The bus from Lahore to Islamabad takes about 4.5 to 5 hours on the M-2 motorway and costs roughly PKR 1,600 to 3,700 one way in 2026, depending on the operator and the class. Daewoo Express, Faisal Movers and Skyways are the names most travellers choose, and all three run several departures a day. Fares below are rough figures from booking sites and operator fare lists in 2026, and they move with fuel prices, so check the price at the time you book.
This guide compares the three main operators, explains where the buses actually leave from and arrive, and covers the practical points that a fare table does not: luggage, timing around Eid and Friday evenings, and how the bus compares with the train and a car.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 370 to 390 km by road (M-2 is about 367 km) |
| Journey time | About 4.5 to 5 hours |
| Fare range | About PKR 1,500 to 5,500 depending on operator and class (2026) |
| Main operators | Daewoo Express, Faisal Movers, Skyways, plus smaller lines |
| Payment | Online, at the terminal counter, or by phone booking |
| Arrival | Islamabad or Rawalpindi, depending on the operator |
How long does the bus take?
Booking sites quote about 389 km and 4 hours 33 minutes for the route, and other sources put it at 4.5 to 5 hours. That is a driving time on the M-2 motorway, which is 367 km long and runs from Lahore to the Islamabad end. Real journeys add time at the toll plazas, at the rest stop most coaches use halfway, and in city traffic at both ends.
Plan on five hours door to door from terminal to terminal as a comfortable figure, and closer to six if you leave Lahore at Friday evening peak or the day before Eid. Winter fog can slow or close stretches of the motorway, and night departures are the most affected. Our Lahore to Islamabad motorway guide covers the road itself, tolls and the service areas if you are comparing the bus with driving.
Daewoo, Faisal Movers or Skyways?
The three operators run the same road in about the same time. What differs is the fare, the seat, the number of departures and the terminals at either end.
Daewoo Express
Daewoo is the largest and most regular. Booking sites list its Lahore to Islamabad fare at about PKR 2,660 to 2,670 in 2026, with buses through the day and into the night. Departures listed at the time of writing include 4:30, 6:00, 7:30, 10:00 and 10:30 in the evening, and other sources show services running from just after midnight until about 11:30 at night. Timetables change, so treat these as a pattern, not a schedule.
Buses have air conditioning and a snack or meal on board on longer runs. Daewoo is the sensible default for a first-timer, mainly because there are so many departures that a missed bus costs you an hour, not a day. If you plan to continue north afterwards, our page on the Daewoo bus to the northern areas explains how the network connects onward.
Faisal Movers
Faisal Movers is the other premium option, and it sells more than one class. Fare lists in 2026 show its Lahore to Islamabad fares in the range of about PKR 2,200 to 3,700, with the lower figure for the standard executive or premium class and the higher for the business or first class. Different sources disagree on the exact prices for each class, which is why a range is safer than a single number.
Faisal Movers lists several terminals in Lahore, including Jinnah Terminal at Thokar Niaz Baig and Abdullah Terminal on Band Road. In the twin cities its listed points include Motorway Chowk on Peshawar Road in Islamabad and terminals near Faizabad and Pirwadhai in Rawalpindi.
Skyways
Skyways is the lower-priced of the three. Booking sites list about PKR 1,670 for Lahore to Islamabad in 2026, with departures through the day and evening. Listed times at the time of writing were 11:00 in the morning and then 5:00, 7:00, 9:00 and 10:15 in the evening. That makes it a reasonable choice when you want a comfortable coach without the top-end fare, and less so if you need a morning or early afternoon bus, where there are fewer options.
Smaller lines
Booking sites also list smaller operators between roughly PKR 1,500 and 2,000 for standard service and some much higher-priced business coaches, up to about PKR 5,500 to 5,950. Comfort and reliability vary more with these, so read recent reviews on the booking page before paying for one you do not know.
Side by side
| Daewoo Express | Faisal Movers | Skyways | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rough fare (2026) | About PKR 2,660 to 2,670 | About PKR 2,200 to 3,700 by class | About PKR 1,670 |
| Frequency | Many departures, day and night | Regular, several classes | A handful of daily departures |
| Best for | First-timers and flexible timing | A higher class of seat | Keeping the fare down |
Where do the buses leave from and arrive?
