Whether your purpose of travelling from Karachi to Islamabad is a business trip, a family vacation or a visit to relatives; it usually turns out to be a fascinating experience. The capital city is known for its delightful weather, worth visiting urban open spaces and lush green mountains. Even travellers from Karachi visiting the northern areas of Pakistan like Naran, Kaghan, or Gilgit Baltistan often make a pit stop in Islamabad, usually for a day or two, accumulating some picturesque memories of one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
Our intention is to help with your plans for the trip, so in this blog we will discuss and compare the different options available to people travelling to Islamabad from Karachi and vice versa. Whether it’s a car, bus, train or airplane; all the available modes of transportation that will get you to your destination will be different from each other in terms of cost, time duration, comfort and convenience.
Travel Options Available To People Heading From Karachi to Islamabad
So, which mode of transport can Karachiites use to travel to the capital city? Let’s shed light on some of the key travel options available to people going from Karachi to Islamabad and vice versa.
- By Air
- By Train
- By Road
Now, let’s discuss these in detail.
By Air
For some, travelling by plane is a practical option. It might be a little expensive but it’s thoroughly efficient. For example, travelling from Karachi to Islamabad by air would approximately take you around two hours, saving you a lot of time and energy. However, you might miss the views that you would actually get to enjoy while travelling to Islamabad by road or by train.
If you want to take a flight from Karachi to Islamabad, then you would come across the following options. PIA flights like PK-372, PK-300 and PK-308 may cost you between PKR 14,764 and PKR 15,333 (for a one-way trip only). Similarly, Serene Air flights like ER-500, ER-502 and ER-504 have airfares ranging from PKR 16,310 to PKR 17,730.
*Note: All of the fares discussed above are for Economy Class. Fares for Business Class in PIA and Serene Air may vary.
By Train
Travelling by train is preferred by a lot of people. Compared to air travel, it is not only a cheaper option but also lets you enjoy scenic views along the journey as you look outside your window, giving you a delightful feel of excitement. For people travelling between Karachi and Islamabad there are quite a few train options available.
The train fare from Karachi to Islamabad and vice versa normally ranges between PKR 1,550 and PKR 2,300. The table given below gives a brief description of ticket prices of different trains you can take while travelling between Karachi and Islamabad.
| Train Name | Departure Time | Fares (Economy) | Fares (AC Lower / Standard) | Destination Arrival Time |
| Awam Express | 7:00 AM | PKR 1,650 | PKR 4,250 | 12:25 PM |
| Pakistan Express | 1:00 PM | PKR 1,550 | N/a | 2:40 PM |
| Khyber Mail | 10:15 PM | PKR 1,650 | PKR 4,250 | 1:20 AM |
| Green Line | 10:00 PM | PKR 2,300 | N/a | 7:20 PM |
By Road
There are many adventurous people who are fond of travelling by road. They either take a road trip in their private cars or use private intercity bus services. If you travel through National Highway 5, it will take you around 19 hours to reach Islamabad. National Highway 5 is considered the fastest route. Indus Highway is another route you can take when travelling between Karachi and Islamabad; through this road you can complete your trip in a total number of 20 hours.
Routes to Take When Travelling from Karachi to Islamabad by Car
- Route 1: You can begin your journey from Lyari Express Way that will connect you to M9 Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway. After Hyderabad, this route merges into National Highway 5, which further converts into M2 Lahore-Islamabad Motorway leading you to Islamabad.
- Route 2: Get on Lyari Expressway that will take you to M9 Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway. Further, get on to Indus Highway after crossing Hyderabad. The Indus Highway will then lead you to M4 Lahore-Islamabad Motorway eventually taking you to your destination.
Apart from taking a road trip by car, travelling by bus is considered one of the most convenient and affordable options while travelling from Karachi to Islamabad via road. You can avail the services of Daewoo Bus Service, which is one of the most reliable names in the travel industry. It is a sophisticated bus service providing you a comfortable travel experience facilitated by their professional and well-trained staff members. Moreover, travelling from Karachi to Islamabad via Daewoo Bus Service will cost you as low as PKR 4,850 per seat, which turns out to be quite pocket-friendly when compared to other travel options.
Daewoo buses depart at different timings from Karachi. You can conveniently get to any of the several Daewoo bus stops within Karachi, from where you will be brought via their special shuttle service to the main Daewoo Bus Terminal that is located in the suburbs of Karachi. Journey from Karachi to Islamabad and vice versa by a bus usually takes up to 21 hours.
While travelling between Karachi and Islamabad, people can easily choose among the aforementioned travel options according to their requirements and suitability. However, if you have plans to take a trip from Karachi to Lahore or vice versa, then you can also take a look at our comprehensive travel guide based on the topic.
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