Lahore Orange Line Metro Train: Route, Fare and Timings

The Lahore Orange Line Metro Train is a 27.1 km elevated and underground line with 26 stations, running between Ali Town in the west and Dera Gujran in the east. It opened on 25 October 2020 and runs roughly from 6 am to 10 pm. The fare was reported at PKR 45 in late 2025, and since July 2026 you pay by digital methods rather than tokens or cards, which matters more to a first-time rider than the fare itself.

It is the fastest way to cross Lahore, and it passes or stops near several places visitors want to see: Chauburji, Lakshmi Chowk, Anarkali, the railway station and Shalimar Gardens. This guide covers the route, the fare and how to pay, timings, and which stops are useful.

Orange Line route and stations

The line runs east to west across the city, and the stations named by transit guides include, from the eastern end, Dera Gujran, Thokar Niaz Baig, Canal View, Hanjarwal, Wahdat Road, Awan Town, Sabzazar, Shahnoor, Salahuddin Road, Bund Road, Samanabad and Gulshan-e-Ravi. In the middle of the line come Chauburji, GPO, Lakshmi Chowk and the Railway Station, followed by Sultanpura, UET, Baghbanpura and Shalimar Gardens. The western end runs through Pakistan Mint, Mahmood Booti, Salamatpura and Islam Park to Ali Town.

Only Anarkali and GPO are underground. The rest of the line is on a viaduct, so the ride gives you a view over the rooftops of the old city and its neighbourhoods, and there is no traffic to sit in.

Official spellings of some station names differ between sources. Follow the signs at the station rather than a written list.

Fare and how to pay in 2026

Fares have changed several times and sources disagree on the figure. Early Wikipedia figures give a graduated range of PKR 25 to 45 depending on distance. News reports in November 2025 gave the Orange Line fare as PKR 45 and reported that the Punjab Masstransit Authority was preparing a proposal to raise it to PKR 50, which needed several government approvals. We could not confirm that the increase went ahead. Use PKR 45 to 50 as a planning figure and pay what the station shows.

Two recent changes affect visitors:

• Free travel ended on 13 June 2026. The Punjab government had made the Orange Line, Metrobus and Speedo buses free from April 2026 as temporary relief when petrol prices rose. Normal fares were restored on 13 June.
• The token and card system ended in July 2026. The Lahore Mass Transit Authority announced that passengers should now pay using a T-Cash card, the official mobile app or an ATM or debit card. Old cards could be handed back for the PKR 130 security deposit, and balances were not refunded. Some riders reported still being asked to recharge old cards after the announcement, so allow a few extra minutes on your first ride and carry a bank card.

Senior citizens and people with disabilities were reported to travel free in listing sources. Ask at the counter.

Timings and frequency

The line runs about 6 am to 10 pm every day, with the last train from each terminal a little before closing. Trains come every few minutes at peak hours and less often in the middle of the day and late evening. If you are travelling late, do not cut it fine, because the last train departs before the stated closing time.

Timings can change on Ramadan evenings, Eid, and public holidays, and are sometimes adjusted for events. Check the station or the official app if you are planning a late return.

Useful stops for visitors

• Chauburji. The station is at the Mughal-era gateway of the same name, one of the monuments the line was built around. See our guide to Chauburji.
• Anarkali and GPO. The two underground stations put you near the Mall, the Lahore Museum and the old markets. Our page on Anarkali Bazaar covers what to do there.
• Lakshmi Chowk. The station is close to the famous food stalls on Lakshmi Chowk, useful for an evening meal. See Lakshmi Chowk food.
• Railway Station. The stop for long-distance trains.
• Shalimar Gardens. The station of that name is the stop for the UNESCO garden, described in our Shalimar Gardens guide.
• Thokar Niaz Baig. A major junction on the way to the motorway and the south-west of the city.

The line does not go inside the Walled City. For the fort and Badshahi Mosque, get off at Anarkali or a nearby station and take a rickshaw or walk. Our Delhi Gate page covers approaching from that side.

A sample visitor route

A simple heritage day: ride to Chauburji and see the gateway, continue to Anarkali for the museum and markets, then take the train on to Lakshmi Chowk for dinner. If you would rather see a garden, go east to west across the middle of the line to Shalimar Gardens and back. Each trip is a single ride with no changes, since it is one line, so the only decision is which direction to board. Allow a little extra time on the first ride while you sort out payment.

Tips for a smooth ride

• Avoid the morning and evening peaks if you can, because trains are packed on weekdays.
• Keep your bag in front of you and watch your phone in crowded carriages.
• Check the station name on the platform sign before getting off, especially on a first ride.
• Compare it with the Metrobus, which runs north to south, in our guide to the Lahore Metrobus, and with the wider getting around Lahore options.

Is the Orange Line worth using?

Yes, for east-west trips: from the railway station to Shalimar Gardens, from Anarkali to Thokar Niaz Baig, or across town in the heat. It is cheap and predictable, and it avoids road traffic entirely.

It suits less well anyone planning a day in the Walled City itself, where rickshaws and walking are better, or anyone with a lot of luggage. For more about visiting the city, start with our travel guide.

Frequently asked questions