Karachi public transport is not a single joined-up network, but it has more than it is given credit for: the Sindh government's Peoples Bus Service, two working bus rapid transit lines, the Karachi Circular Railway, rickshaws everywhere, and ride-hailing apps. For most visitors, ride-hailing or a hired car covers the bulk of a trip, and a few specific bus routes are worth knowing because they reach the places visitors actually go: Clifton, Sea View, Hawke's Bay and Mazar-e-Quaid.
This guide sets out what each option offers, which routes are useful, and when to use what.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Peoples Bus Service | Sindh government buses since June 2022; fixed fares; women-only Pink buses on some routes |
| Green Line BRT | Surjani Town to Numaish (Mazar-e-Quaid), 22 stations |
| Orange Line BRT | Short Orangi Town line, linking to the Green Line |
| Red Line BRT | Numaish to Malir Halt, under construction |
| Rickshaws | Everywhere; agree the fare first |
| Ride-hailing | inDrive, Yango and Bykea; Uber left in 2022 and Careem ended rides on 18 July 2025 |
| Best for most visitors | Ride-hailing, or a hired car with driver |
Peoples Bus Service
The Peoples Bus Service was inaugurated on 27 June 2022. It is owned by the Sindh government and operated by the National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation, and it started with 240 air-conditioned buses on seven routes. It has since grown to more than a dozen routes, including electric-bus routes marked EV, and a women-only Pink bus service that began in 2023. Buses run through the day; at launch the published hours were 8 am to 8 pm.
Fares were PKR 25 to 50 at launch and have been raised since: in 2022 the fare on the extended Gulshan-e-Hadeed to Tower route doubled to PKR 100, and the Sindh government announced a further phased increase from February 2025. We could not find a current official fare table, so carry small notes and ask the conductor. You pay on board.
Routes that are useful to a visitor
| Route | Runs between | Why a visitor might use it |
|---|---|---|
| EV-1 | Malir Cantonment and Sea View | Electric bus to the seafront |
| EV-2 | CMH Malir Cantonment and Dolmen Mall, Clifton | Clifton shopping and the seafront |
| Route 11 | Ziauddin Chowrangi, Clifton, and Miran Nakka, Lyari | Clifton to the old city |
| Route 10 (Pink) | Numaish Chowrangi and Ibrahim Hyderi | Mazar-e-Quaid area to the fishing town on the creek |
| Route 13 | Hawke's Bay and Tower | Launched July 2024; a budget way to the western beaches |
Route lists change as the network grows, and the routes above are from published lists between 2023 and 2024, so confirm a route is still running before you rely on it. The service is designed for commuters, not tourists: stops are not always signed in English, and buses fill up at rush hour. It is a good, cheap option if a route lines up with your trip, and a poor one for a family with luggage.
Bus rapid transit: Green, Orange and Red lines
The city's BRT network, branded Karachi Breeze, has two lines running and more being built.
- Green Line. Running since early 2022 on its own dedicated lane from Abdullah Chowk in Surjani Town to Numaish, next to Mazar-e-Quaid, with 22 stations and an extension towards Saddar under construction. Our Green Line BRT guide covers stations, the card and fares in detail. For visitors it is mainly useful for Mazar-e-Quaid and the north of the city.
- Orange Line. A short line through Orangi Town, completed in September 2022, which connects with the Green Line. Few visitors will need it.
- Red Line. A 27 km line from Numaish to Malir Halt, under construction since 2022 and well behind its original target. Expect roadworks and diversions along its corridor until it opens.
Karachi Circular Railway
Plans to revive the old Karachi Circular Railway loop have been announced many times, and it is not yet a practical way for a visitor to get around. Our Karachi Circular Railway guide explains what runs today.
Rickshaws
Auto-rickshaws are everywhere in Karachi and are a quick way to cover short distances that are not worth a car. They do not use meters, so agree the fare with the driver before you get in and expect to negotiate. Bykea's app also offers rickshaw rides if you would rather not haggle. Rickshaws are useful for short hops in areas like Saddar, where a car struggles with traffic and parking, but less comfortable for a family with luggage or for long cross-city trips in the heat.
Ride-hailing apps
inDrive and Yango operate widely in Karachi, with Bykea for motorbikes and rickshaws. Uber left Pakistan in 2022, and Careem ended its ride-hailing service in Pakistan on 18 July 2025, citing economic conditions and competition. Old guides that tell you to "take a Careem" are out of date.
For most visitors this is the simplest way to get around: the fare, route and driver details are recorded in the app, which removes the need to negotiate and gives you a record if anything goes wrong. It is also generally safer than hailing a vehicle off the street, since you know who is picking you up. Fares rise at peak times, in rain and around big events, so check before confirming. For the airport, see our Karachi airport to city guide.
Hiring a car with a driver
For a family, a group, or a day covering several spread-out sites, a hired car with a driver who knows the city is often more comfortable than piecing together several rides. It also removes the stress of driving and parking yourself in dense areas like Saddar. Hotels can usually arrange this; agree the day's plan and an approximate cost upfront.
Which option for which trip?
| Trip | Our choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Airport to Clifton or Saddar | Ride-hailing | Door to door with luggage |
| Saddar sights in one morning | Walk, plus rickshaws for short hops | Parking is the problem, not distance |
| Mazar-e-Quaid from North Nazimabad | Green Line | Numaish station is next to the Mazar |
| Clifton to Sea View or Dolmen Mall | Ride-hailing, or EV-1 and EV-2 if you are near a stop | Cheap and air-conditioned |
| A day at Hawke's Bay or the western beaches | Hired car | Return transport is hard to find late in the day |
| Several sites with family | Hired car with driver | One vehicle, one plan |
For wider safety context, our guide to is Karachi safe for tourists covers transport precautions, and our plan page can help with the rest of a Karachi itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Is Uber or Careem available in Karachi?
No. Uber left Pakistan in 2022 and Careem stopped ride-hailing on 18 July 2025. inDrive, Yango and Bykea are the apps to use.
How much is the Peoples Bus fare in Karachi?
It was PKR 25 to 50 at launch in 2022 and has been raised more than once since, most recently in a phased increase announced for February 2025. Ask the conductor for the current fare.
Is there a women-only bus in Karachi?
Yes. The Pink bus service, which began in 2023, runs women-only buses on some Peoples Bus routes.
Is the Green Line useful for tourists?
Mainly for Mazar-e-Quaid and the north of the city. It does not reach Clifton, Defence, Sea View or the airport.
What is the easiest way to get around Karachi as a first-time visitor?
Ride-hailing apps for most journeys, or a hired car with a driver if you are travelling as a family or covering several sites in a day.
