Multan to Bahawalpur: Route, Distance and Time

Multan to Bahawalpur is about 95 to 100 km by road, and a car takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic and the route. Buses take about two hours or a little more because of stops, and the train is competitive when the timetable suits. It is one of the easiest hops in southern Punjab, and many people do it as a morning departure with a full day in Bahawalpur.

This guide compares the options, explains the N-5 and M-5 routes, gives bus fares for 2026, and suggests what is worth a stop between the two cities.

How far is Multan from Bahawalpur?

Road distance is roughly 95 km on Rome2Rio and 98 km on bus-booking sites, with straight-line distance of about 103 km. Treat it as 95 to 100 km. Estimates for driving time range from about 1 hour 12 minutes with clear roads to two hours, which is a fair spread: the lower figure assumes no traffic at the city edges and no slow trucks.

Both cities sit on the Karachi–Peshawar rail line and on the N-5, the country's longest national highway. That makes the route flat, straight and very easy to follow.

By road: the N-5 or the M-5

You have two sensible routes.

The N-5

The N-5 is the old Grand Trunk road south from Multan, passing Lodhran on the way to Bahawalpur. It is an ordinary highway with trucks, local traffic, tractor trolleys and several small towns, so average speeds are lower than the distance suggests. It is the route buses and most cars use, and it puts you in the centre of Bahawalpur without extra navigation.

The M-5 motorway

The M-5 starts at Multan and runs south to Sukkur, 392 km in all, and was inaugurated on 5 November 2019. It has an interchange at Jhangra serving Bahawalpur-DHA and the N-5, so you can use the motorway for part of the trip and leave it close to the city. The motorway tends to be quicker and calmer than the N-5, though you should check the current toll and the exit you need before relying on it. We have not found a reliable published toll for this stretch, so carry cash or a card.

If you are heading on to Uch Sharif, note that the M-5 has an Uch Sharif interchange, which makes the motorway the sensible route for that detour.

By bus

Buses are frequent and cheap. Faisal Movers runs Multan to Bahawalpur, with listings showing departures from about 6:00 am to 11:00 pm and a standard fare of roughly PKR 550 in 2026. Other listings quote PKR 500 to 850 depending on class and season, and general intercity listings give PKR 300 to 600 for the route. Local coaches from Multan's other terminals cost less but take longer and fill up.

Allow about two hours, plus extra on Fridays and before Eid, when the terminals are busy. Fares are rough, changing figures, so confirm the price when you book.

By train

Because both cities are major stations on the main line, many of the long-distance trains stop at both. One route planner lists services roughly every three hours from Multan Cantt, with a journey of about 1 hour 20 minutes, and gives fares from about one to eleven US dollars across classes. That planner is not an official source, so check actual timings and fares on the Pakistan Railways site, pakrail.gov.pk. Trains can run late, and for a short 95 km hop an hour of delay changes the picture.

For longer rail journeys on the same line, see our guide to Lahore to Multan by train.

Taxi, ride-hailing and hired car

A taxi or booked car makes sense for a group of three or four and gives you control of the stops. Intercity ride-hailing apps list this route, and a private car with a driver is easy to arrange in Multan. Agree the price, the route and whether it includes waiting time at Uch Sharif before leaving. Estimates online range widely, so do not take any one figure as a quote.

What to stop for on the way

The direct run needs no stops, but you can make a day of it:

• Lodhran lies on the N-5 between the two cities. It is a working market town rather than a sight, but it is a convenient tea and fuel stop.
• Uch Sharif is a detour from the main route, about 75 to 78 km from Bahawalpur and roughly 130 to 145 km from Multan depending on the road. Its UNESCO tentative-list monument complex includes the tombs of Bibi Jawindi, Baha'al-Halim and Jalaluddin Bukhari. See our Uch Sharif guide for what to see there.
• Lal Suhanra National Park lies about 35 km east of Bahawalpur, so it is a half-day trip from the city rather than a stop on the way.

If you are short of time, skip the detours and go straight to the city: Noor Mahal (completed 1875) and Darbar Mahal (1905) are the main sights in town, and Derawar Fort is further out in the desert. Our places to visit in Bahawalpur and Bahawalpur itinerary cover what to do once you arrive.

When to travel

Bahawalpur has a semi-arid climate with very hot summers and little rain. Summer midday drives are tiring in a car without good air conditioning, so leave early between May and September. October to March is much easier.

Which option is best?

• Car or motorway if you have your own vehicle, a group, or plan side trips to Uch or Derawar.
• Bus for the simplest, cheapest option, with frequent departures through the day.
• Train if a good-timed service matches your plans and you want a seat and a window, not a road.
• Taxi if you are travelling light with a small group and want a door-to-door trip.

For the wider picture of moving around Punjab, our travel guide has more on roads and transport. If you are coming from Lahore first, see Lahore to Multan by road.

Frequently asked questions