Trains in Balochistan run on two railway lines: the Rohri to Chaman line through the Bolan Pass to Quetta, and the Quetta to Taftan line running west towards Iran. In 2026 the passenger service on them is thin and unreliable. The Bolan Mail between Karachi and Quetta and the Chaman Passenger were suspended in May 2026 and reported still off the timetable months later, the Jaffar Express to Peshawar still runs but has been cancelled or turned back several times, and the Taftan line has no regular passenger train.
If you are thinking of the Bolan Mail as a scenic way into the province, check first whether it is running at all. This guide explains each route, what is known about its status, and why a train is not the simple, safe option it once was.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Main line | Rohri Junction to Chaman, 526 km, 38 stations |
| Western line | Quetta to Taftan (Iranian border), 757 km to Zahedan |
| Bolan Mail | Karachi to Quetta, about 916 km, normally 20 to 23 hours; suspended in 2026 |
| Chaman Passenger | Quetta to Chaman, about 142 km, around 4 hours 45 minutes; suspended in 2026 |
| Jaffar Express | Quetta to Peshawar, about 1,632 km, around 34 hours; running with interruptions |
| Taftan line | No regular passenger service |
| Track gauge | 5 ft 6 in (broad gauge) |
The Rohri to Chaman line and the Bolan section
The Sind-Pishin railway was built by the British from 1879. It reached Quetta in March 1887 and Chaman in January 1892, and the whole line is now 526 km from Rohri Junction on the Indus to Chaman at the Afghan border. Its main stations are Sukkur, Jacobabad, Sibi, Quetta and Bostan.
The famous stretch is the climb through the Bolan Pass between Sibi and Quetta, with its tunnels, bridges and steep gradients. Quetta sits at about 1,650 metres, so a train from the Sindh plains gains a great deal of height in a few hours. Our guide to Bolan Pass covers the history of the pass and the current rules for using it.
Beyond Quetta the line continues north-west through Bostan to Chaman, passing under the Khojak range through the 3.91 km Khojak tunnel. The Wikipedia entry for the line gives speeds of only 30 to 70 km/h, which is why journeys are long.
Bolan Mail: Karachi to Quetta
The Bolan Mail has run since 1948 and is named after the pass. Normally it covers about 916 km in 20 to 23 hours, with air-conditioned seats and berths and a dining car. It was cancelled after the 2022 floods and brought back on 25 December 2023, then ran only every second day with a single rake.
In 2026 it has been repeatedly suspended. Media reports in March 2026 described it being halted because of low passenger numbers. In May 2026 Pakistan Railways announced that eight trains, including the Bolan Mail and the Chaman Passenger, would be suspended temporarily because of fuel costs and low occupancy. Later reports said the Bolan Mail had been suspended indefinitely and that both services had stayed off the timetable for around six months, with the railways saying they would return when conditions improve.
Because this changes by announcement, confirm with Pakistan Railways (a station booking office or its official channels) before you plan any day around this train. Our guide to booking Pakistan Railways tickets online explains the booking side.
Jaffar Express: Quetta to Peshawar
The Jaffar Express is the long-distance train that still leaves Quetta, running to Peshawar via Lahore, about 1,632 km in roughly 34 hours. It is the most reliable rail link in the province in the sense that it is the one that mostly operates, but its 2026 record is patchy:
- Reports in May 2026 said all trains from Quetta, including the Jaffar Express, were suspended for "technical reasons", and incoming trains were turned back at Jacobabad for security reasons.
- Services were cancelled for a day in July 2026 and for two days on 5 and 6 September 2026 for track repair work. On the July day the Peshawar to Quetta train terminated at Jacobabad.
Treat it as a train that may not run on your date, and that may not reach Quetta even when it leaves.
The Chaman line and the Taftan line
The Chaman Passenger is a daily economy-only service between Quetta and Chaman, about 142 km, taking roughly four hours 45 minutes, with no sleeping accommodation or catering. It has been suspended in 2026, as above. Chaman is on the Afghan border and falls inside the area the UK government advises against visiting, so there is little reason for a visitor to take it even when it runs.
The Quetta to Taftan line is 757 km long to Zahedan in Iran, passing Nok Kundi. An international mixed freight and passenger train once ran about twice a month, but sources describe it as no longer running regularly. Rehabilitation of the track from Nok Kundi to Taftan has been announced, but do not plan a journey around it. The route lies along the Afghan and Iranian borders, which UK advice covers.
Is it safe to travel by train in Balochistan?
This is the question to settle before the timetable. The UK government advises against all travel to Balochistan, and the railway has been a target. Recent incidents include:
- The Quetta railway station bombing of 9 November 2024, which killed at least 32 people.
- The Jaffar Express hijacking in March 2025, in the Bolan area.
- A suicide car bombing on 24 May 2026 at a shuttle train near Chaman Phatak in Quetta, which killed at least 47 people, many of them soldiers, according to Wikipedia's account of the attack.
Pakistani travellers do still use the railway, and the Jaffar Express carries many families. But trains are slow, run through remote country, and are suspended or turned back at short notice. Check current local news and advice from the police and railways before travelling. Overseas visitors should know their government's advice may say not to go, and that travelling against it can void travel insurance. Our guide to whether Balochistan is safe to travel covers the wider picture.
Is the train worth it, or should you go by road or air?
For most visitors, no, at least not in 2026. The Bolan section is genuinely dramatic and the Bolan Mail was once a good way to see it, but with the service suspended the realistic options are:
- Fly. Karachi to Quetta is the quickest option; see our guide to Karachi to Quetta by air.
- Drive in daylight. Highways in the province carry night restrictions; our guide to Karachi to Quetta by road covers the route, and the night travel ban the hours.
- Take the train only if you are a rail enthusiast who has confirmed that the service is running, has booked a seat, and has a plan B if it is cancelled.
If you do book, keep your CNIC with you for ticket checks and the checkposts the roads and stations have; see what documents Balochistan travel needs. For wider planning, our travel guide is the place to start.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bolan Mail train running in 2026?
It was suspended in 2026, first for low passenger numbers in March, then in the eight-train suspension announced in May, and later reported as suspended indefinitely. Confirm with Pakistan Railways before planning around it.
How long does the train from Karachi to Quetta take?
When it ran, the Bolan Mail took about 20 to 23 hours for roughly 916 km. Flying is far quicker.
Is there a train from Quetta to Peshawar?
Yes, the Jaffar Express runs to Peshawar via Lahore in roughly 34 hours. It was cancelled or disrupted several times in 2026, so check before you travel.
Does a train run from Quetta to Iran?
Not regularly. The Quetta to Taftan line exists, but the old fortnightly mixed passenger train is described as no longer running regularly.
Is it safe to travel by train in Balochistan?
The railway has been attacked more than once, and the UK advises against all travel to the province. Pakistanis still use the trains, but should check current police and local news advice first.
