The Quetta to Taftan railway is a single line of about 757 kilometres that runs west from Quetta across the Balochistan desert to the Iranian border at Taftan, and on into Iran as far as Zahedan. British engineers built it in the early 20th century for military reasons. In 2026 it is a freight and rehabilitation story rather than a passenger one: the old twice-monthly passenger train no longer runs, and we could not find a regular passenger service to Taftan.
This guide covers the route, how the line came to exist, what has run on it and what has been announced recently. It is a reference on a line that few people travel, not a trip recommendation.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Length | About 757 km, Quetta to Zahedan (Iran) |
| Gauge | 1,676 mm (broad gauge) |
| Branches off | Main line at Spezand Junction, about 24 km from Quetta |
| First section opened | Quetta to Nushki, 15 November 1905 |
| Reached Zahedan | 1 October 1922; reopened after a closure on 20 April 1940 |
| Regular passenger train | None that we could confirm in 2026 |
| Security advice | UK advises against all travel to Balochistan |
What is the Quetta to Taftan railway?
The line is also called the Trans-Baluchistan Railway or the Nushki Extension. It leaves the main Quetta line at Spezand Junction, about 24 kilometres from Quetta, and heads west through desert via Nushki and Dalbandin to Nok Kundi, then on to Taftan on the Iranian frontier. The railway station there is called Koh-e-Taftan. Beyond the border the line continues to Zahedan, where trains have to change gauge to join Iran's network.
The route runs through the Nushki desert and moving sand dunes, which are a long-running maintenance problem. A railway history notes that the dunes can shift by several hundred metres a year, which is why parts of the line have duplicate track to bypass blockages.
How was the railway built?
The line was a strategic project. A railway history describes it as built to link British India with Persia and to counter German and Turkish influence in the region during the First World War.
- 1905: the first section, Spezand to Nushki (about 138 km), opened to traffic.
- 1916 to 1922: the Nushki Extension was built westward, reaching Zahedan, then known as Duzdap, in October 1922.
- 1931: a 221-kilometre stretch between Nok Kundi and Zahedan was closed.
- 1940: with the Second World War making supply routes to the Soviet Union important, the Quetta to Zahedan link was reopened on 20 April 1940.
What passenger trains ran on the line?
For decades the main service was a mixed freight and passenger train, known as the Zahedan Mixed Passenger. It began operating in 1979, left Quetta on the 1st and 15th of each month and returned from Zahedan on the 3rd and 17th. The published distance was 732 kilometres and the journey took about 33 hours, with economy sleeping accommodation and no catering.
Sources agree that this train no longer runs, and a 2018 report of plans to restart it did not result in a confirmed service. Our wider guide to trains in Balochistan lists the services that do operate, which are limited in 2026.
What is the status of the line in 2026?
Current sources describe the line as operational but in poor condition, with a very low permitted speed of around 20 kilometres an hour. Most recent news concerns freight and repair rather than people.
- Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul freight train. This route, covering more than 6,500 kilometres, was launched in August 2009 and suspended in 2012 for security reasons. Pakistan and Iran agreed in December 2025 to resume it.
- Rehabilitation. On 7 May 2026 Pakistan's railways minister and Iran's ambassador discussed repair and rehabilitation of the Quetta to Taftan section. The minister said improved infrastructure and effective security were essential for uninterrupted operations.
- Customs at Taftan. In June 2026 the FBR declared the railway station at Taftan a land customs station for loading, unloading and clearing goods, a step intended to move more trade onto rail.
All of this is plans and policy. Do not buy a trip around the idea of a train to the border.
Is it safe to travel on or near the line?
Balochistan has an active insurgency, and rail services have been a target. In February 2026 services from Quetta were suspended for several days after a series of security incidents, and Wikipedia records a suicide car bombing targeting a shuttle train near Chaman Phatak in Quetta on 24 May 2026 that killed at least 47 people. The line runs through Chagai district and along the border with Iran, areas where the UK advises against all travel, as it does for the whole province.
If you have a real need to go to Taftan, the road is the way most people travel. Public transport is banned at night on the N-40, and our guide to the N-40 highway covers the road in more detail. Check current local conditions and, if you are not a Pakistani citizen, your government's advice and insurance cover. For the crossing itself, see our guide to the Taftan border crossing.
Is it worth travelling on?
For a rail enthusiast it is one of the most remote and historic lines in South Asia, and that has been the draw for the few foreign travellers who have taken the old train. In 2026 there is no regular service to buy a ticket for, and the security situation makes it a poor choice for any trip. Our travel guide covers easier ways to see Balochistan.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Quetta to Taftan railway?
About 757 kilometres from Quetta to Zahedan in Iran. The old mixed train covered a published 732 kilometres.
Is there a passenger train from Quetta to Taftan?
We could not confirm a regular one. The old Zahedan Mixed Passenger no longer runs.
When was the Quetta to Taftan railway built?
The first section opened in 1905, the line reached Zahedan in 1922, and it was reopened in 1940 after a 1931 closure.
Is the railway used for freight?
It is described as operational. Pakistan and Iran agreed in December 2025 to resume an international freight train, and Taftan station became a customs station in June 2026.
Can tourists take the train to Iran?
Not at present as far as we can confirm. Overland travellers use the road crossing at Taftan, which needs visas and, reports say, an escort.
