The Orange Line is the metro route that connects Islamabad’s city centre with the Islamabad International Airport. If you are catching a flight, the most important thing to know is simply this: the first bus leaves around 6:00 in the morning and the last one departs at about 10:00 at night. That long operating window covers most domestic and international flight schedules, which is why so many travellers depend on this line every day.
The route starts at the Faiz Ahmed Faiz station near Peshawar Morr, where it links up with the Red Line coming from Rawalpindi and Pak Secretariat. From there it runs along Kashmir Highway through H-9, G-10, G-13 and the NUST stop before reaching Golra Morr and the N-5 interchange on GT Road. The last stretch continues to the M-1/M-2 motorway junction and finishes at the airport terminal. The whole trip is about 25.6 kilometres long, and the full end-to-end ride usually takes roughly an hour in normal conditions.
First Bus and Last Bus Timings
The first Orange Line bus of the day typically departs at 6:00 AM from both ends — Faiz Ahmed Faiz station and the airport. This early start is useful for passengers on early-morning flights who want to reach the terminal well before check-in. During the day the service runs continuously, and the last buses leave around 10:00 PM. Try not to cut it too close to 10 PM if you are heading to the airport, because that final departure is the last one, not the first of another round.
One useful detail for night-time travellers: the short shuttle between the N-5 station (26 Number Chungi) and the airport is widely reported to keep running round the clock, with buses roughly every 30 minutes through the night. That means even if your flight lands after 10 PM, there is often a way to reach N-5, where the rest of the network has already closed for the night. Because late-night schedules can change, it is smart to confirm with the helpline before a very late journey.
How Often Do Buses Run?
Frequency is one of the Orange Line’s strengths. On the main stretch between Faiz Ahmed Faiz and N-5, buses come every 4 to 6 minutes during most of the day. That is frequent enough that you rarely need to plan around a timetable — just show up at the station and a bus will arrive shortly. During rush hours the service stays just as quick, while very early in the morning or close to closing time the gap between buses can stretch a little.
The N-5 to airport leg runs on its own pattern since it serves flights rather than daily commuters. Buses on this section typically come every 25 to 30 minutes, day and night. If you are connecting from the main stretch, give yourself at least 30 extra minutes for the wait and the ride, especially for an international flight where you need to be at the terminal three hours early.
Fare, Tickets and Travel Tips
The Orange Line fare is typically around Rs 100 for a single trip, and the airport stretch is priced in a similar range. You pay with a Metro Bus Card or a token bought from the ticket office or the vending machines at each station. If you ride often, getting a reusable card saves you the ticket queue every time. Cards and tokens can be purchased at any Orange Line station on the route.
A few practical tips make the trip smoother. Board at Faiz Ahmed Faiz if you are coming from Blue Area, Saddar or Rawalpindi, since the Red Line drops you there and the transfer is simple. Keep your token safe until you exit, because you need it at the turnstile on the way out. And if you have heavy luggage, head for the dedicated airport buses, which have extra space for bags. For any timing doubt on the day of travel, the metro helpline at (051) 111-222-627 can confirm the first and last bus times.
Why Timing Matters for Airport Trips
Missing a bus is a small annoyance on a normal commute, but on the way to the airport it can cost you a flight. That is why it helps to work backwards from your check-in time. For a domestic flight, leave the city at least two and a half hours before departure; for an international flight, make it three and a half hours. With the Orange Line’s early start and frequent service, those margins are easy to keep, and the dedicated corridor means the bus does not get stuck in highway traffic the way a taxi can.