Lahore has several bus terminals, and operators use different ones. Faisal Movers, for example, lists terminals at Thokar Niaz Baig, Band Road and near Chowk Yateem Khana. Check the boarding point printed on your ticket, because two Lahore terminals can be an hour apart in traffic.
At the other end, some coaches stop in Islamabad and some in Rawalpindi, with Faizabad the usual junction between them. If you are staying in Islamabad, ask where your bus ends and whether it also drops at an Islamabad stop before Rawalpindi. From Faizabad you can take a taxi or ride-hailing car into the centre, or the metro bus if you are going to the Pakistan Secretariat or Saddar side, which our Islamabad metro bus route guide explains. For more options, see how to get around Islamabad and get around Lahore.
How to book a seat
You can book in three ways:
- Online. Each operator sells through its own website or app, and bus platforms such as Bookme list the three together with fares and times side by side. Our guide to booking bus tickets online in Pakistan walks through the process and the small fees.
- At the terminal. Counters sell same-day tickets, but seats on Friday evenings and before holidays go early.
- By phone. Operators run call centres, which is useful if you want to change a booking.
Book at least a day ahead for weekends, and several days ahead around Eid, Independence Day and summer holiday starts, when the northern-bound traffic pushes Islamabad buses to capacity.
Practical tips
- Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early. Coaches leave close to schedule, and finding the right terminal counter takes longer than you expect.
- Luggage. Standard bags go in the hold. Expect to pay extra or be refused for oversized items, so ask when booking if you are carrying trekking gear or a large suitcase.
- Seats. Sit away from the rear if you get motion sickness, and pick the shaded side in summer afternoons if the booking app lets you.
- Temperature. Air conditioning can be strong. A light layer is useful, especially on night coaches.
- Stops. Most coaches pause once for about 15 to 20 minutes at a motorway service area. Carry cash for snacks.
- Solo and family travel. The big operators use assigned seats and a boarding list, which many families and women travelling alone find reassuring.
Bus, train or car?
The bus is usually the best balance of price and speed for one or two people. Cars make more sense for a family of four or more, since the fuel and tolls cost less than four bus tickets, and you can stop when you want. The train runs on its own timetable and suits people who prefer not to take the motorway. Our Pakistan Railways online booking guide covers how to reserve a train seat.
For a trip north, many travellers take the bus to Islamabad or Rawalpindi and continue from there, since the mountain routes start in the twin cities. If you would like to plan that whole journey, see our tours or trip planning page.
Who the bus suits, and who should drive
The bus suits solo travellers, students, couples and anyone who does not want to drive the M-2 after a long day. It is a poor fit for a large family with a lot of luggage, or for anyone who needs to make several stops on the way. It is also not ideal if you arrive in Lahore late at night, since some terminals are on the edge of the city and a late transfer adds a further hour.
If you just need the cheapest legitimate seat, compare Skyways and smaller lines. If you want the most departures and the least risk of a missed connection, pick Daewoo. If you want a roomier seat and are happy to pay for it, look at the higher classes of Faisal Movers.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the bus from Lahore to Islamabad?
Fares run from about PKR 1,500 to 5,500 in 2026, with most people paying between roughly PKR 1,600 and 3,700. Skyways is at the lower end, and Daewoo and Faisal Movers cost more for their standard classes.
How long is the bus journey from Lahore to Islamabad?
Usually 4.5 to 5 hours on the M-2 motorway, and up to about 6 hours in heavy traffic, fog or holiday rush. The distance is about 370 to 390 km, depending on where you start and finish.
Which bus is best from Lahore to Islamabad?
Daewoo has the most departures, Faisal Movers offers several classes, and Skyways has lower fares. The best one is the one with a seat at the time you want to travel and a terminal near where you are staying.
Do buses go to Islamabad or Rawalpindi?
Both. Some operators end in Islamabad, and others at Faizabad or Pirwadhai in Rawalpindi. Check the drop-off point on the ticket before you pay.
Can I book a Lahore to Islamabad bus ticket online?
Yes. Operators sell tickets on their own sites and apps, and platforms such as Bookme list several operators together. Prices and timings change, so look at the live page before you pay.
Is there a night bus from Lahore to Islamabad?
Yes. Daewoo lists departures late in the evening and some just after midnight. Fog in winter can delay night buses, so allow extra time if you have a connection.
