Lahore Metro Bus: Route, Fare and Tourist Stops (2026)

The Lahore Metrobus is a 27 km bus rapid transit line with 27 stations, running north to south between Shahdara and Gajjumata. It opened on 11 February 2013, works roughly from 6 am to 10 pm, and takes about 50 minutes end to end. The fare was reported at PKR 30 in late 2025, and since July 2026 you pay digitally, not with a token or card. For visitors, the stops that matter are Azadi Chowk for Minar-e-Pakistan and the Badshahi Mosque area, and Bhatti Chowk for Data Darbar.

This guide lists the route in order, the fare and payment, and which stop to use for the places people ask about. The Orange Line train covers the east-west direction, and it has its own page on the Lahore Orange Line.

The Lahore Metrobus route in order

The stations named on the route, from north to south, are Shahdara, Niazi Chowk, Timber Market, Azadi Chowk, Bhatti Chowk, Katchery, Civil Secretariat, MAO College, Janazgah, Qartaba Chowk, Shama, Ichhra, Canal, Qaddafi Stadium, Kalma Chowk, Model Town, Naseerabad, Ittefaq Hospital, Qainchi, Ghazi Chowk, Chungi Amar Sidhu, Kamahan, Atari Saroba, Nishtar Colony, Youhanabad, Dulu Khurd and Gajjumata.

The buses run in their own lane, which is why the journey time does not change much with traffic. Some feeder and Speedo routes join the main line at certain stops.

Fare and payment in 2026

The Metrobus fare was PKR 30 regardless of distance when news reports in November 2025 discussed a proposal from the Punjab Masstransit Authority to raise it to PKR 40. That proposal needed government approval and we could not confirm it went ahead. Plan on PKR 30 to 40 and pay what the counter shows.

Two changes in 2026 matter:

• Free travel ran from April 2026 to 12 June 2026. The Punjab government made the Metrobus, Orange Line and Speedo buses free as temporary relief during a fuel-price rise. Normal fares came back on 13 June 2026.
• The token and card system ended in July 2026. Passengers now pay with a T-Cash card, the official app or an ATM or debit card. Old cards could be returned for the PKR 130 deposit, while remaining balances were not refunded. Some riders said they were still asked to top up old cards after the announcement, so carry a bank card and a little extra time.

Older guides that mention tokens, vending machines and multi-trip discounts describe the earlier system.

Which stop for which place?

• Minar-e-Pakistan and Greater Iqbal Park: Azadi Chowk. This is the nearest Metrobus stop to the monument, a short walk from the Circular Road entrance of the park. It is also close to the Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort side of the Walled City. See our guides to Minar-e-Pakistan and Badshahi Mosque.
• Data Darbar: Bhatti Chowk. The station sits on Data Darbar Road and is the closest Metrobus stop to the shrine. Read Data Darbar Lahore for what to expect and how to behave there.
• Gaddafi Stadium: Qaddafi Stadium station. It is named for the ground, so it is the stop for match days. Check our page on Gaddafi Stadium for tickets and how crowds move.
• Liberty Market and Main Boulevard: Kalma Chowk. It is the closest station on the line to the Gulberg shopping area, and you will need a rickshaw or a walk from there. See Liberty Market.
• Government and museum area: Katchery, Civil Secretariat and MAO College. These stops run through the central Mall district.
• Ichhra and Model Town: stops for the markets of Ichhra and the residential district of Model Town.

The Metrobus does not enter the Walled City. Azadi Chowk and Bhatti Chowk are on its edge, and the streets inside are for walking or rickshaws.

A simple Metrobus day for visitors

Azadi Chowk and Bhatti Chowk are neighbouring stations on the line, in that order from the north, so one ticket each way covers a heritage morning on the edge of the old city. Get off at Azadi Chowk and see Minar-e-Pakistan and the mosque and fort area, then walk or take a rickshaw round to the Bhatti Gate side and Data Darbar, and rejoin the bus at Bhatti Chowk.

Heading back south, the same line takes you to Kalma Chowk for Gulberg or to Qaddafi Stadium station. Because the route is a single straight line, it is hard to get lost, and the only real decision is which direction to board. Plan for a longer walk between stations in July and August, when midday heat makes it tiring, and consider going in the early morning or after 4 pm.

Timings and frequency

Operating hours are listed as 6 am or 6:15 am to 10 pm, seven days a week. Guides describe buses every two to three minutes at peak hours and longer gaps off-peak. Timings may change during Ramadan, Eid and on other special days.

Buses are full at the morning and evening peaks, and less so between 10 am and 3 pm.

Tips for using the Metrobus

• Have your payment method ready before you reach the gate, since the entry system now uses digital payment.
• Priority seats are for women, children, older passengers and people with disabilities.
• Keep phones and wallets secure at busy stations, especially at Azadi Chowk on weekends.
• Check the direction sign before boarding. The line runs north-south and each platform serves one direction.
• Compare it with rickshaws and ride-hailing in our guide to getting around Lahore.

Is the Metrobus worth using?

For north-south trips, yes. It is cheap, it avoids most of the traffic on the corridor, and it is the simplest way to reach Azadi Chowk from Gulberg or Model Town without a rickshaw negotiation.

It suits less well anyone going to the fort or Walled City heart from a hotel on the Mall, where a short ride costs little, or anyone with a lot of luggage or small children at peak hours. For a wider look at moving around and what to see, use our travel guide.

Frequently asked questions