Lahore to Multan by Train: Trains, Fares and Time

The Lahore to Multan train takes roughly four and a half to six hours, depending on the service, and covers about 312 km on the main Karachi–Peshawar line. Economy fares in 2026 are in the region of PKR 1,000 to 1,900 and AC classes cost roughly PKR 2,000 to 5,000, depending on the train and class. Around ten named trains stop at both cities, so there is usually something that suits your day.

This guide covers which trains to look at, what the classes mean, rough fares, how to book, and when the train is a better choice than driving. If you would rather drive, our guide to Lahore to Multan by road covers the motorway route.

Which trains run from Lahore to Multan?

Multan has no dedicated Lahore shuttle. Instead, you ride one of the long-distance trains that run along the Karachi–Peshawar main line and pass through both cities. Booking sites list these services on the route:

• Musa Pak Express, a Lahore–Multan service with economy, AC Standard, AC Business and Parlour Car, taking about 5 hours 10 minutes according to Wikipedia. One booking site lists it leaving Lahore at 00:30, which is an overnight run.
• Multan Express, economy only, also about 5 hours 10 minutes with six stops.
• Khyber Mail, a morning departure (about 07:40 on one booking site) that reaches Multan in the early afternoon.
• Karachi Express and Jaffar Express, both leaving Lahore in the late afternoon (about 16:30 and 16:45 on one booking site) and reaching Multan at night.
• Shalimar Express, Tezgam and Awam Express, which also appear on fare listings for this route.

Departure times shift with timetable revisions, and sites disagree. Treat the times above as a guide and confirm the current timetable on the Pakistan Railways site, pakrail.gov.pk, before you plan around one.

Long-distance trains also run late, sometimes by an hour or more, particularly those that began their journey in Karachi or Quetta. If you have a connection or a meeting in Multan, take an earlier train than you think you need.

Classes and what they mean

Pakistan Railways sells several classes, though not every train has all of them.

• Economy seat or berth. The cheapest option. Seats are in open carriages and can be crowded, especially on Fridays, Eid weeks and Sunday evenings. Berths give you a place to lie down on a night run.
• AC Standard (AC Lower). An air-conditioned carriage with reserved seats. This is the sensible choice for families in the hot months.
• AC Business. More space and fewer passengers per carriage.
• Parlour Car. An air-conditioned seating car on the services that carry one.
• AC Sleeper. Closed compartments with beds, relevant mainly on overnight trains.

For a five-hour daytime journey, AC Standard or AC Business is the comfortable middle. Economy works fine in winter or if you are travelling light and cheaply.

How much does the ticket cost?

Sources disagree by a few hundred rupees, because fares depend on the exact train and have been revised more than once. Reading several listings, the picture for 2026 looks like this:

One fare listing says the railway revised its table on 9 March 2026, with economy fares rising by 5 per cent and AC fares by 10 per cent. Another listing gives Economy PKR 1,100 and AC Standard PKR 2,100 for the route as a headline figure. These are published estimates, not quotes. The price at the counter or in the app is the one that counts, so check it when you book.

How to book a Lahore to Multan train ticket

You have three ways to get a seat:

1. Online or by app. Pakistan Railways' authorised e-ticketing app is RABTA, and tickets can also be booked through the railway website. You register with your CNIC and phone number, pick the train and class, and pay through JazzCash, Easypaisa or a bank card. The ticket arrives by SMS. Third-party sites such as Bookme also sell seats.
2. At the station. Lahore Junction and Multan Cantonment both have reservation offices. Go early for a same-day ticket, as popular trains sell out in AC classes.
3. Through a hotel or travel agent, for a small fee, if you arrive from out of town and want the ticket sorted.

For Eid, summer weekends and the days around the Urs of Bahauddin Zakariya, book as soon as the booking window opens. Check the current advance-booking period when you book, as it has changed over time.

Lahore Junction and Multan Cantonment

Trains leave from Lahore Junction, the main station near the Walled City. Allow extra time to get there, as city traffic can be slow in the evening.

In Multan the intercity trains arrive at Multan Cantonment (code MUL), the city's principal station on Station Road. It opened in 1898 and has reservation offices and food stalls on its platforms, and is a short drive from the old city and the shrines.

Train, bus or car?

The train is slower than driving the motorway in good conditions, but it is more relaxed and does not leave anyone tired at the wheel. Compared with a bus, it is cheaper in economy, gives you space to move, and lets you walk around.

• Take the train if you are travelling alone or as a couple, if you do not want to drive, if you are carrying heavy luggage that a bus handles badly, or if you want an overnight run and a hotel night saved.
• Drive or take a bus if you are travelling with several people and want a fixed schedule, need to stop on the way, or are heading to a place off the rail line.

If you are going on to Bahawalpur or Uch Sharif, see our guides to Uch Sharif and the places to visit in Multan. Our travel guide has more on moving around Pakistan by rail and road.

Tips for the journey

• Carry your CNIC. Tickets are booked against it.
• Bring food and water. Platform vendors sell snacks and tea, but quality varies and trains do not always stop where you expect.
• Check the timetable the day before. Delays and cancellations can affect long-distance trains.
• In summer, pick AC. Multan is among the hottest cities in Pakistan between May and September, and an economy carriage without cooling is hard going at midday.
• Keep valuables close at night.

Is the train worth it for Lahore to Multan?

Yes if comfort and cost matter more than speed. A five-hour train ride with a seat and a window is easier on most families than a five-hour drive, and the train drops you in the middle of Multan. Better still, an overnight run saves a hotel night.

It is a poor choice if you are short on time, because a delay of an hour can wipe out the saving. It also does not suit anyone who needs to reach somewhere outside the city straight away. A hired car from Multan is easy to arrange. See where to stay in Multan for areas to base yourself, and our Multan itinerary for what to do once you arrive.

Frequently asked questions