token is simpler. Fares, like fuel prices, are reviewed from time to time, so treat every figure here as what it was in 2026.
Metro Bus timings
The network runs daily from about 6:15 am to 10 pm. In late March 2026 the Punjab Mass Transit Authority shortened the last service to 9 pm to save fuel, and restored 10 pm within days. The last bus in each direction leaves at 10 pm.
Do not cut it fine at the end of the evening. Take a bus that leaves at least half an hour before closing, especially if you are travelling to a terminal rather than getting off midway. During Ramadan, Eid and fuel-saving measures, operating hours can change, so check the day before if your plans depend on the last bus.
Which stations are useful for visitors?
The Red Line is more of a commuter route than a sightseeing one, but several stations are handy.
- Saddar Terminal. The start of the line in Rawalpindi, close to the old city bazaars, Raja Bazaar and the Murree Road area. A cheap way to reach Rawalpindi from Islamabad for shopping and street food.
- Faizabad. The big junction where the Expressway, Murree Road and the Islamabad Highway meet. It is a busy changing point between the metro and road transport.
- Faiz Ahmed Faiz. The station where you change for the Orange Line to the airport.
- PIMS. The main hospital and the hub where the Blue and Green lines start, and where several feeder routes begin. It is also the usual place to change for buses towards Faisal Mosque and Daman-e-Koh.
- Stock Exchange, 7th Avenue and Shaheed-e-Millat. Stops along the Blue Area corridor, in reach of hotels, offices and restaurants.
- Parade Ground and Pak Secretariat. The Islamabad end, near the Red Zone and the government buildings. A taxi or ride-hailing car is the practical way on from here.
Islamabad is spread out, and some of the best-known sights are well away from the corridor. Faisal Mosque, the Pakistan Monument and the Margalla trails are not on the Red Line, so combine the metro with a feeder or a short cab ride. Our travel guide covers moving around Pakistan more broadly, and our guide to getting around Islamabad compares the options, and our pages on Faisal Mosque and the Pakistan Monument give directions for each.
Feeder buses to the sights
CDA electric feeder routes run out from metro stations, mainly from PIMS, into the sectors. Published transit maps show a route from PIMS towards Faisal Mosque and the Pak Secretariat, and a weekend service towards Daman-e-Koh. Routes and frequencies have been added and changed since 2024, and the CDA said it was working on card and app payment for the feeders.
Check the current map at the CDA website or at the PIMS station before relying on a feeder, and keep a taxi as a fallback, particularly on weekdays when a weekend-only service will not be running.
Tips for using the Metro Bus
- Avoid the peaks if you can. The morning and evening commute, roughly 8 to 10 am and 4 to 7 pm, are the busiest times.
- Ask staff where to board. Women and families travelling together can ask station staff which door and section suit them.
- Keep bags in front of you. As on any crowded public transport, pickpocketing is possible at busy stations.
- Have change ready. Ticket counters prefer the exact fare or small notes.
- Do not board with large luggage if you can avoid it. The buses are built for commuters. If you are arriving with suitcases, take a cab from the airport or railway station.
Is the Metro Bus worth using as a visitor?
For getting between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, yes. It is cheap, frequent, and unaffected by traffic on the Expressway. If your hotel is in Rawalpindi or near a station, it saves real money over a day of cab rides.
It suits solo travellers, students and anyone comfortable with a crowded bus. It is less suitable for families with small children, elderly relatives or a lot of bags, and it will not take you to the trailheads or viewpoints in the hills. For a day of sightseeing in the sectors, most visitors combine a taxi or ride-hailing app with the metro for the cross-city legs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Islamabad Metro Bus fare in 2026?
On the Red Line between Saddar and Pak Secretariat, the operator said the fare was Rs30 per person in March 2026. Fares on the Orange, Blue and Green lines and feeders differ and have changed several times, so check at the counter.
What are the Metro Bus timings in Islamabad?
Daily from about 6:15 am to 10 pm. Hours were cut to 9 pm for a few days in March 2026 and then restored, so check for temporary changes.
How many stations are on the Islamabad Metro Bus Red Line?
There are 24, from Saddar Terminal in Rawalpindi to Pak Secretariat Terminal in Islamabad, over about 22.5 km.
Can I take the Metro Bus to the airport?
Yes, change at Faiz Ahmed Faiz station to the Orange Line, which runs to the New Islamabad International Airport. It is slower than a taxi with luggage but much cheaper.
Does the Metro Bus go to Faisal Mosque?
Not directly. You would change at PIMS to a CDA feeder route, or take a taxi from a nearby station. Check the current feeder map first.
Is the Metro Bus safe for women travelling alone?
Many women use it daily. As on any busy public transport, keep valuables secure, avoid the most crowded peak hours, and ask station staff where to board.
