All You Need to Know About Rawalpindi Railway Station

IN THIS POST
– History of Rawalpindi Railway Station
– Features of Rawalpindi Railway Station
– Trains at Rawalpindi Railway Station
– Rawalpindi Railway Station Location
– Rawalpindi Railway Station Contact Number
– Nearby Hotels
– Popular Locations
– Nearby Neighbourhoods 

A key landmark in the twin cities of Pakistan, the Victorian-era Rawalpindi Railway Station is not only a stunning example of Indo-Saracenic style architecture in the region but also a relic of a bygone era.  

Constructed over a century ago in the classic British style, the yellow sandstone walls and arched entryways of this railway station in Rawalpindi offer a glimpse into the past. The kerosene lamps adorning the walls, an old grand clock near the platforms and the bell that signals the arrival of a train all add a nostalgic touch to this historic structure located in the Saddar area of the bustling metropolis. 

Though the building has undergone some renovations and modifications over the years, its exterior looks almost the same as it did before – at least according to the photos present in the archives.

As we have already discussed the Lahore Railway Station in great detail, this time around we will be focusing on the history, features, location, contact, and other details of Rawalpindi Railway Station.

Let’s get rolling.

History of Rawalpindi Railway Station

This railway station in Rawalpindi was constructed in 1881 during the British rule as part of the Punjab Northern State Railway. The British had laid the train tracks in Rawalpindi to connect Lahore with Peshawar, two of the most important trade centres in the sub-continent. In 1886, the Punjab Northern State Railway was merged with other railway networks to form the North Western State Railway. 

Since its construction, this train station has been used by national and foreign leaders. In 1919, Afghan King Amanullah Khan also used this railway station when travelling from Landi Kotal to meet with the British viceroy and sign a treaty between the colonial forces and Afghanistan.

Following the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the railway station in Rawalpindi became a part of Pakistan Railways. In 1965, Fatima Jinnah’s Freedom Special train also stopped in the city during her historic election campaign. The first Prime Minister of Pakistan Liaquat Ali Khan, former President Ayub Khan, and former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto have all arrived and departed from this station in the past. In 1989, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto also used Rawalpindi Railway Station when she led a train rally from Karachi to twin cities for her election campaign.

To date, this station serves as a major stop for the trains travelling from Karachi to Peshawar.

Features of Rawalpindi Railway Station

The main building of Rawalpindi Railway Station consists of three parts: freight section, passenger rooms, and main offices. The Railways Club building and the police station are located adjacent to the main building. The building has three separate gates meant for regular passengers, goods, and VVIP passengers. 

The grand clock and the steam engine installed in front of the main building are among the most noteworthy features of Rawalpindi Railway Station.

The station has five platforms that are connected by pedestrian bridges made from wood and steel. Meanwhile, the main building is dotted with small tea shops, snack bars, and bookstalls. The other facilities at Rawalpindi Railway Station include waiting rooms, bathrooms, water coolers, and restrooms that can be rented for a day by passengers travelling to the northern areas.

Trains at Rawalpindi Railway Station

A number of trains start and end their journeys at this station in Rawalpindi. Similarly, almost all trains travelling from the southern city of Karachi to the northern city of Peshawar briefly stop by this station. It is also a major station in the Lahore-Islamabad route, as a lot of passengers travelling to Islamabad disembark here and then take private cars or taxis to their destinations. 

Here are the names, code, starting point and ending points of trains that stop at Railway Station Rawalpindi.

You can find the train timings for Rawalpindi Station on the official Pakistan Railways website.

Location of Rawalpindi Railway Station

This historical station is located in the heart of the city near the historical Raja Bazar. 

Rawalpindi Railway Station Address: Station Road, Saddar, Rawalpindi.

There is also a bus stop and taxi stand right outside the building, making it easy for the passengers to travel to and from the station. Moreover, the nearest station for Islamabad-Rawalpindi Metro Bus is only a short distance from the building.

Contact Details

For booking, reservations, freight management, and queries related to luggage and refunds, you can call the following numbers to contact the train station.

Rawalpindi Railway Station Enquiry Number: 051-9270395 and 051-5542221

For more information, you can either visit the Rawalpindi Railway Station booking office or get in touch with a representative from Pakistan Railways at 117.

Hotels near Rawalpindi Railway Station

Here are some of the popular hotels near Rawalpindi Railway Stations that offer comfortable accommodation options to the travellers.

• Pearl Continental Hotel Rawalpindi: 2.5 kilometres
• Royalton Hotel: 2.8 kilometres
• Hotel Akbar International: 3.0 kilometres
• Hotel Shalimar Rawalpindi: 3.5 kilometres

Popular Locations near Rawalpindi Railway Station

Some of the most popular locations and tourist attractions near Rawalpindi Railway Station include:

• Riphah International University: 5-minute drive
• Race Course Park: 6-minute drive
• Pak Emirates Military Hospital (PEMH): 7-minute drive
• CMH Rawalpindi: 9-minute drive
• Liaquat Bagh: 10-minute drive
• Raja Bazar: 10-minute drive
• Army Stadium: 12-minute drive

Neighbourhoods near Rawalpindi Railway Station

Owing to its location in Saddar, the railway station is easily accessible from all parts of the city. However, here is a list of neighbourhoods in the vicinity of this train station in Rawalpindi.

• Railway Colony: 8-minute drive
• Askari XI: 9-minute drive
• Westridge: 10-minute drive
• Allama Iqbal Colony: 18-minute drive

You can find out more about different residential schemes in the city through our Rawalpindi Area Guides. 

So, that’s a wrap for our guide on the historical Rawalpindi Railway Station. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to send them our way by emailing at blog@zameen.com.

Meanwhile, you can also check out the list of passport offices in Rawalpindi. Moreover, you might also find our detailed guide on the system of Pakistan Railways to be interesting.

To learn more about historical buildings and locations across the country, stay connected to Zameen Blog – the best lifestyle and property blog in Pakistan. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to the Zameen Newsletter and Facebook page to stay up-to-date about the latest developments in the construction and real estate sector.