The Peshawar to Lahore train journey takes about nine to ten hours, and two trains do it reliably every day: the overnight Khyber Mail, which leaves Peshawar Cantonment around 10 pm and reaches Lahore early the next morning, and the daytime Awam Express, which leaves around 8.30 am and reaches Lahore in the early evening. The Jaffar Express also runs through Lahore but has been cancelled at short notice several times in 2026.
Fares in 2026 run from roughly PKR 1,150 to 1,650 in Economy up to about PKR 3,350 to 4,050 in AC Business, depending on the train and the source. Below is what each train offers, how to book, and when the coach or the motorway is the better choice.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Journey time | About 9 to 10 hours |
| Daily trains | Khyber Mail (overnight), Awam Express (daytime) |
| Also on the route | Jaffar Express, with frequent 2026 suspensions |
| Peshawar station | Peshawar Cantonment, with some trains also stopping at Peshawar City |
| Lahore station | Lahore Junction; some trains also stop at Lahore Cantonment |
| Economy fare | Roughly PKR 1,150 to 1,650 (2026) |
| AC Business fare | Roughly PKR 3,350 to 4,050 (2026) |
| Booking | Pakistan Railways Rabta app or website |
Which trains run from Peshawar to Lahore?
All the trains between the two cities are long-distance services on the Karachi to Peshawar main line. None of them runs only between Peshawar and Lahore, so you are joining a train at the start of a journey of a day or more towards Karachi or Quetta.
Khyber Mail: the overnight train
The Khyber Mail is one of the country's oldest named trains, listed as running since 1920. Heading south (the 2 Down), it leaves Peshawar Cantonment at about 10 pm and reaches Lahore at about 7 am the next morning; published timetables differ by half an hour or so on the Lahore arrival.
Between Peshawar and Lahore it stops at Nowshera, Jhangira Road, Attock City, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Lala Musa, Gujrat, Wazirabad and Gujranwala. It carries AC Sleeper, AC Business, AC Standard and Economy classes.
For most people this is the train to take. You board after dinner, sleep through the Potohar plateau and the GT Road towns, and arrive in Lahore with the whole day ahead of you and a hotel night saved. It only works well in a berth, so book AC Sleeper or AC Business if you want to sleep.
Awam Express: the daytime train
The Awam Express (14 Down towards Lahore and Karachi) leaves Peshawar Cantonment at about 8.30 am, calls at Peshawar City about ten minutes later, then Nowshera, Attock City, Rawalpindi around midday and Gujranwala in the late afternoon, reaching Lahore Junction at about 6.20 pm.
Pakistan Railways relaunched an upgraded Awam Express in May 2026, with eight air-conditioned coaches and improved seating, according to Radio Pakistan. It is a good choice if you want to see the country go by, or you don't want to arrive anywhere at dawn. Expect it to be slower and busier than the Khyber Mail, and expect delays to build up as the day goes on.
Jaffar Express: possible, but don't rely on it
The Jaffar Express runs between Quetta and Peshawar and stops at both Lahore Cantonment and Lahore Junction. One published timetable has it leaving Peshawar at about 7 am and reaching Lahore in mid-afternoon, which would make it the fastest daytime option.
In practice it has been the least reliable. Its departures from Quetta were cancelled for two days at a time several times in 2026, in May, August and September, for track repairs and other reasons. A cancellation at the Quetta end can disrupt the service in the other direction too. Only plan around it if you have confirmed it is running that week.
The Rehman Baba Express, another Peshawar to Karachi train, does not go through Lahore. It runs via Faisalabad and Multan, so don't book it by mistake.
How much does the Peshawar to Lahore train cost?
Published fares for Peshawar to Lahore in 2026 vary between fare-listing websites, and Pakistan Railways adjusts fares from time to time, so treat these as rough ranges:
| Class | Approximate fare (2026) |
|---|---|
| Economy | PKR 1,150 to 1,650 |
| AC Standard | PKR 1,850 to 2,850 |
| AC Business | PKR 3,350 to 4,050 |
| AC Sleeper (Khyber Mail) | About PKR 6,300 |
The lower figures appear on one listing and the higher ones on another, and fares can differ between trains. The fare shown on the Rabta app or the Pakistan Railways website when you book is the one that counts. Our explainer on Pakistan Railways classes sets out what you get in each.
How to book
Book on Pakistan Railways' Rabta app or the Pakistan Railways website, or at the reservation office at Peshawar Cantonment station. You will need your CNIC number to book, and should carry the card itself on the journey.
A few tips:
- Book berths early. AC Sleeper and AC Business on the Khyber Mail are the first to sell out, especially before Eid and long weekends.
- Check the timetable in the week you travel. Timings change, and long-distance trains often run late.
- Know your station. Both the Khyber Mail and the Awam Express start at Peshawar Cantonment. Our guide to Peshawar railway station explains Cantonment and City.
Our step-by-step guide to booking Pakistan Railways tickets online covers the app and payment.
Train, coach or car?
The train is not the fastest way from Peshawar to Lahore. The M-1 and M-2 motorways are quicker by car or coach, and Daewoo and other coach companies run the route. Our Lahore to Peshawar comparison covers the motorway, the GT Road and the coaches.
Take the train if:
- You want to travel overnight and arrive in Lahore in the morning without paying for a hotel.
- You are travelling with family and want space to walk about, sleep and eat on board.
- You want a cheaper seat and don't mind a slower day.
Take the coach or drive if you need to arrive at a set time, travel at short notice, or are carrying on beyond Lahore the same day.
Is it safe to travel from Peshawar by train?
Pakistani travellers use these trains every day, and the main line between Peshawar and Lahore is busy and well used. That said, Peshawar has a security problem. In 2026 there have been several deadly attacks on police elsewhere in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including at Kohat Police Lines on 18 September, when 23 people were killed. The UK government advises against all travel to Peshawar and against all but essential travel to Nowshera, the first stop on the line.
Check local news and current police advice before you set out, and keep your journey through the city short. Overseas visitors should check their own government's advice, because travelling against it can void travel insurance. Our guide on whether Peshawar is safe covers the current picture in more detail. The same applies if you are heading on from Peshawar towards Swat, which is also on the UK's list.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Peshawar to Lahore?
About nine to ten hours. The overnight Khyber Mail leaves Peshawar around 10 pm and reaches Lahore around 7 am; the daytime Awam Express leaves around 8.30 am and reaches Lahore around 6.20 pm.
Which is the best train from Peshawar to Lahore?
The Khyber Mail, for most people. It runs overnight, offers sleeper and business berths, and gets you into Lahore in the morning.
What is the Peshawar to Lahore train fare?
In 2026, roughly PKR 1,150 to 1,650 in Economy and PKR 3,350 to 4,050 in AC Business, with AC Sleeper on the Khyber Mail around PKR 6,300. Check the exact fare on the Rabta app when you book.
Is there a direct train from Peshawar to Lahore?
There is no train that runs only between the two cities, but the Khyber Mail and Awam Express both travel from Peshawar to Lahore without a change, on their way to Karachi.
Can I book the Peshawar to Lahore train online?
Yes, on Pakistan Railways' Rabta app or website, using your CNIC number. Berths on the Khyber Mail sell out first, so book early before holidays.
Does the Rehman Baba Express stop in Lahore?
No. It runs between Peshawar and Karachi via Faisalabad and Multan and does not call at Lahore.
