If you need to reach Islamabad International Airport without paying a fortune for a taxi, the Orange Line metrobus is the answer. It runs on its own dedicated track from the city straight to the airport terminal, so you skip the traffic that usually piles up on the highway.
Stations on the Orange Line Route
The line starts at Faiz Ahmed Faiz station near Peshawar Morr and runs about 25.6 kilometres to the airport. Along the way it stops at NHA, G-10, Police Foundation, NUST, G-13, Golra Morr, and N-5, ending at the Islamabad International Airport terminal.
Station names and stop counts are reported slightly differently across sources, but these are the stops you will actually see on the route. The journey from one end to the other usually takes around 40 to 50 minutes, depending on the time of day.
One handy detail: Faiz Ahmed Faiz doubles as an interchange with the Red Line metro. So if you are coming from Rawalpindi or the Blue Area, you can ride the Red Line to Peshawar Morr and switch to the Orange Line for the airport.
Timings, Fare and Tickets
Orange Line buses generally operate from early morning, around 6:00 to 6:15 AM, until about 10:00 at night. During the day they come roughly every 5 to 10 minutes, so you rarely wait long at the platform.
The standard fare is Rs 100 per ride. You can pay with a single-ride token from the station counter or use a rechargeable metro card, which is worth getting if you ride often since it skips the token queue.
Travel Tips for Airport Riders
Give yourself plenty of buffer before a flight. Even though the metro has its own lane, aim to be at your starting station at least two and a half to three hours before departure so the trip stays stress-free.
Stations on the Orange Line have ticketing booths, escalators, and platform screens like the Red Line. Buses have room for luggage racks, but during morning and evening rush hours they fill up, so try to travel mid-day when possible.