Multan to Derawar Fort: Distance and Route

Multan to Derawar Fort is roughly 180 to 200 km by road, and a car takes about two and a half to three hours each way. The simplest route is south from Multan to Bahawalpur, then on to Ahmadpur East and out into the Cholistan desert. It is one of the more practical ways to reach the fort, and it can be done in a day from Multan if you start early.

Map services give 179 km and about two hours 34 minutes for the drive, but they assume clear roads. Add time for the town of Bahawalpur, a fuel stop and a slower final stretch, and the estimate above is closer to what most drivers will see.

The route

1. Multan to Bahawalpur, about 95 km. Follow the highway south. This stretch is quick and takes a little over an hour on a map.
2. Bahawalpur to Ahmadpur East. Pass through or around Bahawalpur and continue south on the main road. Fill the tank before leaving the city.
3. Ahmadpur East to the fort, about 45 km. The road runs into the desert, and the fort's bastions become visible from far off. This last stretch is the slowest.

Our post on Bahawalpur to Derawar Fort covers the road from Bahawalpur onwards in more detail, including the reports of a damaged final stretch, so we do not repeat them here.

How long does it really take?

Two and a half hours is the map figure. Plan on three, and add time for prayers and lunch.

A same-day plan from Multan looks like this:

• Leave Multan by 6 or 7 am, so you reach the fort in the morning
• Allow about an hour at the fort itself
• Start back by mid-afternoon
• Reach Multan before or shortly after dark

It is workable, but you spend roughly six hours in the car for one or two hours on site. Many people do better to sleep in Bahawalpur and treat the fort as a morning trip. Our Bahawalpur itinerary shows what fills the rest of the day.

By train and taxi

Map services list a train from Multan Cantt to Dera Nawab Sahib, followed by a taxi to the fort, taking about three hours 20 minutes in all. Another option is a bus from Multan to Bahawalpur and then a taxi, which takes about four and a half hours. Timetables change, so confirm with Pakistan Railways before you plan around a train.

A private car with a driver is the most flexible option, and the easiest way to make the final leg without arranging a separate taxi.

What to plan for

• Fuel and water. There is little at the fort, so fill up in Bahawalpur or Ahmadpur East and carry more water than you expect to need.
• Timing. Get back onto the highway before dark. The desert road is not a place for night driving.
• Season. November to February is comfortable. From April to September the heat is severe.
• Access to the fort. The fort belongs to the family of the former Nawabs, and entry inside has traditionally needed their permission. Our Derawar Fort guide explains what you can and cannot see.

Cholistan is remote, so check local news and the state of the road before you go, and stay on the paved road unless you have a guide and a four-wheel-drive vehicle. For a longer south Punjab trip, our Multan itinerary and Punjab road trip guides give a plan, and our tours page shows the trips we offer in the north.

Is it worth doing from Multan?

If you are already in Multan for the shrines and the old city, the fort is the most distinctive day out from it, and the desert landscape is unlike anything else in south Punjab. The visit is mostly about the exterior: the great walls, the setting and the mosque nearby. If you expect to walk through rooms and courtyards inside, you may be disappointed.

If you have only one free day and the heat is fierce, or anyone in the group dislikes long drives, spend it in Multan itself. Our guide to places to visit in Multan covers what is close at hand.

Frequently asked questions